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Italaincar
13th May 2009, 20:35
A recently aquired Freelander TD4 is giving me a lot of hassle. A 5 door only 70k it should be good for a few more miles yet. However its blowing black smoke and misfiring. County Rovers in Taunton have relpaced an injector but think the head gasket has gone [there is an imbalace on No 4 pot] any ideas apart from sell it!
Italaincar
27th May 2009, 21:28
Update - it's still in the garage at County Rovers. Had a new injector but did not cure the problem, so the head has come off ready for a new gasket. It's been pressure tested and given a good clean no problems found. So now waiting for a couple of replacement bolts which were broken when taking the head off. Good job we have another car. Had the Freelander 5 weeks driven 28 miles and spent most of its time being repaired. Buy British ? - never again...
dann
27th May 2009, 21:51
Methodical diagnosis or guesswork paid for by the customer?
Cocky Lil Guy
27th May 2009, 21:52
Sounds like guesswork as they don't have a bloody clue!
Andrex
28th May 2009, 13:14
Buy British ? - never again...

Perhaps you should buy a BMW? After all I am sure one of their engines would never have a problem like this.... :banghead2
PHIL140701
28th May 2009, 18:49
same engines as 3 and 5 series bmws and the rover 75
Blippie
29th May 2009, 11:58
Had the Freelander 5 weeks driven 28 miles and spent most of its time being repaired. Buy British ? - never again...

Is it the British motor industry's fault that you bought a faulty car? What checks/inspection did you do on it before buying it?

Cheers

Blippie
Italaincar
1st Jun 2009, 19:20
I knew it had not been used for a while and needed a service, but thought that was all that was necessary. I have had Italian cars for the last 15 years and after driving at least a quarter of a million miles both UK and Europe, lots of towing a competition car [a Lancia] I have not had any of them break down, never had an engine problem [petrol or diesel] and only fair wear and use replacement parts... say no more.
Italaincar
13th Jun 2009, 20:04
'Dodgy' is now back on the road and apart from a noisy tappet which disapears when the engine reaches operating temperature runs fine. The guys at County Rovers Taunton are pretty good, the bill though quite big was reasonable, half of it was skimming the head and testing done by a specialist shop. The crappy headgasket that was the cause of the problem has been replaced by a better quality item, along with all new bolts and screws. My spare plip fob was re programmed for free as well. Next job - replace the front pads and discs and check why its rather noisy in the cabin at speed, not sure whether its tyre noise or from the transmission or bearings, seems to come from the rear of the vehicle. This will be a DIY effort.
saltireblue
13th Jun 2009, 20:12
OK,

what tyres are you using?
Italaincar
14th Jun 2009, 19:34
Standard L/R 15" alloys with Federals on the front - part worn and Durango on the back nearly new, these have a rather chunky tread pattern. As I will be more on road than off what's recommended?
LovroD
15th Jun 2009, 06:10
wrong answer ... :S
Italaincar
16th Jun 2009, 19:45
Not sure what you mean - what is the right reply....?
jaffo4011
29th Jun 2009, 11:08
Standard L/R 15" alloys with Federals on the front - part worn and Durango on the back nearly new, these have a rather chunky tread pattern. As I will be more on road than off what's recommended?

freelanders are very sensitive to mis matched tyres front and rear.....i would make sure you have the same tyre all the way round the car(and good budgets are fine) and you will no doubt find a big improvement(i did).the handling will feel better too........:rolleyes:
Italaincar
30th Jun 2009, 20:53
Thanks - A new pair of Falkens is going on next week followed by another pair next month. I understand you put them on the rears first?
That's after a re charge of the air con and service - still it's only money!
Llanigraham
1st Jul 2009, 05:37
Correct, new tyres to the rear.
Italaincar
5th Jul 2009, 11:10
Air con recharge was aborted as there is a leak on the high pressure side. No surprise there then. The noise from the back is the rear diff front mount, am half way through replacing it, but a heavy rain shower has halted proceedings! Quite a bit of surface rust underneath, no rot but more than I expected for a car of it's age - a clean up and a good dose of waxoyl is planned. Anyone changed the fuel tank support brackets?