Freelander........

[Kayos]

So as my early onset midlife crisis takes hold my inner Yorkshireman spoke up, so I bought a Freelander.
I wanted something that needed a bit of work so I found a nice looking 02 plate (so has BMW improvements) that someone had removed the prop, this is a popular "upgrade" however I will be fitting one asap as I actually want 4wd

Spent a lot of time looking and checking over, left it running 30 minutes and it just warmed up nicely
10 miles of the M1 and the temp shoots up, so I pull off and open the bonnet to a cloud of steam, much K series swearing and regret ensued.
However when the AA chap turned up, he did a few checks, sniff test, checking temps of pipes etc and he said it's not actually looking like HG, it may be stat or water pump. Recovered it home, explained to Mrs Kayos why the new car is on a tow truck, had brew and started with the simple stuff. I removed stat, bent metal to wedge it open and refilled.

Well, it started and drove nice, got up to temp and stayed there and when stationary the fans kicked in

Lucky escape or just delaying the innevitable? Mot now next Saturday so only one way to find out

 

[Robotstar5]

Just delaying the inevitable with a K series engine unfortunately

Failed IRD (Intermediate Reduction Drive) or VCU (Viscous Coupling Unit) are popular reasons for removing the propshaft, but tell the buyer it's a fuel saving mod

 

[Tinbasherdan]

The later k series weren't too bad as they improved the block design a bit, earlier ones as you know crap their pants at regular intervals, so will be as well replacing things like the thermostat etc anyways just as a precautionary. The "popular upgrade" is just a lazy mans way of fixing the viscous coupling the freelander uses instead of a diff , I guarantee it'll be either seized or just knacked

 

[Robotstar5]

The later k series weren't too bad....

02 model, so prone to HGF

 

[Tinbasherdan]

I missed that bit! I'll stick with my rattly old tdi disco, although markedly less rattly now it has a new clutch in it as of about an hour ago!

 

[Tinbasherdan]

Get shut of it and find a decent one with a td4 in is my advice then, it's only going to bring heartache

 

[Robotstar5]

Get shut of it and find a decent one with a td4 in is my advice then, it's only going to bring heartache

I had a TD4 for 6 years, biggest expense was a new set of tyres, apart from that it was a good car.

 

[Tinbasherdan]

I was quite surprised with the one that came out leaning in the snow at the start of the year, I only had to tow it once, and that was through ruts my diffs were clipping on

 

[Kayos]

No to a diesel, had enough of them, I need petrol in my life

It is a later engine, with the stat at the front rather than hidden under the inlet manifold

I've already got a prop with a decent VC, just needs new bearings

 

[Tinbasherdan]

1.8 k series isn't the direction of head if I wanted a petrol landy! Seriously you are going to suffer greatly with that motor!

 

[octo0072000]

there is a bleed on the inlet manifold that blocks up only way to clean it out is manifold off
VCUs are 70000 miles replacement by all accounts rear diff cause problems and vibrations
main problem with K series heads was the liner heights should be proud of the block
if temp went up then down up etc sounds like air lock bleed in manifold etc

best place for rover info 400/45 same engine
http://forums.mg-rover.org/

 

[cocker]

I had a k series 1.8 for a few years , no problems EXCEPT for the three amigos !
Turned out to be the wheel speed sensors - no biggie .

Loads of fun in the snow , never got it stuck neither .

 

[Robotstar5]

I had a k series 1.8 for a few years , no problems EXCEPT for the three amigos !
Turned out to be the wheel speed sensors - no biggie .

Loads of fun in the snow , never got it stuck neither .

I only had 2 of the 3 amigos, faulty brake light switch cured it.

 

[octo0072000]

my choice of a Petrol 4x4.... Jeep Cherokee with the 4.0 straight six...essentially unkillable understressed lump...

but they suffer head gasket failure as well and loads of electrical problems

 

[octo0072000]

freelander you are supposed to fit 4 tyres at a time that can put the 3 amigos on

 

[Robotstar5]

I'd prefer the Zulu2

 

[Robotstar5]

Most petrol 4x4s aren't exactly renowned for brilliant MPG though...no wonder, 1800-2500Kg tends to hammer mpg pretty often...

I've had Land Rover V8's into single figure MPG off-roading

 

[Tinbasherdan]

I've had Land Rover V8's into single figure MPG off-roading

I had a disco v8 that did 6mpg ON the road

 

[pedrobedro]

We used to use 2.25 Land Rover petrol years ago on the council landscaping job I had and we never got over 12mpg. A friend of mine had the economical 4 litre Cherokee and got about 20mpg out of it if he was careful. Chap down the road had a Freeloader diesel and both pumps went on it, cost him a fortune.

 

[Tinbasherdan]

I think my disco whizzes it's way about in a cloud of turbo smoke at about 29mpg , maybe 20 around town