You are lucky (in some ways). I lived in Europe for a little over 30 years. I'll be 59 later this year. So I do have the experience in living on both sides of the "big pond". Over here, I have 140 acres (plus THOUSANDS of acres behind my property, "owned" by the government), that I can ride...

I thought that "AA" must be akin to our "AAA" (Automobile Association of America), but I was not sure. I am a member of AAA. Only for one reason,.....renewal of the registration! If you would know what DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) looks like in CA, you would understand! It's not like this...

Driving the crap out of it WILL help. Changing the plugs/oil,.....definitely. But DO NOT take it to the testing station before you get it nice and HOT. Drive it at least for ten miles or so, with the tach at 2500 or more, before you show up at the testing station.

I think the Freelander would be suitable for your intended use. However,.....don't for a minute get sidetracked believing that you have "full fledged" 4X4! As other said,....it's ALL WHEEL DRIVE vehicle, and only part time at that. Even the term "all wheel", is a lot of times misunderstood...

I can understand this, but...... NO inspection can predict future. Parts DO fail without the warning sometimes. One is well advised to familiarize himself with "known" or "inherited" problems the marque might have. Have a knowledgeable person inspect it, looking specifically into "areas of...

ABSOLUTELY! Never drive straight to the testing station. Up and down the freeway, maintaining about 2500RPM or more. I have a 1995 GMC Sierra with 83K on the clock. Bought it used from the state, and I use it ONLY to go and get the horse feed (3 miles away) three times a month. Some light ranch...

You are LUCKY! (not just the OP, but ALL of you in UK!) If this happened over here, the dealer would put his hand on the Bible, and swear that he sold you the vehicle in "perfect" (unaltered) condition, and that YOU (or someone you contracted) removed the shaft, and VCU. It would be up to YOU to...

I don't think temp sensor has anything to do with it. I'll give you MY opinion, and remember, I am a half a world away, with no possibility to put my hands on your car, and check for myself. I am going on only what I read in your post (symptoms). At least the smoke machine verified that all...

If you need a project, something to keep you busy, and the total "investment" is still under average retail (personally I don't buy ANYTHING at retail), ....go for it. I just resurected the 02 V6 for the wife, and I'm in it for 5K US. That's about a grand more than the average asking price in my...

The pillar damage would not scare ME from it. It all depends how much cash you have to part with. IF the negotiated price + ALL recon work = >80% of the "wholesale value" in your area, I'd do it. It's all about the math. IF you end up with the different formula ......negotiated price + recon...

I didn't see that one! Basically,...the smoke machine "fogs" up the whole engine bay, and IF there is a vacuum leak, the smoke will be sucked into the system, and easily seen. It could be dried out hose (at the clamp), loose clamp, pinhole in the hose, or a split.

Blazer is about the same as my GMC Sierra 2500 (truck I use to pull horses). It gets about 10mpg unloaded, and about 6mpg with horse trailer (four horses at the time). UK trained mechanics WOULD make a mint over here. However,......American mentality is not in tune. MOST of the people are...

THAT's why I joined this forum! You guys keep them running, and know how. The Yanks wrote them off long ago, and you can drive for DAYS without seeing another one on the road. But if you check the Craigslist or Autotrader, they are trying to unload them as fast (and as cheap) as possible...

The CHEAP one of course! I smoke "Monte Christo", and since I live over here (and "our" government hating Cuban), I pay dearly to get them from Canada. Politics at your finest. Makes me sick.

THIS IS encouraging! These Hippos CAN do the mileage, if one is on the top of EVERYTHING. My wife's Hippo has 95K on the clock, and I want at least another 100K with spare engine and tranny.:cool:

Your next check point should be the shrader valve under load. I suspect the fuel delivery, either due to the electrical problem, or the pump itself.

If you look on Youtube, some people do it while smoking the cigar! There IS a "smoke machine" that some garages have (I think it's easier to use than the cigar, considering the fans, and the airflow generated by the belts and pulleys). Basically,.....you "blow smoke" all over the vacuum...

I would start with smoke test first, to find the possible vacuum leak. If that's OK, gas pedal switch, throttle position switch, and ECM. In that order.

Maybe I was misunderstood. 'Inventing' something new, and needed is great. "Fixing something that ain't broken" is a waste of time/money. With plenty of time, welding/mechanical skills ANYTHING can be done. Like this pic I attached, made from the Ford Exursion! In the case of Hippo, the...

I just went through this (and I hope it's over!). At first it was randomly. And if you turn the car off (even while rolling!), and turn it back on, F4 disappears for a while. Sometimes for 20-30 miles, and sometimes for 100 yards. The code was P1717 (low clutch solenoid). After I sprayed the...