Freelander 1.8 problems !

Hi guys,

So sorry for the long silence. I care for my mother full time, she has advanced dementia and the last few months have been tough for us all.

Anyway, the latest on the Freebie.....

I changed the fuel filter and refitted everything. She now doesn't even fire! The engine spins over fine and the fuel pump can be heard and felt running. I have taken the pump out again and checked it with a 12V supply outside of the car and the pump is definitely running.

I have checked the fuel cut off switch by pressing it down repeatedly and that seems OK, as do all the fuses.

I'm stumped. My change of filter seems to have really caused a problem. Is it possible that the filter isn't sealing correctly on the pump housing and therefore causing a loss of suction? Just grasping at straws now.

Oh, there is no smell of petrol in the engine bay so I'm guessing I am not flooding her, which would indicate that fuel may not be reaching the injectors??? I cannot pull the fuel hose from the injector rail as the taps have dropped off so I cannot release the collet!

Any ideas? Other than scrapping her?

One other thing of interest is that this Freelander was originally registered to Land Rover themselves and its proper registration is very close to a number of vehicles I have seen in LR advertising.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

Andy

I expect the filter isn t sealing correctly. I've had similar problems in the past. I just replace the whole assembly now. I can't be doing, messing about with hit or miss filter changes. You can test the fuel pressure at the fuel rail. I suspect it's not close to the 55 Psi needed.

Have you checked the timing yet? When changing the timing belt it's very easy to get it one tooth out on one pulley but correct on the other so when you're checking it looks like it's maybe half a tooth out. The PO could have been driving with it running rough for a while.

Ok, so....

I bought a second hand, but warranted, complete fuel pump/filter/chamber etc from a dealer on eBay. I fitted it this afternoon and the Freebie starts up again at last.

However, I've still got the original issue that she revs to 4000 rpm then 'misses' and the revs drop off.

A customer was there at the time and he has an obsessive relationship with his Rover 25 1.4 K series. So he had a poke around. He seems the think the coil packs may be dodgy. I bought these brand new from EU car parts and think he might be a tad OCD about things being genuine parts.

His other suggestion was a damaged loom.

I'm back at the workshop on Saturday and will try to see if the timing is set up right.

After that I am stuck. I so want to get this running right and use the Freebie but it's an additional pressure that I could do without at the moment.

Thanks for all the pointers and advice, it really is appreciated.

Andy

Is this (revving to 4000rpm) when you press the accelerator Andy, or is it doing this spontaneously?

If when you reach 4000rpm it starts to miss, it could be a poor spark (dodgy coil packs?), poor HT leads or poor spark plugs. It might also be a cam position sensor fault - a generic OBD2 reader should be able to get you the basic information and error codes you need

Wish I could help but reading through all the suggestions on here I'm out of ideas.
Timing still needs to be eliminated.

Flying Scotsman! said:

Wish I could help but reading through all the suggestions on here I'm out of ideas.
Timing still needs to be eliminated.

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I agree about the timing and if there is any doubt about the timing then there is doubt about the timing belt and/or the tensioner. I'd suggest replacing them along with the water pump should be priority.

Hey folks,

Sorry for the delay, health hasn’t been great.
My osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia have kicked up a notch and I can’t comfortably drive a manual car now. I used to be able to for a few days at a time (been driving an auto as my daily driver for a couple of years due to pain) but now it just hurts too much.
So, I’ve given up on the manual Freelander and put her on eBay. I’ve been totally honest with the description so hopefully someone better placed than me will revive her.

I’ve picked up a 52 plate TD4 auto 5 door. It doesn’t have the leather, sunroof or heated seats of my manual one but at least I can drive it! LOL

I never got round to checking the timing but, as you guys have said, there is very little else it can be. Hopefully an easy fix for whoever gets her.

Thanks for all the help and advice, I really appreciate it.

I’ll post pix of the TD4 soon.

Cheers

Andy

Good luck with the new purchase. If I could persuade SWMBO to drive an auto I'd have one too. I don't know much about the auto gearbox but @Nodge68 is an expert if you need help.

Alibro said:

Good luck with the new purchase. If I could persuade SWMBO to drive an auto I'd have one too. I don't know much about the auto gearbox but @Nodge68 is an expert if you need help.

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Thanks for the referral. I’ve just dropped the TD4 off for a major service and gearbox oil and filter change. The service book is stamped to 61k but she is now at 105k with no evidence of work. Better safe than sorry.

I’ve also picked up a set of black leather heated seats which will help with the aches and pains. The next wish list item is a heated front screen.

Again, thanks for the advice.

andystarks said:

Thanks for the referral. I’ve just dropped the TD4 off for a major service and gearbox oil and filter change. The service book is stamped to 61k but she is now at 105k with no evidence of work. Better safe than sorry.

I’ve also picked up a set of black leather heated seats which will help with the aches and pains. The next wish list item is a heated front screen.

Again, thanks for the advice.

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The box filter can't be changed, without stripping the box casing. Make sure the fluid is suitable too. I like Carlube ATF-U myself, which is a compatible fluid that exceeds the original spec by a huge margin.

Good luck with your new car bud I hope all goes well , I know how frustrating it is when you can not find the answer to the cars prob. But there are some some very knowledgeable and helpful people on here if you have any more questions , my wife has the same condition

A quick update.

New Freelander is great! I love it. So nice to be back in a diesel auto.

I’ve refurbed the black leather seats and fitted them. The heating elements work perfectly! I just connected the plugs under each seat, popped the genuine switches either side of the ashtray (loom plugs were sat waiting for me after I removed the blanks) and hey presto, a warm bum!

About to try and install the cruise control and have also sourced some NOS genuine front driving lights and pods plus some used genuine fog lights.

Really enjoying myself.

Thanks for all the advice and pointers, I really appreciate it.

And a final answer to the cause of the problems with the 1.8 Freelander.

I put it on ebay and the landlord of the workshop I rent bought it! LOL Anyway, he says that the INLET and OUTLET cogs on the side of the engine (driven by cam belt) had been put on the wrong way around. This was throwing the timing out. At least, I think that is what he said. Either way, it now runs beautifully and he is thrilled with it.

I'm glad it has gone to a good home and also very happy it is now running OK. It means it will stay on the road a little while longer, which is good news in my book.

Thanks for listening, advising and reading this thread. I've now moved on to my TD4 auto 2002 GS which I am gently upgrading to the best spec I can.

Andy

andystarks said:

And a final answer to the cause of the problems with the 1.8 Freelander.

I put it on ebay and the landlord of the workshop I rent bought it! LOL Anyway, he says that the INLET and OUTLET cogs on the side of the engine (driven by cam belt) had been put on the wrong way around. This was throwing the timing out. At least, I think that is what he said. Either way, it now runs beautifully and he is thrilled with it.

I'm glad it has gone to a good home and also very happy it is now running OK. It means it will stay on the road a little while longer, which is good news in my book.

Thanks for listening, advising and reading this thread. I've now moved on to my TD4 auto 2002 GS which I am gently upgrading to the best spec I can.

Andy

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Sorry mate, I should have suggested that as it happened to me once. Only difference was the car wouldn't start at all.
Glad to hear it's sorted now though, even if someone else has it now.