Freelander 2 TD4 'Misfiring' at random!

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Spikebailey666

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7
My FL2 TD4 (2007 plate) has developed something similar to a 'misfire' which worried me at first but has now started to just really annoy. It can happen at anytime i.e. rain or shine, motorway or B road, low revs or high, cold or warm; I will be happily driving along and suddenly there is a sharp jerk as the engine seems to lose power for a split second and then continues as if nothing happened, no warning lights or detectable after effects. Recently whilst driving from Cornwall to London it did it repeatedly (with a few minutes between each occurrence) for about 20 mins then stopped. The next day it did it at the end of my street once then didn't do it again for a week.

I reckon this has been occurring since the last service but couldn't swear to it. Recently it was in the local dealers having a 'free brake check' and I asked them to check it out; they found nothing untoward in the computer or with the car. The only other issue that may be connected is that last winter I noticed it started poorly in sub-zero temperatures i.e. it was lumpy for the first few seconds with a bit of smoke but then cleared itself.

So does anyone know what's going on or what I could check?

Many thanks in advance.
 
I was using supermarket fuel but stopped some time ago as I thought it may be the problem; lately I have been using Shell or BP standard grades. Car has done 58k and only a few thousand since the last service.
 
had this 2 weeks ago, filled up with esso in Dartford as normal, drove all the way to Lancaster with no problems, went like a train all the way.

As it was down to half a tank, I filled it back up at a BP garage in Lancaster ready for the journey home. At this point it was tipping down with horrendous weather, and so began the journey home, which took an additional 2 hours because of the weather and traffic, but it ran like an absolute pig, wouldn't pull cleanly, full throttle would induce a missing on at least one cylinder.

As it was tipping and I had the little people in the car, I gently carried on home.

My wife then filled it up again back at esso, and it's back to normal again. Can only assume some moody fuel, which was BP.

Been fine for 2 weeks now.
 
We had a vw toureg 4x4 at work a while back that did the same it showed nowt on diagnostics. This went on for weeks in the end it turned out to be a failing injector!!!
 
Could be glow plugs causing some of the issues as well as a stuck egr valve?

Was it a Land Rover Main dealer you took it to?

I thought the glow plugs only get used when it's really cold?

What is an EGR valve? (Exhaust Gas Recirculation; just googled it).

Yes I took it to the main stealer.
 
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had this 2 weeks ago, filled up with esso in Dartford as normal, drove all the way to Lancaster with no problems, went like a train all the way.

As it was down to half a tank, I filled it back up at a BP garage in Lancaster ready for the journey home. At this point it was tipping down with horrendous weather, and so began the journey home, which took an additional 2 hours because of the weather and traffic, but it ran like an absolute pig, wouldn't pull cleanly, full throttle would induce a missing on at least one cylinder.

As it was tipping and I had the little people in the car, I gently carried on home.

My wife then filled it up again back at esso, and it's back to normal again. Can only assume some moody fuel, which was BP.

Been fine for 2 weeks now.

Yes I did wonder if I had moody fuel but then this has been going on for months now and i've filled up in numerous places and with numerous companies. Sounds like you had a one off.
 
We had a vw toureg 4x4 at work a while back that did the same it showed nowt on diagnostics. This went on for weeks in the end it turned out to be a failing injector!!!

This has the feel of something similar; I feel resigned to driving it until it gives out one day which is not 'ideal'. I had speculated on a dicky pump or some other part of the fuel delivery system so your suggestion fits with this.
 
It's going to drive you mad, stick a tin of BG244 in the tank, fuel system cleaner, before you think about new injectors. May take a couple of hundred miles to notice anything but a fraction of the cost of swapping out injectors.
 
This has the feel of something similar; I feel resigned to driving it until it gives out one day which is not 'ideal'. I had speculated on a dicky pump or some other part of the fuel delivery system so your suggestion fits with this.

Have you had any success in finding the problem?
I have had the same for a few weeks now, been serviced had new filter fitted and fuel cleaner added and the problem disappeared for a few days then yesterday on the way back from the garage (fan belt pulley change) it stopped altogether and would not start. Having left it for 5 mins turned it over and initially very lumpy and misfiring it started. Limped home and as I slowed down to stop it packed up again as I coasted onto my drive. 86K on the clock 57 plate.
Message appeared in display, I think I read "engine reduced power" anyone any more ideas?
 
Have you had any success in finding the problem?
I have had the same for a few weeks now, been serviced had new filter fitted and fuel cleaner added and the problem disappeared for a few days then yesterday on the way back from the garage (fan belt pulley change) it stopped altogether and would not start. Having left it for 5 mins turned it over and initially very lumpy and misfiring it started. Limped home and as I slowed down to stop it packed up again as I coasted onto my drive. 86K on the clock 57 plate.
Message appeared in display, I think I read "engine reduced power" anyone any more ideas?

Back from the garage now and so far so good.
The misfire and engine stallonly happened when the ehgine had reached normaloperating temprature from cold, about 20-30 minutes on the drive. (did not want to drive anywhere in case of breakdown.
First recovery guy could find no fault codes and called recovery truck. He said it may be the crankshaft sensor as the expansion from heat causing somthing to jam (pinion i think he said.
Anyway, garage changed the sensor, and then had to be recovered during the test drive. off to an auto electrician who diagnosed and changed the wiring loom to the crankshaft sensor.
£600 later it seems to be OK.:amen:
 
I've had this problem for around the last 10,000 miles on my 12 plate TD4.

A total of 16 days in the main dealer, until LR came clean. They said they were aware of the problem and there is no fix! They said that they were working on it, but there no promises as to when it might be fixable. They have helped me trade it for another....
 
Hello, sorry for bringing an old thread up. But has anyone managed to solve this? Today I noticed exactly what is described above - cruising down the road, and suddenly a sharp jerk for less than a second. After that, car continues as nothing happened, no faults, no nothing. Had this for 4 times during a 2 hour trip. I will try to add some injector cleaner in fuel tank, with a hope that it works. But if enyone else has solved this, I would be very happy to hear it.
 
Thank you Nodge for reply. Since it is only 15 quid, I will order it together with injector cleaner and replace it. I will post an update.

I'd avoid budget sensors, as I've heard life can be limited.
Go for a sensor from a reputable manufacturer, rather than a no name sensor off ebay.
 
I'd avoid budget sensors, as I've heard life can be limited.
Go for a sensor from a reputable manufacturer, rather than a no name sensor off ebay.
Sure thing, I tend to never go for cheap parts. The reason why I get very sweet prices is that we order a lot of expensive parts for agricultural equipment, therefore we have a special discount from distributor. I ordered Valeo, 18 EUR, should be here tomorrow.
 
Replaced the crank sensor this morning, very easy to do, took me aroung 5 minutes. Took it for a test drive- everything seemed fine, but then again - the missfire or a jerk usually doesn't happen very often. I will take it for a 2 hour trip today, and post an update afterwards
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