Newbie with Questions

Hi Newbie here.

No doubt I am going to ask the usual newbie questions but at least your answers will be well rehearsed.

My father has gone away for xmas and has left me with his freelander diesel on a W reg to look after. I have used it occasionally and I find it a pig of a vehicle.

When maneuvering it feels like the brakes are jammed on, when I turn into a junction or go around a roundabout the rear wheels knock and judder as if the wheel is bouncing on the road like the diff is bound up or something.

Other than that it’s fine and actually quite pleasant to drive. Bit thirsty mind and the heater is crap.

Also its not a very good starter in the mornings and takes a lot of winding over to get her to fire up. I suspect the Glow Plugs are knackered any advise or tips before I change them?

Many thanks

SplendiferousII

Splendiferousii said:

Hi Newbie here.

No doubt I am going to ask the usual newbie questions but at least your answers will be well rehearsed.

My father has gone away for xmas and has left me with his freelander diesel on a W reg to look after. I have used it occasionally and I find it a pig of a vehicle.

When maneuvering it feels like the brakes are jammed on, when I turn into a junction or go around a roundabout the rear wheels knock and judder as if the wheel is bouncing on the road like the diff is bound up or something.

Other than that it’s fine and actually quite pleasant to drive. Bit thirsty mind and the heater is crap.

Also its not a very good starter in the mornings and takes a lot of winding over to get her to fire up. I suspect the Glow Plugs are knackered any advise or tips before I change them?

Many thanks

SplendiferousII

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Don't quite know whether you're for real or one of them tractor jokers out for a laugh, but I'll give you the benefit.

Firstly check out your VCU, it sounds like it's well knackered. If so & you continue to use it you'll trash your IRD. Do a search for VCU & IRD & you'll find everything you need to know. Similarly change your glow plugs, make sure your battery is good & start using Millers powersport 4 diesel additive to clean your injectors.

chromiumuk said:

Don't quite know whether you're for real or one of them tractor jokers out for a laugh, but I'll give you the benefit.

Firstly check out your VCU, it sounds like it's well knackered. If so & you continue to use it you'll trash your IRD. Do a search for VCU & IRD & you'll find everything you need to know. Similarly change your glow plugs, make sure your battery is good & start using Millers powersport 4 diesel additive to clean your injectors.

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Un dont fuget ta give daddy the bill !!!:nothingtoadd: :cheer2: :lalala:

:suspicious: does dad know you're messin with his:car:?

Yes he does know. I am a 39 year old mechanical engineer by the way.

Now I am not sure if your taking the micky with your VCU & IRD - I'll do a search.

Anyway worse news now, just had the car in the workshop here at work and thought I'd carry out a resistance test on the glow plugs. I did 1 & 2 as three and four looked rather tricky. Bothe reading 20 ohms, I read on here they should be 7 or 8 So my guess is they are dead. I have some used but decent plugs here so i thought I'd wip one out to see if it matched up. No2 was the clear winner for removal so I started got it about 1 turn out (with working it)and now she is just going round and around. Opps ! Cylinder head off job now.

Although it does not leak and runs ok so it might be trade it in quick like. Will see what I find out when i search the above first.

The explination to Dad is going to be outstanding.....

:scratching_chin: ermm, stick it back on his drive while you still can or you'll be sorry :crutch:

Splendiferousii said:

Yes he does know. I am a 39 year old mechanical engineer by the way.

Now I am not sure if your taking the micky with your VCU & IRD - I'll do a search.

Anyway worse news now, just had the car in the workshop here at work and thought I'd carry out a resistance test on the glow plugs. I did 1 & 2 as three and four looked rather tricky. Bothe reading 20 ohms, I read on here they should be 7 or 8 So my guess is they are dead. I have some used but decent plugs here so i thought I'd wip one out to see if it matched up. No2 was the clear winner for removal so I started got it about 1 turn out (with working it)and now she is just going round and around. Opps ! Cylinder head off job now.

Although it does not leak and runs ok so it might be trade it in quick like. Will see what I find out when i search the above first.

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Cheek.................guess you must be genuine.
The glow plugs should read around 0.7 ohms, not 7 ohms. Altogether they draw around 70 amps current when working properly.

Ah right they are deffo bu%%ered then I guess and No 2 is now thats for sure. I knew some mercedes had problems with the glow plugs sticking in the head but didnt expect it with the freelander, live and learn I guess. Anyway it still runs ok so No 2 glow plug is there to stay for now, I could get it out I guess but would rather not.

What is the cost of a new VCU then? The car has only done 60K and its already had at least one gearbox fitted in that time might be two as dad has had it a while. He has been complaining about the knock from the back for a while and its been in the garage (non LR) and they say its fine.

Click on the link below for some idea of a recon unit. I'd check your old one first.

Test 1. reverse car with steering full lock. Should feel some resistance but should drive ok.

Test 2. jack up one rear wheel & with handbrake off turn it. Should feel tight like brake is half on but should still turn.

Test 3. chalk test. mark a line along the length of the VCU with white chalk or tippex. Go for a short test drive using lots of steering lock. Line between one side of VCU & other should now not line up now otherwise unit is seized.

Plenty of info on here if you search. Also there are rear axle mounts which can deteriorate causing knocking noises.



Genuine Landrover Freelander Viscous Coupling Unit VCU on eBay, also, Land Rover, Car Parts, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 18-Dec-08 14:03:16 GMT)

Many thanks Chromiumuk for taking the time to respond in such detail.

I am aware that I am probably viewed as a flash in the pan poster who is not a “landy” enthusiast and is just using you guys for a one off fix. Its true !

You’re a star !

Splendiferousii said:

Many thanks Chromiumuk for taking the time to respond in such detail.

I am aware that I am probably viewed as a flash in the pan poster who is not a “landy” enthusiast and is just using you guys for a one off fix. Its true !

You’re a star !

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Hey, at least your honest.

Splendiferousii said:

Many thanks Chromiumuk for taking the time to respond in such detail.

I am aware that I am probably viewed as a flash in the pan poster who is not a “landy” enthusiast and is just using you guys for a one off fix. Its true !

You’re a star !

Click to expand...

Yeah.. we know he is..



















Shoooooo.. ye dont have ta tell im!!

Awe Greenie, now I feel even more guilty about not being able to help you.

chromiumuk said:

Awe Greenie, now I feel even more guilty about not being able to help you.

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He He....:bump2: :bounce: :bounce: :tea: