freelander power problem

My 1999 1.8i freelander loses power after 1.5 to 2 hours. Will tick over, but wont pull.

If I leave it for a while, it goes fine for about 30 mins.

I've been told it could be the fuel pump in the fuel tank?????? (£240 plus labour!!!!!).

Any ideas..........

bluebear0_9 said:

I've been told it could be the fuel pump in the fuel tank?????? (£240 plus labour!!!!!).

Any ideas..........

Click to expand...

Someone is stinging you on the price of a fuel pump... stay away from them, change the fuel filter before you change anything else.

I know I have mentioned this many times before in other threads but whats your air filter like?

The K&N filters suffer from heat soak when warm, no reason why standard ones should do anything differently

Also make sure the petrol tank is vented IN properly.
What you describe is the classic symptoms of a tank that is not letting air IN to replace the fuel being drawn OUT. If the tank vent stops working, on a long run the tank goes into a partial vacuum and eventually this builds up enough to stop the lift pump (OH NO!!!) from sucking fuel out of the tank. Fuel starvation results.

When you park up air seeps back in to the tank and after a while she goes again like nothing was wrong.

Next time it happens, pull over quickly, switch off, and leap out to the fuel filler cap. Listen carefully and take it off. If you hear a "WHOOSH" of air it's air going IN to the tank, and you know you HAD a air-vent problem. Now you can sort it.

It happens much more quickly when the tank is filled well up.


CharlesY

nice un charles. . . .

I bought a 1998 1.8 7 months ago. I have also been experiencing loss of power. I took to my local garage who said the computer stated the fuel pipe was blocked. They changed the fuel pipe and cleared the fault. After taking car for a test drive the fault re-appeared. So much has been replaced in my engine, it's practically brand new. They took the computer for testing today to a specialist who said it is a fault on the computer that they can't fix. Going to cost £900 for a new computer. My mechanic is going to try and get me a second hand computer that can be reprogrammed. I have been assured that once this is done the problem will be fixed. I have since found out this was a problem for the last 2 owners but they didn't investigate enough to get the problem resolved.

lae1000 said:

I bought a 1998 1.8 7 months ago. I have also been experiencing loss of power. I took to my local garage who said the computer stated the fuel pipe was blocked. They changed the fuel pipe and cleared the fault. After taking car for a test drive the fault re-appeared. So much has been replaced in my engine, it's practically brand new. They took the computer for testing today to a specialist who said it is a fault on the computer that they can't fix. Going to cost £900 for a new computer. My mechanic is going to try and get me a second hand computer that can be reprogrammed. I have been assured that once this is done the problem will be fixed. I have since found out this was a problem for the last 2 owners but they didn't investigate enough to get the problem resolved.

Click to expand...

And all that might be wrong with it might be fuel tank air vent ...

Simple test - take off the filler cap, and go for a nice long run.

thanks for that advice. The garage have already checked the fuel filter and fitted a new one 2 weeks ago on the service so i am assuming they did it properly. All I know is that this problem is driving me mad and costing me money.

Go with what CharlesY said first, dont spend your money on a new ECU

Had the same problem with outboard engines on RIBs, fuel tank is 30litres and it took around 15min for the vacuum to cause loss of power. Open the fuel cap and all is normal again.

Hippo tank is about 56litres so its possible that lag time between start up and power loss would be increased.

Perhaps some of the forum members with RAVE CD can post pics of the breather system on the hippo

tried the jumping out and listening to the fuel cap thing........ almost sucked my ear off!!!!

How do I fix it??????

FANTASTIC!
Take it for a long run with the fuel cap OFF.
If it drives fine you may have to buy a new fuel filler cap ....
If that cures it, it could have been a whole lot worse.

Who knows about the fuel breather systems on Hippos?

Examination of the fuel filler cap MIGHT reveal some sort of venting thing that is jammed or blocked. It won't be very big .... a big pinhole would easily be enough.

Be sure to keep us informed .... and remind us all, what was the garage going to do at YOUR expense?

CharlesY

following on from my earlier note about my Freelander having the same problem. I am happy to say I have just got back from the garage and my car goes like a dream. I was told all sorts was wrong with it, ECU, Lambd, but it was the valve in the fuel pump that had gone. I have paid £300 +VAT to get a new fuel pump and it has worked wonders. My car has loads of power and you only have to touch the accelorater and it's off. I know it may sound like a lot of money to pay out, but the peace of mind is worth it. When your mechanic tests the fuel pressure it should be at 3.5bar and hold there. If it doesn't it is def. the fuel pump. It should take them around 1hr to fit a new fuel pump and your worries should be over.

Tried all of the above, but no joy..... changed lift pump (under warranty), still working fine after 10000 miles....joy!!