New owner question

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SimonG

New Member
Posts
37
Hi All

I've just bought a Freelander for my wife to replace her lovely (but troubled!) Jeep Cherokee.
We've a year 1999 (V-Reg) 1.8S with the 1.8 engine amd manual gearbox.
Unbeliveably, even though the car is almost 7-yrs old it has only covered 20k miles but has been services annualy (Cambelt replaced at 18k miles).

All looks to be ok with the car, but I've noticed that when in reverse it feels almost like the brakes are engaging - i.e put car in reverse, accelerate, lift off accelerator, and the car doesn't roll - it just stops.
It feels like something's binding as reversing requires more throttle than I'd expect.

Car is fine in all forward gears.

Does anyone have any have any ideas on this - I'm sure it's something simple.
Many thanks

Simon G
 
Hi Simon, welcome to Landy Zone :D
You say the car just stops when you lift off the gas in reverse, I'm assuming you pushed the clutch in too? I know when the steering is on full lock it feels like you're dragging the World with you. Never heard of the car not wanting to roll backwards though.
Maybe LR Guy has heard of this problem. He's our resident Land Rover mechanic ;)
 
Barryh said:
Has the head gasket gone yet?
Click to expand...

Not that I'm aware of !. I've heard that this can be a problem with early ones - Is there anything that can be done to lessen the risk of it going?
Believe Rover brought out an improved gasket kit for the 1.8 engine the put in the Rover 75 .... Did landrover offer anything similar?

The car look like it's hardly been driven - I've been told that that may be becuase it's spent most of it's life in the garage being repaired ;)
Seems to be a clean car, but I need to have an unnatural talent for finding Lemons :(
 
The head gasket has always been a big problem in the Freelander. I had one before my discovery. After 30,000 miles the gasket blew. If it is not under warranty then this could be costly.

Regards

Bazza
 
I think the feeling that the brakes are on is normal just before this turns into a head gasket thread.

I have a brand new TD4 and the sensation is strange when you first experience it, catches me out still, I pull off the drive dip clutch and take out of reverse expecting the car to roll before going into 1st but it stops, so back into reverse etc etc.. I believe it is something to do with the 4 wheel drive set up.

Hope this helps.

P.S. our friends have just had a new engine on a 1.8 W reg, £2K. I think you can get a different thermostat and expansion tank, but others will know more.
 
TASH said:
I think the feeling that the brakes are on is normal just before this turns into a head gasket thread.

I have a brand new TD4 and the sensation is strange when you first experience it, catches me out still, I pull off the drive dip clutch and take out of reverse expecting the car to roll before going into 1st but it stops, so back into reverse etc etc.. I believe it is something to do with the 4 wheel drive set up.

Hope this helps.

P.S. our friends have just had a new engine on a 1.8 W reg, £2K. I think you can get a different thermostat and expansion tank, but others will know more.
Click to expand...

Many thanks :)
Took the car out tonight and although there is still a slight sensation of dragging when reversing in a straight line, it's much more pronounced when turning at the same time. Similar sensation (But much less) when moving forward and turning.

If this sounds normal then I'm happy - I do tend to worry too much about cars :eek:
 
A pro-active suggetstion for you with potential H. Gasket problems would be to undertake the modification which I made to my wife's Freelander 1.8. In the expectation that the HG will go again and to try and catch it before termainal damage caused, fit a sticker on the steering wheel which instructs your wife to "check oil and coolant regularly, watch temp gauge all the time, otherwise your next car will be a maestro" (apologies any Maestro owners). This modification has so far worked successfully.
 
The stalling sensation will be due to your VC unit on the prop shaft. This may be nothing to worry about but on mine it goes fine in reverse and only really locks when the steering it turned. Is yours ok in a straight line?
 
SimonG If this sounds normal then I'm happy - I do tend to worry too much about cars :o[/quote said:
Bet this lot really got you stressed then;) :eek: Head gasket:eek:

The revercey brakey bit is common but nowt to worry yerself about, :D
Welcome to the Forum by the way:p
Click to expand...
 
I've noticed a loud clunk from the rear of the car when applying throttle and turning left. Only seems to do it on left turns - Any idea what could be causing that?
 
Luckily I run about with a guy who has become very familiar with the freelander (he owns his own garage).

I had concerns about "3 point turning" type issues. It is to do with the 4wd being permanent. A lot of 4wd cars push the nose while doing this (my Evo integrale and Panda 4x4 did this) but the Freelander pulls the back end instead and as a result is fond of eating rear tyres. It's like the brakes are on. It should roll however in a straight line or with very little lock on.

As a side he told me head gasket issues have a lot to do with the radiator glogging up regardless of the inhibitors used and to change it (not flush) after about 30K.

Hope this is of use.:)
 
Stuartl said:
As a side he told me head gasket issues have a lot to do with the radiator glogging up regardless of the inhibitors used and to change it (not flush) after about 30K.

Hope this is of use.:)
Click to expand...

That's interesting. I've never heard of changing radiators at 30k miles. Let's hope this saves many head gaskets. I bet a radiator is cheaper than an engine rebuild :rolleyes:
 
marksurry said:
Sounds like the VCU could be at fault. It also sounds expensive :(
Get it checked out ASAP
Click to expand...

Would a VCU really seize on a car with just 20k miles on the clock?
If the VCU has seized would this cause the clunk only when turning?. It doesn't do it in a straight line and doesn't seem to do it turning right. It clunks when giving it gas just after changing into 2nd gear.

I'll do the VCU test and see if wheels can turn - I really hope it's not anything serious. I have a 3-month warranty from the trader, but my experience of such warranties has been disappointing.
Cheers
 
SimonG said:
Would a VCU really seize on a car with just 20k miles on the clock?
Click to expand...

Would a V6 engine blow a head gasket at 36k miles? Mine did :(
Land Rover build quality sucks. I loved mine to bits but it's the only car I've driven that leaves me thinking "will she start today, will she break down"?
 
marksurry said:
Would a V6 engine blow a head gasket at 36k miles? Mine did :(
Land Rover build quality sucks. I loved mine to bits but it's the only car I've driven that leaves me thinking "will she start today, will she break down"?
Click to expand...
Will the Wife make me sell it:p ?

Simon!
It aint certain to be the VCU, But going thro the threads on hear, they certainly do like to chuck the towel in
Regularly. It could be susspension bushes,CV joints Etc ,Etc, But first thing I'd check is the coupling, cos it can cause a lot more damage if its siezed and ignored
 
No probs - I'll check it out.
Fingers crossed !!

Almost forgot to mention one other thing!
I've noticed a slight vibration in the car when the car reaches 40mph. The vibration is not felt through the sterring wheel but through the floor - it disappears again at 45mph and above.
I've checked the rear tyres and the rear drivers-side one seems to be more worn than the others. Interestingly, this weehl is also missing the centre cover (It has steel wheels) so may have been removed by the previous owner.
Maybe this is all related !?

Will feed back to let you know how I get on.
Many thanks :)
 
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