New Freelander Owner

Hi, I've not long bought a 2000 Freelander 1 1.8 petrol.

It has just over 80k miles on the clock and comes with a full main dealer service history (12 stamps). The last service being Aug 2013.

I contacted the dealer to enquire what has been done to the car over the years and whilst it has been serviced every year, it appears the timing belt, vcu and head gasket etc. have never been replaced. In fact, other than being serviced and having the brakes etc done, it would appear that the car has never had anything major done. Not sure if this is a good or a bad sign.

I'm not particularly mechanically minded but the car runs and drives well, apart from a slight rough idling when the car is started. It's not bad but it is noticeable. The car is not losing coolant and there is no oily residue in/on the surface of the water.

My questions are as follows:

Whilst I don't want to spend money I don't have to, should I do things like the head gasket when the car runs fine and has no issues?

Also, I live in Paisley (just outside Glasgow) and would be good to know some reasonably priced local mechanics who know their way round a freelander?

Finally, when I bought the car the rear tailgate handle had been replaced as the original was damaged? My key doesn't turn in the lock and I'm not sure if it should given that the handle came off another car. Would replacing the handle include replacing the actual lock meaning my key is useless? I'm scared to force too much in case the key snaps but it could possibly be seized up inside.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer.

Regards,

Gary.

dont replace the hg until yu need to.
changing the real lock will mean yo key doesnt work.

is the VCU still in place?

Thanks for your reply.

The VCU is still in place (to my knowledge).

do the one wheel up test and look through the CFAQ section. everything yu need to know is in there.

Thanks very much, I'll do that.

Press the accelerator at start up only in cold temperatures - this might be the cause of your rough idling if you are doing otherwise.

Having driven 250 miles over the last couple of day in a 1.8 petrol, it is a cracking lively unit.

The one I'm driving is also converted to 2wd, and it is very lively through the steering wheel as well. Not so good as in the cold wet weather in the south east, the car doesn't feel as planted as my TD4. It has 17" General adventurer tyres on it.

Alltmor said:

Finally, when I bought the car the rear tailgate handle had been replaced as the original was damaged? My key doesn't turn in the lock and I'm not sure if it should given that the handle came off another car. Would replacing the handle include replacing the actual lock meaning my key is useless? I'm scared to force too much in case the key snaps but it could possibly be seized up inside.

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Hi Gary, it's probably worth knowing that the lock in the back door only operates the window anyway. You can't actually unlock the vehicle with it.

MY 2000 should have had the upgraded oil rail and re-sited thermostat fitted as far as I recall.

If it were mine, I'd do the cam belt.

+1
Good call

+2 on the cam belt
Check the coolant weekly and get any sudden drop in level investigated straight away.

Thanks everyone, definitely getting the cam belt done.

Read somewhere that idling issues can be due to a coil. Also, would it be worth while paying someone to link it up to a diagnostic machine to flag any potential issues. I've always had brand new cars and whilst I'm loving the Freelander I'm constantly worrying that it's going to blow up or something!

What is a decent lifespan for a 1.8 petrol model?

about 3 days after any warranty runs out

Alltmor said:

What is a decent lifespan for a 1.8 petrol model?

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Depends of you use it or not...

Alltmor said:

What is a decent lifespan for a 1.8 petrol model?

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Mines a 98 and coming up 123K, Its had a few owners so I dont know if there have been HG or VCU issues with it ...nowt on the service paperwork anyway - very regular water/oil level checks and monthly vcu checks keep her happy