Freelander 1 2001 FR TD4 Auto

JimmyFree · Mar 22, 2021

Hi Everyone,

I will soon be the owner of a 1 owner 2001 Freelander GS TD4 Auto with a staggering 27,000 miles on the clock.

It hasn’t been started for 2 years (since it’s last MOT) and was hoping for a bit of advice before I attempt to start it? I have no mechanical experience (why own a Freelander then ) so a bit unsure of what to look out for. The tyres need replacing which is fine but more concerned about the fluids etc. It’s been kept in a garage if that makes any difference for better or worse.

Thanks in advanced

Jimmy

Nodge68 · Mar 22, 2021

Fluids should be fine, although the fuel will be well past its best.

Just make sure the oil and coolant are up to the MAX marks.

Be aware the battery will likely be dead, unless it's been charged regularly.

The fuel will work, but won't burn clearly, so it's likely to smoke and be down on power, until the oil fuel has been diluted by fresh.

Tyres are absolutely vital to the health of the AWD system on the FL1, so make sure what is on there is pumped up to 30 PSI, but don't drive it fast until it has 4 identical replacement tyres fitted.

JimmyFree · Mar 22, 2021

Nodge68 said:
Fluids should be fine, although the fuel will be well past its best.

Just make sure the oil and coolant are up to the MAX marks.

Be aware the battery will likely be dead, unless it's been charged regularly.

The fuel will work, but won't burn clearly, so it's likely to smoke and be down on power, until the oil fuel has been diluted by fresh.

Tyres are absolutely vital to the health of the AWD system on the FL1, so make sure what is on there is pumped up to 30 PSI, but don't drive it fast until it has 4 identical replacement tyres fitted.

Thanks for the quick response, I had been toying with the idea of taking a new battery with me as I have also heard a few bad stories regarding jump starting them. I’ll just bite the bullet and get one.

Thanks for the advice

andyfreelandy · Mar 22, 2021

Be prepared for the handbrake to be stuck on if it has been applied and left on for 2 years!

Take a block of wood and a big hammer to whack the drums at the rear if it has stuck on. Check front disc calipers for seizure as well.

saxavordian · Mar 22, 2021

Check the hairdryers work okay inside and the supplies of Cosmopolitan magazine still scattered around. Also make sure the radio tuned in to Women hour. If you feel the urge to scream out yooooooooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo as drive off not to worry your a Freelander driver like the rest of us hairdresser. Dear look what you made me do I broke a nail now Make Up Make Up where Make Up.

GrumpyGel · Mar 22, 2021

It may have only done very low miles, but it is 20 years old. Dunno if you know much about its history, but worth reading this...

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/tests-new-freelander-1-owners-should-do-on-their-car.312863/

Tyres have been mentioned, but the VCU should also be checked (point 3). So long as it doesn't feel completely bad, drive it for a little bit to dust the cobwebs off the VCU and make sure the brakes are not sticking before doing the test.

Snaggapuss · Mar 22, 2021

personally I'd change the oils, oil does deteriorate with age and with such a low mileage why risk it.

JimmyFree · Mar 22, 2021

Thanks everyone (even you saxavordian).
Little bit more information has arrived today; a family friend recently passed and this was her husbands car who passed away 4 years ago. She had it MOT’d for 2 years and then left it in the garage for the further 2 years. I’m unsure apart from the MOT if it has been driven in 4 years, the MOT history suggests not. It has been on a trickle charge until October last year and was used during ownership to do the weekly shop. I have received some paperwork today including the original receipt which is a nice token, it shows he part ex’d his 1993 Discovery which at the time had only done 15,000 miles. The hand break is not on which has surprised me but a small bonus. I have a receipt for work to solve a fuel leak which involved changing the fuel lines and also a radiator change?

I don’t really have the desire to spend a lot of money and was hoping the following would suffice; have a MOT knowing it will fail on tyres in case there is something majorly wrong. If not, new tyres and a full service?

JimmyFree · Mar 22, 2021

Oh and in case you’re interested......

GrumpyGel · Mar 23, 2021

Wow, it looks in awesome condition. What a find. I hope you enjoy it and look after it.

Nodge68 · Mar 23, 2021

JimmyFree said:
Oh and in case you’re interested......

Wow. That's in amazing condition.

Look after it, as that's almost a true barn find, and will have a much better value than you might think.

It's got the cruise control too, which isn't a very common option.

JimmyFree · Mar 23, 2021

Nodge68 said:
Wow. That's in amazing condition.

Look after it, as that's almost a true barn find, and will have a much better value than you might think.

It's got the cruise control too, which isn't very a common option.

I have no plans to sell it but I am curious to it’s value. I have struggled to find anything similar to compare it to, what do you think it’s roughly worth?

Nodge68 · Mar 23, 2021

JimmyFree said:
I have no plans to sell it but I am curious to it’s value. I have struggled to find anything similar to compare it to, what do you think it’s roughly worth?

Values are very variable, but an immaculate HSE is worth upwards of £3k. A really low mileage, as new condition GS wouldn't be quite that much on the open market (I could be wrong though) but to a collector, who knows what it's worth. It's definitely worth keeping and pampering, as it'll have another 10 or more years left in it.
That's the sort the thing that @Alibro is looking for, for his EV conversion.

saxavordian · Mar 23, 2021

Take that back what a nice piece of work. Most things are fripperies if garaged and we'll maintained. If the engine not turned over as the gearbox and drivetrain it will be stiff. But with some fresh service it a keeper.

Andy Warren · Mar 25, 2021

Hi, ditto to all the other comments, it looks great I wish I could find one like that. Let us know how it goes.

JimmyFree · Mar 28, 2021

So I met the car for the first time last Friday and took a couple of photos. I absolutely love it.

I know there are many threads discussing tyre sizes but I am finding it difficult to get hold of 195/80/R15, seems a very uncommon tyre size.

Is the battery original?

GrumpyGel · Mar 29, 2021

JimmyFree said:
So I met the car for the first time last Friday and took a couple of photos. I absolutely love it.

I know there are many threads discussing tyre sizes but I am finding it difficult to get hold of 195/80/R15, seems a very uncommon tyre size.

Is the battery original?View attachment 234420 View attachment 234420

I shouldn't think that battery is original - I'd imagine they would have come out with Land Rover branding from the factory so that you are more likely to buy a Land Rover part in future.

I had Goodyear Wrangler 195/80R15 on mine. Went I went to replace them (about 7 yerars ago) I was told that they were discontinued over here.

There were various other options available, but I wasn't going to splash good cash on premium tyres in case I needed a replacement and they were then discontinued! So I went for a budget option and installed GT Radial Maxmiler tyres. They are van tyres sold simply as '195R15' I believe. As they are van tyres, GT Radial say to pump them to 40psi which I do so it gives quick a hard ride and I'm not sure they would be recommended as you're still 4WD - not sure what it would do to the rolling balance front to rear that the VCU has to allow for. They have though been very durable, I've still got them on and only had to replace 2 of them.

A quick google though does show various options - Bridgestone Dueller, Dunlop Grandtrek, Yokohama Geolander - these are all All Terrain, I presume there are Highway tyres available to.

Nodge68 · Mar 29, 2021

JimmyFree said:
So I met the car for the first time last Friday and took a couple of photos. I absolutely love it.

It does look clean, doesn't it.

JimmyFree said:
I know there are many threads discussing tyre sizes but I am finding it difficult to get hold of 195/80/R15, seems a very uncommon tyre size.

There are quite a few on BlackCircles website.
Prices start from under £70ea fitted.
https://www.blackcircles.com/order/tyres/search?width=195&profile=80&rim=15

JimmyFree said:
Is the battery original?

No. LR fitted an LR branded (was a Yuasa IIRC) battery.

JimmyFree · Mar 29, 2021

Thank you for your replies.

I turned the key this afternoon and there was zero response. It did not attempt to turn over and there were no lights. Would this be caused by a flat battery in the key fob or the car battery itself, or both?

Thanks again.

GrumpyGel · Mar 29, 2021

JimmyFree said:
Thank you for your replies.

I turned the key this afternoon and there was zero response. It did not attempt to turn over and there were no lights. Would this be caused by a flat battery in the key fob or the car battery itself, or both?

Thanks again.

It will be the car's main battery, if you put the key in the ignition and turned it (to position 1 or 2?), you should get lights on the dashboard as it does a self test.

You could try charging it and seeing if it will hold charge or get another battery.

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