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Freelander Maintenance and Repair

281 messages,  Last post on Nov 21, 2009 at 10:22 AM

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#209 of 281 Freelander Overheating/coolant loss fix by jax290 Jan 29, 2009 (10:01 pm)
I had the same problem many of you have had with my Freelander overheating. I purchased my Freelander new in 2002. To date I have few problems with it outside of the coolant loss. As with most overheating problems I always start with the easiest and least expensive fix. I replaced the thermostat. I found that this was a "dealer only part", like almost everything on this vehicle. The thermostat is encased in a plastic housing with two intake ports, one port feeding directly into the engine block and one feeding to the water pump for a total of 4 ports. A second plastic tube installs directly adjacent to the thermostat housing feeding a separate coolant flow. Both the thermostat and coolant tube are a plug in design, with a single 10mm bolt holding both in place. The engine block ports on both parts are held in place with a single O ring, and the bolt only stabilizes both units jointly without holding them stationary. Here in lies the problem. Neither unit is securely held against the engine block, so vibration can cause the O ring seals to allow fluid to escape by and out of the system. I replaced my Thermostat and coolant tube with a new unit, and still had the coolant leakage problem, I took the thermostat out and installed it twice without successfully resolving the leakage problem. So, I purchased from NAPA a product called "Right Stuff", a rubberized gasket compound and essentially glued the parts into their proper locations. This cured the leakage at this location. Now I had to deal with the coolant reservoir cap failure. The cap is designed to hold pressure to 16psi, apparently LandRover found that the 2002 model reservoir cap was faulty, so they do not make a replacement. I had to buy a new tank and cap. Bottom line, the above fix cured my coolant leakage and overheating problem. Those of you who still have coolant leakage problems might consider doing the same thing I did, or your engine overheating problem could result in a warped head and coolant leakage into the oil system, as so many have mentioned prior. Hope this helps. Replies to this message: driver68 (Mar 09, 2009 3:39 pm) winezealott (Mar 10, 2009 7:42 am)
#210 of 281 Re: Update [winezealott] by bernie25 Feb 01, 2009 (10:49 am)
Replying to: winezealott (Jan 12, 2009 3:41 pm) I also have a coolant leak, the dealer says they can't find it. It is apparently leaking into the engine, is this a common problem? Replies to this message: sripley (Feb 01, 2009 11:53 am) jax290 (Feb 02, 2009 1:18 am)
#211 of 281 Coolant Leak- - re: bernie25 by sripley Feb 01, 2009 (11:53 am)
Replying to: bernie25 (Feb 01, 2009 10:49 am) Yes, the coolant leak into the engine is the Head Gasket Failure issue widely reported. The problem you are experiencing is a terminal-catastrophic vehicle failure issue and you seriously need to consider trading in the vehicle and I do not recommend spending any money whatsoever on trying to repair it. The dealer will say only a replacement engine will fix it, the problem with that is the engines were discontinued and any refurbished engine from a salvage yard, etc would have the same design flawed engine resulting in another failure, at a cost of $7000-$9000.   The above poster is correct that certain head gasket repair compounds such as Blue Devil and similiar products have on certain occasion corrected the problem temporarily, however those products will result in failure of the thermostat if not properly dont by a licensed mechanic. Blue Devil will also not cure any of the related issues with the gasket failure, such as warped piston head and the further emulsification of the coolant and oil which inevitably will result in the overheating issue as the gasket leak becomes a complete failure, the final failure having engine oil completely fill up your coolant overflow cannister and throughout the radiator system.   I do not recommend the gasket repair products, as they may temporarily correct the problem, but even state on the product cannister results may only last 6 - 12 months. Your best bet is to trade in the vehicle or discuss selling/legal or credit options to rid yourself of the Freelander. I understand a previous poster was successful in temporarily curing the gasket failure but it is like putting glue on broken cork, inevitably it will fail again.   Good luck.
#212 of 281 Re: Update [bernie25] by jax290 Feb 02, 2009 (1:18 am)
Replying to: bernie25 (Feb 01, 2009 10:49 am) If it is in fact leaking into the engine a quick check is: remove the oil filler cap and check the underside of the cap. If you have a glob type gray matter, somewhat like snot, then you most likely have a head gasket failure. This is most commonly caused by an overheated engine. If you haven't overheated the engine, and you don't have crud under the cap, then most likely the leak is what I discribed, and the is the same as I indicated. What I didn't mention was that the part of the thermostat that inserts into the engine block and the second tube were badly decayed when I removed the old ones. A quick check to see if the leak was the same as I discribed is: remove the air filter cover, that big plastic cover on the engine. If you look with a flashlight down between the intake tubes you can see a flat part of the engine block, with a black tube going from the thermostat housing to the back of the water pump. Directly under that system you will see either fluid or crud from evaporated coolant. If you have this then your thermostat system is leaking, and it needs to be fixed.
#214 of 281 2004 Freelander maintanence and repairs by cwoolner Feb 02, 2009 (4:50 pm)
I have a 2004 Freelander SE, bought brand new off the lot in 04. I currently have about 54k miles on it and in the last week have noticed coolant leaking, causing the over heating light to come on. I have read on this forum about the 2002 and 2003 problems, but I'm not reading much about the 04 model having the same problems. I have it in the shop now being looked at and waiting to hear what the verdict is. My question is... can any one tell me if the 04 model is doomed to what appears to be a major quality issue with the earlier models? While I'm here... is it common for the rear differential to go bad at 52k miles? I had that fixed about 2 months ago. I want to figure out how much more $$ to put into this thing or if I should off load it sooner than later. Thanks! Replies to this message: smithspeech (Feb 04, 2009 9:24 pm) awise003 (Apr 13, 2009 11:05 am)
#215 of 281 Re: freelander transmission [wildrover] by cwoolner Feb 03, 2009 (11:48 am)
Replying to: wildrover (Dec 15, 2006 8:59 am) I am in for any lawsuit that can be filed. I live in MI, own a 2004 Freelander SE with 54k miles on it and was bought new off the lot in 2004. The rear differential went out 2 months ago (replaced for $385) and currently in the shop for a thermostat issue... $630 to get fixed. Of course the warranty was up at 50k. I will be looking to offload BEFORE the tranny issues start. Hopefully I can get a decent trade in for it...still owe $$ of course! Replies to this message: sicntired (Apr 30, 2009 4:13 pm)
#216 of 281 Re: 2004 Freelander maintanence and repairs [cwoolner] by smithspeech Feb 04, 2009 (9:24 pm)
Replying to: cwoolner (Feb 02, 2009 4:50 pm) I bought a brand new 2004 Freelander and it started leaking coolant at 61,000 miles. The service department at my dealership could not find the cause, They told me to add the orange Dexol or whatever. I did so and it helped for awhile. Then it got worse. I brought it to a local service station and they found a small crack in the water pump. They said that the crack was in a weird place (it was probably a flaw in the manufacturing, in my opinion). I had the water pump replaced and so far I've added 16,000 miles and it's been fine. I just had to add a little bit of the coolant but not more than 8 ounces mixed with water, of course, after about 10,000 miles. So far, so good. I've had two door latches replaced over the years and just recently the plenum intake and the wire harness (it's had electrical quirks since I bought it). It drives well and is very comfortable so I'm sticking with it for now. I hope to get at least 100,000 miles plus (at least until 2011). Replies to this message: awise003 (Apr 13, 2009 11:05 am)
#217 of 281 Re: whoa, does anyone out there have a good Freelander except me? [hreville by kpence Feb 09, 2009 (9:08 am)
Replying to: hreville (Apr 10, 2007 11:44 am) Hello All, Is there any new news about a class action law suit? I will join one if there is one filed. I am actually going to Carmax today to see if they will buy my 2002 Freelander for anything reasonable. I don't drive it anymore since getting the engine replaced among all of the other repairs for fear of the replacement engine going out and the thing being worth nothing at all. Anyone having any luck selling to Carmax? Kim
#218 of 281 Fuel Pump Recall by mpw3 Feb 23, 2009 (1:11 pm)
I took my 2004 Freelander in for a parking light problem and was told there is a recall on the fuel pump. You should contact your dealer since it doesn't seem that Land Rover is sending out any notices on this.

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