03 Land Rover Freelander 1.8 Maasai Mara Hard Top 3dr

[babydriver]

I have written off my lovely Renault Megane and I am now on the look out for something else, I fancy another Megane buy the cc one this time but I only have around £1000 in the coffers, I have also fancied a Freelander so may scratch that itch, I know the 1.8 engine is the same as the M.G. lump so I take it I need to keep an eye out for head gaskets and am I right in thinking these are the chariots of choice that rot out the rear floors?

Paste the topic title into ebay and have a butchers yourself.

 

Any FGS don't do it advice welcome please.

[Cavcraft]

Would be amazed if a Freelander lasted long enough to rot out.

[Sigmund Fraud]

They're not as bad as other LR offerings for rot, possibly because most of them never venture beyond paved roads.

 

The 1800cc petrol version is indeed powered by the Rover K16, so make sure the cooling system is up to scratch and the cambelt has been replaced at the recommended intervals.

 

A notoriously common fault is the viscous coupling unit failing, which is often addressed* by the complete removal of the unit and propshaft, which makes the car front wheel drive only.

 

Being a LR product, various irritating electric faults are to be expected, but they're again nowhere as bad as the contemporary Discovery and Range Rover.

[dollywobbler]

My neighbour's 51-plate Freelander is starting to break out in rust in several places now, but we do live in Wales. They've had it quite a long time, and have replaced head gaskets three times...

[dieselnutjob]

A notoriously common fault is the viscous coupling unit failing, which is often addressed* by the complete removal of the unit and propshaft, which makes the car front wheel drive only.

Only on the early ones which had a slightly different axle ratio front to back with the viscous coupling taking up the difference. From late 2001 on they have the same ratio front and back and don't seem to fail as often.

 

You were supposed to fit a new viscous coupling every 60000 miles but no one ever did.

[overrun]

My folks used to have a Y reg 'station wagon' version. 1800 pez, and it cracked the downpipe/pre cat twice iirc. The thing was only a few years old.

[dave21478]

Dieselnutjob is right about the axle ratios and later ones being better, but a massive problem is people not paying attention to the tyres - they must have the same make/model of tyre all round with a minimal difference in wear, with the least worn ones on the rear, otherwise the difference in rolling diameter will overwork the viscous coupling, it becomes too stiff, winds up the transmission and breaks the transfer box.

 

A quick look on ebay reveals probably 80% for sale have different tyre brands front and rear.....avoid.

 

Mine lived most its life  in the north of Scotland and required a fair bit of welding to each sill.

[dieselnutjob]

SWMBOs one has a constantly wet boot floor.

 

Does anyone know most likely where the water is getting in and how to stop it?

[BorniteIdentity]

We had one in my first job. It had 2 gearboxes before it went back at 60k.

 

I would like one too, but I'd live in complete fear of it crippling me.

[matty879]

ive known rear diffs to be a problem,as well as their mountings.

[UltraWomble]

Have he not considered the Ford maverick?

Both DW and I have had one and they are very capable off road

Also Nissan running gear so quite reliable

[dave21478]

SWMBOs one has a constantly wet boot floor.

 

Does anyone know most likely where the water is getting in and how to stop it?

 

If its not the rear door/window seal, some are not sealed where the toolbox seam meets the boot floor.

 

[AnthonyG]

Early Discoverys had rusty boot floors, I think you're thinking of those.