Freelander Woes

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Highland Farmer

New Member
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3
Location
Highlands
I have had problems with my Freelander Td4 ES Y reg since i got it. We bought it auction at around 95k mile mark. The guy that bought it for me had problems almost immediately and it turned out to be an injector which was replaced. It then ran fine for about a year engine wise but in that time had the VCU replaced. Anyway after a year of ownership had probelms with engine juddering when accelerating and losing power. Got the probelm looked at when getting vehicle serviced at a good local garage, they cleaned the EGR valve but couldn't come up with anything else. The problem got generally worse and eventually engine stopped itself and engine light came on. Got it looked at by a 4x4 Landrover Specialist who had a diagnostics kit. It was clear that another injector was causing problem. That was changed and drove off happily until on the way home same thing happened again. Managed to get back to garage and this time they replaced fuel rail pressure switch. It then ran ok for 3 months when problem reappeared and engine stopped so got towed to garage where this time they replaced the fuel rail pressure plug. This time around i realised that although original problem was still there i can drive around locally and on the farm etc and get away with it. Its only when i go on a long drive i.e. 40 miles that problem gets steadily worse and worse whilst driving and then engine warning light comes on and engine stops. Then when you try and start it again engine just ticks over and over but doesn't start. Occassionally it does but only for a second or two then stops again. Interestingly if you leave it for a hour or so or overnight, then the engine will start fine and you can drive about again. Also have noticed that sometimes on tickover engine revs will go up and down by itself. Not sure if i want to put it back to that garage again as they have had 3 bites at the cherry, neither do i want to try the local Landy Dealer, have dealt with them before and don't have much time for them. I know this sounds like an essay but i wanted to include everything. Has anybody got any ideas?
Also back window doesn't come down at all now and none of the switches for back window work - i think this was my fault after opening it on a cold night when it had frozen, anyway thats a different matter and not as important.
However as a vehicle the Freelander has been fantastic and does everything asked of it on the farm and is so comfortable compared to our Defender. Also great on long journeys.
 
I have had problems with my Freelander Td4 ES Y reg since i got it. We bought it auction at around 95k mile mark. The guy that bought it for me had problems almost immediately and it turned out to be an injector which was replaced. It then ran fine for about a year engine wise but in that time had the VCU replaced. Anyway after a year of ownership had probelms with engine juddering when accelerating and losing power. Got the probelm looked at when getting vehicle serviced at a good local garage, they cleaned the EGR valve but couldn't come up with anything else. The problem got generally worse and eventually engine stopped itself and engine light came on. Got it looked at by a 4x4 Landrover Specialist who had a diagnostics kit. It was clear that another injector was causing problem. That was changed and drove off happily until on the way home same thing happened again. Managed to get back to garage and this time they replaced fuel rail pressure switch. It then ran ok for 3 months when problem reappeared and engine stopped so got towed to garage where this time they replaced the fuel rail pressure plug. This time around i realised that although original problem was still there i can drive around locally and on the farm etc and get away with it. Its only when i go on a long drive i.e. 40 miles that problem gets steadily worse and worse whilst driving and then engine warning light comes on and engine stops. Then when you try and start it again engine just ticks over and over but doesn't start. Occassionally it does but only for a second or two then stops again. Interestingly if you leave it for a hour or so or overnight, then the engine will start fine and you can drive about again. Also have noticed that sometimes on tickover engine revs will go up and down by itself. Not sure if i want to put it back to that garage again as they have had 3 bites at the cherry, neither do i want to try the local Landy Dealer, have dealt with them before and don't have much time for them. I know this sounds like an essay but i wanted to include everything. Has anybody got any ideas?
Also back window doesn't come down at all now and none of the switches for back window work - i think this was my fault after opening it on a cold night when it had frozen, anyway thats a different matter and not as important.
However as a vehicle the Freelander has been fantastic and does everything asked of it on the farm and is so comfortable compared to our Defender. Also great on long journeys.
In general they are good though they do have all the problems you have listed and more to go with them. Mines a pain in the butt. Though it does 300 mile journeys regulary and with ease. Most parts should have been left original, manual and without circitary. Regards jon.
 
Problem is getting worse. Have not driven car for a while and have left it in town hoping to get a specialist to fix it. Took it for a wee spin to local dealer to see what they would offer (not very much), anyway on way home conked out again and had to be towed home again. Therefore problem is not just happening on long journeys it is on short ones too.
 
you may have a couple of faults here,,
engine not starting when warm = this fault sounds very much like the cam shaft sensor is failing, its quite a common problem, easy to replace ,
engine cutting out on a run, = my first choice would go for the fuel pump

both there faults are quite common to the td4 engine ,
 
Although this isn't directly relevant to this case, I was talking to an ex BMW bodyshop manager recently & he said that the BMW mechanics he used to work with, reckon that the fuel filter should be changed every 24,000 miles instead of the 60,000 that BMW & Landrover recommend. I wonder if partially clogged filters put some extra strain on the fuel pumps - who knows, but I bet all you guys change yours more frequently. Also he confirmed that the crankcase breather filter was well known about by the same mechanics. I just changed mine on my TD4 (03 plate 53,000miles) & what a difference. The old one was totally gummed up like tar & the car ran a lot better after. Finally I fitted an egr bypass sourced off ebay, very professionally made & it made a big difference to the performance & responsiveness. Great forum guys.
 
Re: Freelander Woes

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im a diesel fitter for the cost of fuel filters regardless of what the book says i change mine evry 6 mths , 24000 miles is about 2 years motoring thats a long time for diesel filters



That seems good advice, I think I'll change mine more regularly too. Thanks for that.
 
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