I have had a very rough intro to the world of the freelander. Bought a 2001 1.8 ES on Friday, seemed good, no unusual noises, starts well, drives nicely, lovely and clean. Saturday the casing of rear section of the viscous coupling completely sheared off and ended up spinning around the propshaft. The dealer has agreed to repair but is there anything else I need to look for. Also someone has told me that you can run the freelander without the propshaft fitted. Is this correct?

Cheers

Make sure the dealer replaces the whole VCU with a genuine new one and doesn't just bodge the old one back together.
Yes, you can run with the rear prop removed - do a search for "Mondo Mode".






However, if I were you, I'd try to use your problem as a reason to get a full refund on the heap of poo that you've bought. If you really must have a gaylander, at least get a TD4!

Cheers for that......I think

You'll have to excuse my ignorance but is there anywhere on here that can guide you through removing the rear prop step by step.

I partly agree with T90 in that the diesel engines are a lot more reassuring than the K-series petrol engine that was made but Rover Powertrain and put in the Rover 200/25 & 400/45, LR Freelander, MGF and Lotus Elise. By 2001 they werer well aware of the head gasket failure but you should watch the oil and water levels like a hawk.

You can remove the propshaft/vcu but you end up with "Mondo mode" - a two wheel drive car and it doesn't handle as well IME.

Definatley agree with T90 - ask to see the dealer's proof that a genuine, complete VCU has been used, replacement not a repair.

Cheers

Blippie