Thinking of buying a 2003 Freelander - Page 2 - Land Rovers Only

Rovin4life · 12-04-2005, 07:42 PM

Steve, I said Rover. not land rover.
Tell me did you ever get the timing belt changed on your Freelander before you sold it?

Although my biggest fear for vanilla nut will be the coolant problems and the heater core breaking down in the cold. Extreme temps dont do well for cheap plastic.

And Land Rover has had numerous problems with a lack of cold weather testing on any and all its vehicle.

range rover on down. Actually the disco really isnt a problem with cold weather.

by the way Vanillanut the oil change needs to be done every twelve thousand with 0w 40 synthetic. Dont deviate. Especially in AK. They want you to change the coolant every twenty four. you can do it but I would change it every fifty. its gm stuff. The main thing you need to constantly make sure of is the coolant is topped off and the Coolant protection is good to minus sixty.

The pollen filter is located under the passenger side. there are four screws that hold it. Look for a big black box and the you will see the screws.

Get the extended warrantee. Dont waste your time trying to fix stuff yourself.

The warrantee will pay for itself.

f

Muddy Oval · 12-04-2005, 08:56 PM

Mine wasn't due for a timing belt- It had very low miles because it was mainly an offroad only vehicle. If the time had come, I'd get it done- just like any other car with a timing belt (or belts). I don't see why the sky is falling because that engine, like most 6's and 4's, needs timing belts as it ages.

BTW- don't even think for a minute that engine will last with oil changes at 12,500. Do it every 5K or so.

vanillanut · 12-04-2005, 09:18 PM

Hey Ya'll:

I have worked as a professional aircraft mechanic and still dabble in my spare time. I have an appreciation for complicated systems and a few tools boxes to keep them in top shape. Before the Freelander, I maintained my wife 1999 Saab 93 SE. I managed to get my hands on a copy of Saab's factory service manual. Most of the 10K checks I did myself. I always did the 10K checks every 5,000 miles. I always changed the engine oil every 5,000 miles. Now somethings, I couldn't due like replace the air conditioning compressor and the Saab information display so I took the car to Indy Saab for the work. The car still looked great when we sold it last fall. My airplane was built in 1953 and it still looks like new and is very reliable. I just flew it from Indiana to Alaska.

I'll take real good care of the Freelander and put a serious emphasis on preventive maintenance. And I realise that taking it to Anchorage Land Rover will be costly...and that is okay.

What I need to get my hands on is a copy of the service manual. If anyone from a Land Rover shop has a copy of the service manual I would really apprieciate a copy of the CD.

See ya

Pat

tedwright · 12-04-2005, 10:50 PM

The engine really needs to be removed to change the timing belt? Can anyone confirm this?

Roverdude · 12-05-2005, 04:48 AM

If you're looking for the factory shop manual, try a search on ebay for the "Rave CD." I haven't seen them in a while (haven't looked either), but if you can find them, you'll get the owners manual and shop manual on CD (for FL, Disco I&II, RR 4.0/4.6, NEW RR, RR Classic, and D90/110). I, uh.. know this guy who paid around $13 for his (not sure on the legality of the CD sale). WELL WORTH the investment.

Muddy Oval · 12-05-2005, 06:58 AM

I want more info on the plane!

It would be easier to install the timing belts if the engine was dropped, for sure. It doesn't have to be removed completely, just dropped down a couple of feet underneath. You can leave the suspension attached and all that stuff- it's not a HUGE deal.

Rovin4life · 12-05-2005, 09:58 AM

BTW- don't even think for a minute that engine will last with oil changes at 12,500. Do it every 5K or so.

you could do it. but those valve covers get so much crud built up in the PCV passages they clog up at times. If you do an oil change or air filter check the pcv hoses. THey break after a while.

I mean these guys made their recommendations without really testing it.

At least you use fully synthetic. now jag engines dont even use fully syn and want you to go every ten grand.

now the same motor in an lr3 takes same oil but less miles. Go figure. someone is thinking straight.

Rovin4life · 12-05-2005, 09:58 AM

BTW- don't even think for a minute that engine will last with oil changes at 12,500. Do it every 5K or so.

you could do it. but those valve covers get so much crud built up in the PCV passages they clog up at times. If you do an oil change or air filter check the pcv hoses. THey break after a while.

I mean these guys made their recommendations without really testing it.

At least you use fully synthetic. now jag engines dont even use fully syn and want you to go every ten grand.

now the same motor in an lr3 takes same oil but less miles. Go figure. someone is thinking straight.

12-04-2005, 08:56 PM	#17 (permalink)
Muddy Oval Otherwise known as STEVE Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,968 Gallery: 0	Mine wasn't due for a timing belt- It had very low miles because it was mainly an offroad only vehicle. If the time had come, I'd get it done- just like any other car with a timing belt (or belts). I don't see why the sky is falling because that engine, like most 6's and 4's, needs timing belts as it ages. BTW- don't even think for a minute that engine will last with oil changes at 12,500. Do it every 5K or so. __________________ 2002 Freelander 2000 DII w/CDL 1967 SIIA 109SW Former Rovers 2004 Modded "S" Disco, R.I.P. 2004 G4 Disco 2002 Modded Freelander 1995 Modded Disco 1994 D-90 #8 1993 NAS D110 1990 Range Rover County 1973 SIII 88 1972 Range Rover 2 door

12-04-2005, 09:18 PM	#18 (permalink)
vanillanut Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: anchorage alaska Posts: 5 Gallery: 0	Freelander Maintenance Hey Ya'll: I have worked as a professional aircraft mechanic and still dabble in my spare time. I have an appreciation for complicated systems and a few tools boxes to keep them in top shape. Before the Freelander, I maintained my wife 1999 Saab 93 SE. I managed to get my hands on a copy of Saab's factory service manual. Most of the 10K checks I did myself. I always did the 10K checks every 5,000 miles. I always changed the engine oil every 5,000 miles. Now somethings, I couldn't due like replace the air conditioning compressor and the Saab information display so I took the car to Indy Saab for the work. The car still looked great when we sold it last fall. My airplane was built in 1953 and it still looks like new and is very reliable. I just flew it from Indiana to Alaska. I'll take real good care of the Freelander and put a serious emphasis on preventive maintenance. And I realise that taking it to Anchorage Land Rover will be costly...and that is okay. What I need to get my hands on is a copy of the service manual. If anyone from a Land Rover shop has a copy of the service manual I would really apprieciate a copy of the CD. See ya Pat

12-05-2005, 04:48 AM	#20 (permalink)
Roverdude Underwater hockey is no dumber than any other sport Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 164 Gallery: 0	If you're looking for the factory shop manual, try a search on ebay for the "Rave CD." I haven't seen them in a while (haven't looked either), but if you can find them, you'll get the owners manual and shop manual on CD (for FL, Disco I&II, RR 4.0/4.6, NEW RR, RR Classic, and D90/110). I, uh.. know this guy who paid around $13 for his (not sure on the legality of the CD sale). WELL WORTH the investment. __________________ "Guinnevere" '91 RR '08 LR2 SE '05 MINI Cooper Convertible

12-05-2005, 06:58 AM	#21 (permalink)
Muddy Oval Otherwise known as STEVE Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,968 Gallery: 0	I want more info on the plane! It would be easier to install the timing belts if the engine was dropped, for sure. It doesn't have to be removed completely, just dropped down a couple of feet underneath. You can leave the suspension attached and all that stuff- it's not a HUGE deal. __________________ 2002 Freelander 2000 DII w/CDL 1967 SIIA 109SW Former Rovers 2004 Modded "S" Disco, R.I.P. 2004 G4 Disco 2002 Modded Freelander 1995 Modded Disco 1994 D-90 #8 1993 NAS D110 1990 Range Rover County 1973 SIII 88 1972 Range Rover 2 door

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12-04-2005, 07:42 PM	#16 (permalink)
Rovin4life Former NAS LR TECH, Current AUS LR TECH Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: DOWN UNDER Posts: 1,663 Gallery: 0	Steve, I said Rover. not land rover. Tell me did you ever get the timing belt changed on your Freelander before you sold it? Although my biggest fear for vanilla nut will be the coolant problems and the heater core breaking down in the cold. Extreme temps dont do well for cheap plastic. And Land Rover has had numerous problems with a lack of cold weather testing on any and all its vehicle. range rover on down. Actually the disco really isnt a problem with cold weather. by the way Vanillanut the oil change needs to be done every twelve thousand with 0w 40 synthetic. Dont deviate. Especially in AK. They want you to change the coolant every twenty four. you can do it but I would change it every fifty. its gm stuff. The main thing you need to constantly make sure of is the coolant is topped off and the Coolant protection is good to minus sixty. The pollen filter is located under the passenger side. there are four screws that hold it. Look for a big black box and the you will see the screws. Get the extended warrantee. Dont waste your time trying to fix stuff yourself. The warrantee will pay for itself. f

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12-04-2005, 10:50 PM	#19 (permalink)
tedwright off road wanna-be Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 30 Gallery: 0	The engine really needs to be removed to change the timing belt? Can anyone confirm this?

12-05-2005, 09:58 AM	#22 (permalink)
Rovin4life Former NAS LR TECH, Current AUS LR TECH Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: DOWN UNDER Posts: 1,663 Gallery: 0	BTW- don't even think for a minute that engine will last with oil changes at 12,500. Do it every 5K or so. you could do it. but those valve covers get so much crud built up in the PCV passages they clog up at times. If you do an oil change or air filter check the pcv hoses. THey break after a while. I mean these guys made their recommendations without really testing it. At least you use fully synthetic. now jag engines dont even use fully syn and want you to go every ten grand. now the same motor in an lr3 takes same oil but less miles. Go figure. someone is thinking straight.

12-05-2005, 09:58 AM	#23 (permalink)
Rovin4life Former NAS LR TECH, Current AUS LR TECH Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: DOWN UNDER Posts: 1,663 Gallery: 0	BTW- don't even think for a minute that engine will last with oil changes at 12,500. Do it every 5K or so. you could do it. but those valve covers get so much crud built up in the PCV passages they clog up at times. If you do an oil change or air filter check the pcv hoses. THey break after a while. I mean these guys made their recommendations without really testing it. At least you use fully synthetic. now jag engines dont even use fully syn and want you to go every ten grand. now the same motor in an lr3 takes same oil but less miles. Go figure. someone is thinking straight.

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