Is the 1.8 petrol engine in the Freelander really that bad?
Discussion
Yes... It's the Rover 'K' Series, as used in the MGF & Elise too.
Bung that info into Google and have a read.
The long & short of it is that the engine develops hot spots, these hot spots cause the liners to shift making it look like a head gasket failure. There are fixes but they're either based around improving the cooling or machining the block to prevent the movement.
M
Bung that info into Google and have a read.
The long & short of it is that the engine develops hot spots, these hot spots cause the liners to shift making it look like a head gasket failure. There are fixes but they're either based around improving the cooling or machining the block to prevent the movement.
M
FWIW the 1.8 K is (I think) what was in the MG ZT. I was driving one about five years ago when, true to form, the head gasket went halfway up a hill. So it does happen, and (I'm told, wasn't my car) it costs real money when it does.
However I'm also told that it's possible to fix the engine to prevent the fault, so if you're looking a bargain in the face it might be worth finding out what that'll cost.
However I'm also told that it's possible to fix the engine to prevent the fault, so if you're looking a bargain in the face it might be worth finding out what that'll cost.
Absolute bag of spanners. We had one that managed 45k miles and was 2 months out of LR warranty when it did the head gasket, LR refused to pay and garage quoted huge amount to do so I did it myself and ran it for another couple of years then sold it on. Do not listen to anyone that says there is a fix for this there isnt, it is not a permenant fix and it will do it again.
wuckfitracing said:
Absolute bag of spanners. We had one that managed 45k miles and was 2 months out of LR warranty when it did the head gasket, LR refused to pay and garage quoted huge amount to do so I did it myself and ran it for another couple of years then sold it on. Do not listen to anyone that says there is a fix for this there isnt, it is not a permenant fix and it will do it again.
There is at least one permanent fix but the one I know of involves re-machinine the block, to receive collars of a much tighter tolerance to hold the liners in place.M
Well I bought a 1.8 Freelander as a general run around/dog carrier etc. It already had the uprated headgasket done not long ago (before I bought it) along with the cambelt and water pump.
My only advice is buy one where it already has been done and dont spend too much money - there is a chance it will fail again and the bill would likely be circa £600 dependent on whats gone (assuming HGF). The diesel equivalent isnt without its problems too.
Depends how much you want to spend - I wouldnt go above £1500 really.
My only advice is buy one where it already has been done and dont spend too much money - there is a chance it will fail again and the bill would likely be circa £600 dependent on whats gone (assuming HGF). The diesel equivalent isnt without its problems too.
Depends how much you want to spend - I wouldnt go above £1500 really.
got to agree - that era of Freelanders were an absolute nightmare
BUT
how much the car has now changed - when i take my RR to main dealer for work (fairly often!) they loan me the latest Freelander - what a lovely car and very 'quick' (think its the larger engine model?)
absolutely no complaints apart from the fact that its simply too small for my needs
BUT
how much the car has now changed - when i take my RR to main dealer for work (fairly often!) they loan me the latest Freelander - what a lovely car and very 'quick' (think its the larger engine model?)
absolutely no complaints apart from the fact that its simply too small for my needs
grand cherokee said:
got to agree - that era of Freelanders were an absolute nightmare
BUT
how much the car has now changed - when i take my RR to main dealer for work (fairly often!) they loan me the latest Freelander - what a lovely car and very 'quick' (think its the larger engine model?)
absolutely no complaints apart from the fact that its simply too small for my needs
The Freelander 2 is superb... BTW - There is only one engine size in the UK and that's a 2.2 Diesel. However, there are a couple of different 'tunes' for that engine (TD4 & SD4). The SD4 is the slightly higher output.BUT
how much the car has now changed - when i take my RR to main dealer for work (fairly often!) they loan me the latest Freelander - what a lovely car and very 'quick' (think its the larger engine model?)
absolutely no complaints apart from the fact that its simply too small for my needs
As for the previous version, the diesel versions were relatively trouble free. My XEDi is still going strong after 15yrs and has been one of the cheapest cars I've ever run.
M
camel_landy said:
The Freelander 2 is superb... BTW - There is only one engine size in the UK and that's a 2.2 Diesel. However, there are a couple of different 'tunes' for that engine (TD4 & SD4). The SD4 is the slightly higher output.
As for the previous version, the diesel versions were relatively trouble free. My XEDi is still going strong after 15yrs and has been one of the cheapest cars I've ever run.
M
hiAs for the previous version, the diesel versions were relatively trouble free. My XEDi is still going strong after 15yrs and has been one of the cheapest cars I've ever run.
M
thanks for that - now you mention it the car was an SD4
was very quick off the mark and an absolute pleasure to drive - but just too small for the amount of gear i carry when going fishing! - its a 'me' thing in that i dislike having to fold down the rear seats liking to leave the vehicle as a car!
but as i say thats just me - lol!
Range Rover holds everything but being a 'short arse' i struggle to reach gear at the rear of the boot!
LR bought back a lot of Freelanders in the US because of the engine issues. (KV6 engine) It could be why the second generation is not called a Freelander here....
2013 LR 2's here have the Evoque 4 cyl turbo motor and it transforms the car. Previous years used the 3.2 Volvo 6 which is a good engine but it feels fairly pedestrian compared to the turbo 4.
2013 LR 2's here have the Evoque 4 cyl turbo motor and it transforms the car. Previous years used the 3.2 Volvo 6 which is a good engine but it feels fairly pedestrian compared to the turbo 4.
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 9th December 19:36
camel_landy said:
Butter Face said:
They are crap
Care to elaborate????M
They're also not a great pleasure to drive, do NOT fare well in accidents and build quality is also not great.
But that said, they are still a cheap decent 4x4 and perfect for chucking all your stuff in and just going somewhere.
baptistsan said:
Am thinking about getting a Freelander. Looking at cars between 2001-2005 in age and am hearing so many horror stories about the 1.8 petrol engine.
So how bad are they?
TIA.
No. But yes if you believe everything the internet says.So how bad are they?
TIA.
HG issues can be a problem, but look after the engine and let it warm up properly and it'll likely be fine. And even if it does go, getting it sorted is no more costly than doing a cam belt on something like a V6 Pug. Very nice engine and performs well in the Freelander.
No in a nutshell !
The 1.8 K series engine does have an issue with HGF but if looked after and driven correctly will cause you no more problems than blocked DPFs swirl flaps etc.
Millions of them have been produced they have been raced rallied etc etc. The head gasket is weak but can be uprated if needs be.
Ive had 4 cars with K series engines including a tuned Elise and currently have an early Freelander with one. Just ensure you warm it up well before extending the revs and keep an eye on the water levels which should form part of anyones routine maintainence. My Freelander is used daily for dog carrying duties as well as muddy football duties, It does it with no complaints and hasnt used any water or oil in the year Ive had it, It will be treated to a service by myself as they are nice and simple for christmas.
Get yourself a bargain as no one wants one, Infact I should delete this post to stop the demand increasing!!
The 1.8 K series engine does have an issue with HGF but if looked after and driven correctly will cause you no more problems than blocked DPFs swirl flaps etc.
Millions of them have been produced they have been raced rallied etc etc. The head gasket is weak but can be uprated if needs be.
Ive had 4 cars with K series engines including a tuned Elise and currently have an early Freelander with one. Just ensure you warm it up well before extending the revs and keep an eye on the water levels which should form part of anyones routine maintainence. My Freelander is used daily for dog carrying duties as well as muddy football duties, It does it with no complaints and hasnt used any water or oil in the year Ive had it, It will be treated to a service by myself as they are nice and simple for christmas.
Get yourself a bargain as no one wants one, Infact I should delete this post to stop the demand increasing!!
300bhp/ton said:
camel_landy said:
Yes... It's the Rover 'K' Series, as used in the MGF & Elise too.
Bung that info into Google and have a read.
The long & short of it is that the engine develops hot spots, these hot spots cause the liners to shift making it look like a head gasket failure. There are fixes but they're either based around improving the cooling or machining the block to prevent the movement.
M
Well that's pretty much wrong on all accounts... Bung that info into Google and have a read.
The long & short of it is that the engine develops hot spots, these hot spots cause the liners to shift making it look like a head gasket failure. There are fixes but they're either based around improving the cooling or machining the block to prevent the movement.
M
M
camel_landy said:
300bhp/ton said:
camel_landy said:
Yes... It's the Rover 'K' Series, as used in the MGF & Elise too.
Bung that info into Google and have a read.
The long & short of it is that the engine develops hot spots, these hot spots cause the liners to shift making it look like a head gasket failure. There are fixes but they're either based around improving the cooling or machining the block to prevent the movement.
M
Well that's pretty much wrong on all accounts... Bung that info into Google and have a read.
The long & short of it is that the engine develops hot spots, these hot spots cause the liners to shift making it look like a head gasket failure. There are fixes but they're either based around improving the cooling or machining the block to prevent the movement.
M
M
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