Yakko

Just to add to this, I've got FBH and a heated windscreen on my Facelift TD4 HSE (2004).

Attempted this on Saturday, absolutely full of horrible muck. 4 goes with Oven Cleaner and a Steam Clean and it was still pretty mucky. No improvement in driving found really, but not driving any worse. Reused the old gasket, now worried I might have caused a leak. What are the symptoms? Thanks for the reply Kiwi110, makes me feel better knowing that I didn't do anything too wrong!

Hi, Apologies if this has been covered before, I have tried searching. I've recently replaced my EGR with the Allisport blanking kit. I'd like to take the inlet manifold off to clean it out. This will be my first DIY job on the Freelander. Does anyone know if there's a How To topic anywhere? I've got the Haynes manual, but that talks about draining the coolant beforehand, I can't see that that's necessary? Thanks, Richard

Hi. In case anyone ever has the same problem, while waiting for the LR part to become available, to save my other half from getting wet feet I found that a short length of small diameter garden hose, warmed in boiling water fits onto the air-con box perfectly. No more wet feet for us. I might not even bother with the LR part now.

Many thanks for the replies all, believe I've tracked one down. Part number was especially useful.

Turns out that I'm missing the air-con drain hose, so the condensation from the air conditioning is draining into the footwell. Anyone know where I can get hold of one? Thanks.

Hi all, Really enjoying my new Freelander, however the passenger side carpet (front and rear footwells) are really wet. Doesn't feel sticky or oily, so I don't think it's coolant. It's just as wet at the back as the front, so I'm assuming it's not the air-con drain, but I may be wrong. Where should I check for leaks? Popped the front interior light out of the headlining, doesn't look like it's leaking in from the aerial. It's probably completely unrelated, but when I start the car sometimes there's a strange hissing noise that sounds like it's coming from the passenger footwell, it doesn't seem to be fan or engine speed related and stops after a while. Any ideas? Thanks. Rich

Thanks for the replies all. It rolls and coasts in a straight line as I'd expect it to, but with steering lock on, it takes a bit more effort, which might be normal. I'm starting to think that the £300 or so that Bell want to supply and fit a VCU (and bearings) might be worth it, for piece of mind alone. It means I should never to worry about it again...

Well, I've got it. And I really like it. It's a lovely car to drive, I'm really pleased. Got a bit of a decision to make now. As far as I can tell the VCU has never been replaced, but it also doesn't seem like there's anything too wrong with it. The car is tight when reversing with steering lock on, it won't roll down hills, and the engine struggles to push it backwards with idle revs alone. That said, there's no nasty noises when driving etc. I'd rather replace the VCU now, before it breaks the IRD or diff and I've inquired about a replacement at Bell Engineering, they've been very helpful. I just don't know if I am being over-cautious?

Hi, Well... I bought one! Black 2004 TD4 HSE. Am trading from a BMW 330 Coupe. Was surprised to find that a couple of things that I'd take for granted on a modern car (current MPG readout, miles left in fuel tank etc) aren't present, but I really enjoyed the test drive, really easy car to drive, SO much better than the Defender 90 I had a few years ago. It's got the satnav unit fitted (which I believe is a Becker Traffic Pro?), am looking for an updated map disc, but don't want to pay the £149 that Navteq want. Have also emailed a car audio supplier about an interface cable for my iPhone (instead of the CD changer). Pick it up on Saturday. Can't wait!

Thanks FridgeFreezer. Going to go and look at Freelanders this weekend, quite excited. I'm struggling to find a really good Buyer's Guide. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks for the replies chaps, it's really useful to get positive and negative feedback. The VCU (Viscous Coupling Unit?) and IRD (?) issues, are they more of a problem on the pre-facelift 2004ish cars? Or is it a problem across the entire Mk1?

Hi there, I used to have a Defender 90 200tdi which I loved, but then left Land Rover for a few years. I now fancy another 4x4, but with more comforts (and hopefully better reliability!), and think that the Freelander might be perfect for me. I've a couple of newbie questions, apologies if they've been answered on other threads (I did try and search). - I'm looking at 5 door Mk1 Facelift TD4s, what should I be checking before buying (is there a buyer's guide I can look at somewhere?) - What are they like on the Motorway, I'm no speed demon, but would like to be able to cruise quietly at 75 - 80. - Was the heated front screen standard? I'm sure I'll have other questions soon. Thanks, Rich

Cheers, any idea which from here? Paddocks Propshaft UJs

Thanks, that's encouraging i'll take the prop off tomorrow. I've looked for replacement UJs on Paddocks and Rimmer Bros, but there are a number of options, can anyone tell me which is correct for a 1991 200tdi 90? Thanks.

Evening all. Typical, just as I was considering putting it up for sale. Drove the 90 to work today - was fine. Drove it home, under acceleration there's a dull grinding noise and a pretty nasty vibration. Have lifted all four corners, all four wheels turn smoothly, and there's no excessive up/down or side/side movement. What there is though, is about 5mm rotational play in the rear prop rear UJ. I.e. I can turn the wheel with the handbrake on and watch one half of the UJ turn about 5mm before the other half. Does this sound like my issue? Thanks.

Not mine. (Mine's driving perfectly at the moment *touch wood*) A pal has a 200tdi 110. He drove it one night and it was running fine, then, the following morning it wouldn't start. It turns over, but will not start. First thought, fuel solenoid. He's removed the spring/plunger but still nothing. Any ideas what else it could be? Thanks.

Thanks Ralph, quickly learning about Britpart bits - i've already been let down by a faulty Britpart thermostat.

Evening, Been chasing a perceived overheating issue on my 200tdi 90 for a while. (Gauge moves into the black section while driving). In an attempt to narrow it down, I ordered a new temperature sender. I received a Britpart Transmitter with the part no. PRC8593. It's immediatley different to the one in the car, having a much smaller head (the standard one seems to be 13/16s the new one fits inside a 18mm socket) anyway, fitted it anyway and now the guage is even showing even hotter. So, does anyone know if that's the right part number for a 200tdi Defender sender? I've put the old one back in for the time being, it might be old, but at least I know it's the right part. (And i'd rather the gauge sat in the black than the red!) Cheers,

I've got an immobiliser touch key thing that was on the 90 when I got it, but I inadvertantly bypassed it when doing some wiring to fit an accessory (not going to say what I was wiring, obviously!) so I don't hold too much faith in it. I use a steering lock when the car's parked anywhere for longer than 10 mins, and always nudge the transfer box into neutral. The sound of my 90 revving in neutral should be as good as any alarm!

Cheers Les - will keep an eye on it (or will tell anyone following me too). Doesn't sound like I should be too worried. Thanks.

Just been driving down the motorway in the 90 with the Mrs behind me in her car. She called me up to let me know that there was glowing ash coming out of the exhaust! She described it as looking like someone continually dropping cigarette ends out of the back of the car. Now, i'm not overly concerned because other than a slight overheating problem (replacement water pump on the way) the car is running better than ever. So, should I be worried? My first thought was that it was bits of piston or valves being ejected, but I suppose being a bit more rational it could easily just be carbon build-up in the exhaust etc. It was mostly happening on the overrun, when I was coasting with no throttle. Any thoughts? Anyone else seen anything similar? As I said, i'm not immedately concerned, but it's the kind of thing that could quickly make me paranoid! Anyone want to say "Yeah, they all do that" to make me feel better?

Mine used to sit vertically at 12 o'clock no matter what, it now rises, sits vertically for about 3 minutes (I guess while the thermostat opens) and then slowely swings round to the black. Rad is in fine condition, top hose is hot, bottom hose is cold, but i'm not sure i'm getting much flow. New water pump is winging it's way here as we speak.

Props are ok, gave 'em a yank earlier. I'll find an assistant at get them to have a listen while I drive it past slowely, see if they can identify exactly where it's coming from.

With my fuelling fixed, it's time to move on to the next "challenge".... Recently when lifting off the throttle (it's most noticable in first or second gear, possibly because of the greater engine braking) I get a fairly loud clonking (it happens more than once, "clonk clonk clonk" etc) from what sounds like the front passenger side wheel. Have jacked it up, and there's a bit (maybe 10mm) of movement when my hands are at 12 and 6 o'clock. What's the most likely candidate? Thanks,