2003 FreeLander SE - Land Rovers Only

blam · 06-15-2008, 10:55 AM

Ok...my daughter was hell bent on buying a Jeep Liberty, we looked at several but could find the "right" deal. Along pops this 2003 Freelander with 70k on it in great condition at a local car dealer. So, she buys it for $10k. After a month, I decide to change the oil as a baseline for routine maintenance. Found WIX makes after market filters for the LR and found out the hard way(after throwing in the 1st qt of new 5w-30 oil that this baby gets only the best...full synthetic. Thats when the ulcer started...I started reading the 72k maintenance schedule. Ok, started calling around for prices to get the timing belt(s) changed...prices ranged from $3500+ to $15-2000 depending on "how it goes"(now I know why I see so many Freelanders for sale with 72K on them)...what the hell? And these were all from LR dealers within a 60 mile radius. As as my daughter saved enough for the lower priced dealer, I stumbled accross an independant shop trainned by LR to do the job for me. Not only was the job about half the price , they didn't jerk me around like the stories I'm hearing from the dealers. Anyway, this has 3 yes 3 timing belts in which all were change...they also changed the waterpump(and anti freeze) plus the serpintine belt...total bill was $1500 plus I only had to drive about 15 miles to the shop vs. 65 miles to the dealer.
So now I feel safe that the belts wont break and cost her $10K that she doesn't have for a new engine BUT a car dealer friend of hers was just telling her there is some type of glass or clear plastic indicator near the back of the engine that if it starts to get black or cloudy in side of it, the engine is getting ready to blow..Has anyone heard of such an indicator? ROVIN4LIFE, you seem to have alot of knowledge about this stuff , whats the deal?
And now that I've had the belts and waterpump change(stuuf that would cause major engine damage) , what should I worry about next?
any info is greatly appreciated

03SilverFL · 07-24-2008, 05:02 PM

Heater core replacement is common. Some transmission issues are out there. Engine replcement due to engine coolant loss through slipped cylinder sleeves ($6500). Window regulators go frequently. just to name a few.

deeker · 07-25-2008, 10:38 AM

Sunroof rails, rear window glass freezes in winter making it hard to open the rear door, some VCU issues, as a few more...

But it's a much nicer ride than a Liberty!

06-15-2008, 10:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
blam Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 3 Gallery: 0	2003 FreeLander SE Ok...my daughter was hell bent on buying a Jeep Liberty, we looked at several but could find the "right" deal. Along pops this 2003 Freelander with 70k on it in great condition at a local car dealer. So, she buys it for $10k. After a month, I decide to change the oil as a baseline for routine maintenance. Found WIX makes after market filters for the LR and found out the hard way(after throwing in the 1st qt of new 5w-30 oil that this baby gets only the best...full synthetic. Thats when the ulcer started...I started reading the 72k maintenance schedule. Ok, started calling around for prices to get the timing belt(s) changed...prices ranged from $3500+ to $15-2000 depending on "how it goes"(now I know why I see so many Freelanders for sale with 72K on them)...what the hell? And these were all from LR dealers within a 60 mile radius. As as my daughter saved enough for the lower priced dealer, I stumbled accross an independant shop trainned by LR to do the job for me. Not only was the job about half the price , they didn't jerk me around like the stories I'm hearing from the dealers. Anyway, this has 3 yes 3 timing belts in which all were change...they also changed the waterpump(and anti freeze) plus the serpintine belt...total bill was $1500 plus I only had to drive about 15 miles to the shop vs. 65 miles to the dealer. So now I feel safe that the belts wont break and cost her $10K that she doesn't have for a new engine BUT a car dealer friend of hers was just telling her there is some type of glass or clear plastic indicator near the back of the engine that if it starts to get black or cloudy in side of it, the engine is getting ready to blow..Has anyone heard of such an indicator? ROVIN4LIFE, you seem to have alot of knowledge about this stuff , whats the deal? And now that I've had the belts and waterpump change(stuuf that would cause major engine damage) , what should I worry about next? any info is greatly appreciated

07-25-2008, 10:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
deeker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London, ON Posts: 182 Gallery: 5	Sunroof rails, rear window glass freezes in winter making it hard to open the rear door, some VCU issues, as a few more... But it's a much nicer ride than a Liberty! __________________ Current: 2004 G4 Discovery Gone: Silver '02 Freelander SE

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07-24-2008, 05:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
03SilverFL Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 7 Gallery: 0	Heater core replacement is common. Some transmission issues are out there. Engine replcement due to engine coolant loss through slipped cylinder sleeves ($6500). Window regulators go frequently. just to name a few.

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