Freelander 1 TD4 OIL ISSUE

Hi All, so here's the issue. 2005 Freelander TD4 done 100 000 miles. Had the car serviced 6 weeks ago so oil change and new filter. Have done 1000 miles since then. Drove it for 20 miles yesterday. At my destination saw oil on the floor. Looking in the engine bay LOTS of oil around, mainly in the area of the filter but hard to tell exactly where it's come from. Checked the dip stick and there was still plenty of oil in there so not a total loss of oil. Have taken it to the local garage and they have effectively said they don't know what the problem is. I'd suggested the crank case breather filter as a possible cause but the garage didn't think it was that. That garage did say it might be a trajectory? problem and have suggested sending the car 50 miles away to another garage who deals with diesels. Feel a bit let down by the local garage to be honest and don't want a huge tow bill so wondered if there were any suggestions here. I will get the car back this afternoon and will post some photos as they may help. Cheers in advance. Rikky

Crankcase breather is the likely cause. It has a lamb's wool filter that clogs if not changed annually. When it clogs, oil is forced up the dipstick tube.

I suggest you find a garage that can actually service a TD4 engine correctly. A correct service is much more than an oil and filter change.

Thanks for the reply. As there hasn't been any other problem ie no loss of power, no smoke I'm hoping it is a simple as the breather filter. (By the way the service was more than the oil/filter, I just wanted to mention these items for this post). I've attached 2 photos to show where the oil has covered. Since posting I got the car back, still plenty of oil in the car. Have topped up and revved engine and no further leaks observed. As an aside can I just replace the lambs wool filter or would you advise the mod many have mentioned? Cheer and thanks again.........Rikky

If it is not the PCV filter then check that when they replaced the oil filter seal that it was re-fitted into the right section on the filter, I have seen it many times the O-ring is fitted into the wrong place.

Thanks for that. Oil filter ring looks ok so it's on with the breather filter change....................cheers

Just a quick update on this problem. I did replace the breather filter (the old one was so clogged it was more like a seal than a filter! and suspect it hadn't been changed for quite some time) and also the air filter while I had the covers off. Bit fiddly to get the back bolts off/on but otherwise a fairly easy job. Pleased to report that SO FAR, 150 miles or so, the problem has been solved...............once again a big thanks to those that gave advice and also the wider forum for the bank of knowledge on here.....cheers. Rikky

Good to hear. I often help out local mates by servicing or doing odd jobs on their Freelanders. All have been maintained by normal garages and the breather is never changed.

Oddly enough, the breather is not mentioned in the official RAVE service schedule either. Anyway, now you know - change the filter with each oil change, or get a BMW cyclone unit and forget about it.

Thanks. Seems odd that it's overlooked as when the oil leaks it does seem like there's a major problem ahead...........cheers

It is in the service schedule for Freelander 1

td4van said:

It is in the service schedule for Freelander 1

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Not in the RAVE service checklist. Where have you found it?

Apologies not on RAVE which hasn't been updated since 2005

It's on the latest service sheets available from TOPIx the online replacement for RAVE

td4van said:

Apologies not on RAVE which hasn't been updated since 2005

It's on the latest service sheets available from TOPIx the online replacement for RAVE

Click to expand...

Never heard of Topix. It looks like you have to be an actual garage to get access - is this the case?

No anyone can access it - combination of free information and pay information

www.landrovertechinfo.com