21 documented faults
Engine & fuel system
4 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Poor starting in damp conditions.
All models, →VIN XA 645630.
Workshop instructions & parts1 part
Workshop procedure
- Fit new ignition coil high tension lead.
- Route new lead below cylinder 2 and 3 HT leads Fig.101902 .
- Ensure lead is not in contact with the intake air box.
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| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| HT lead | NGC103570 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 1.
Engine misfire.
All models, →VIN WA 622401/→VIN YA 500000.
What you'd notice
Poor starting.
The repair
In-tank fuel pump filter seal splits causing reduced fuel pressure.
Workshop instructions & parts2 parts
Workshop procedure
- Connect fuel pressure gauge.
- Start engine and check fuel pressure.
- Fuel pressure at idle should be 3.5±0.2 bar.
- If fuel pressure less than specified fit modified filter and seal.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel pump filter kit | WFL000010 | 1 |
| Fuel pump seal | ESR3806 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 2.
Engine misfire.
All models.
What you'd notice
Erratic idle. Lack of power.
The repair
Ignition coil HT lead chafes against intake air box causing short to earth. HT leads chafe on cylinder head cover bolts causing short to earth.
Workshop instructions & parts2 parts
Workshop procedure
- Fit new ignition coil HT lead.
- Route new lead below cylinder 2 and 3 HT leads Fig.101902 .
- Ensure lead is not in contact with the intake air box.
- Fit new HT leads.
- Ensure HT leads do not contact cylinder head cover bolts.
- View View more information
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Ignition coil HT lead | NGC103570 | 1 |
| HT lead | - | 4 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 8.
Coolant loss.
All models, VIN WA600476→.
What you'd notice
Engine overheating. Engine stalls after hot or cold start. White smoke from exhaust.
The repair
Internal/external engine coolant loss from cylinder head.
Workshop instructions & parts4 parts
Workshop procedure
- Before removing cylinder head carry out cylinder leakage/compression test.
- If leak found: Remove cylinder head.
- Renew cylinder head if steel insert fitted Fig.111343 .
- Renew cylinder head if surface is pitted/porous.
- Check cylinder head surface for distortion: 0.05 mm max.
- Engine cylinder liners can be level with or up to a maximum of 0.075 mm above the cylinder block.
- During first installation of multi-layer steel gasket, install modified oil supply pipe.
- Renew thermostat on models fitted with remotely mounted thermostat housing (→VIN 1A324162).
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| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Cylinder head gasket kit | LVB500190 | 1 |
| Cylinder head bolt set | WAM2293K | 10 |
| Oil supply pipe | LCN000140L | 1 |
| Thermostat | PEL500110 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 17.
Electrical & ignition
3 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Tailgate/rear door electric window opens by itself.
All models.
Faulty multi-function control module. All 3-door models: Tailgate/rear door electric window inhibitor switch misaligned, located upper driver's C-post.
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Replace multi-function control module.
- All 3-door models: Realign tailgate/rear door electric window inhibitor switch.
- View View more information RH:
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 10.
Water ingress into rear stowage compartment in boot.
All models.
What you'd notice
Condensation on rear windows.
The repair
Tailgate seal allowing in water. Rubber grommets securing rear trim allowing in water.
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Carry out water test to tailgate and replace seal as necessary.
- Re-seal rubber grommets.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 15.
Starter motor not operating.
All models with 1.8 petrol engines.
Ignition switch faulty. Poor contact between wiring harness connector and starter motor.
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Replace ignition switch.
- Check and clean starter motor terminals. Repair/replace components as necessary.
- Ensure starter motor terminal nut tightened to correct torque setting.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 21.
Brakes
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Anti-lock brakes (ABS), hill descent control (HDC), traction control system (TCS) warning lamps illuminated or flashing.
All models.
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Remove gear lever knob.
- Release gear lever gaiter.
- Disconnect HDC switch wiring harness multi-plug Fig.104479 .
- Remove retaining bolt Fig.104479 and detach HDC switch assembly.
- Remove HDC micro-switch Fig.104477 .
- Repair as necessary.
- Check operation of BPP switch, replace if necessary.
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- View View more information
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 6.
Steering
3 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Moaning noise from power assisted steering (PAS) when turning at low vehicle speed.
All models.
PAS pipes resonating.
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Replace PAS pipes.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 11.
Steering pulls left.
All models.
What you'd notice
Excessive tyre wear.
The repair
Front and rear wheel alignment out of tolerance.
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Check and adjust front and rear wheel alignment.
- Replace tyres as necessary.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 13.
Power steering heavy.
All models with power steering, VIN WA600000-6A833722.
What you'd notice
Power steering fluid level low.
The repair
Unsatisfactory design of high-pressure power steering pipe O-ring causing loss of power steering fluid.
Workshop instructions & parts1 part
Workshop procedure
- Check power steering high-pressure pipe for leaks, at power steering rack.
- Fit modified O-ring to high-pressure power steering pipe, if necessary.
- Top up power steering fluid level.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| O-ring | QED500010 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 20.
Clutch & gearbox
2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Vibration from transmission at high engine speed.
All models.
Transfer box support bracket cracked at top fixing bolt Fig.104480 .
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Replace transfer box support bracket.
- Tighten transfer box support bracket bolts to 45 Nm.
- View View more information
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 5.
Excessive noise from transmission.
All models.
What you'd notice
Excessive rear tyre wear.
The repair
Worn propeller shaft centre bearings. Worn rear wheel bearings. Noisy transfer box.
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Check rear wheel bearings. Replace as necessary.
- Check propeller shaft centre bearings. Replace as necessary.
- Check transfer box. Replace as necessary.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 12.
Air conditioning & heating
3 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Coolant loss.
All models.
What you'd notice
Engine overheating. Engine stalls after hot or cold start. White smoke coming from exhaust.
The repair
Internal/external engine coolant loss from cylinder head(s). Leaking heater matrix.
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Pressure test cooling system.
- If internal leak suspected: Before removing cylinder head(s) carry out cylinder leakage/compression test.
- If leak found: Remove cylinder head(s). Replace cylinder head gasket(s).
- Pressure test cooling system: Check heater matrix for leaks.
- If leak found: Replace heater matrix.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 7.
Air conditioning (AC) inefficient.
All models with air conditioning (AC).
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Replace seals and expansion valve as necessary.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 14.
Engine coolant blower motors run continuously.
All models.
What you'd notice
Engine overheating due to engine coolant blower motor inoperative.
The repair
Faulty engine coolant blower motor control module.
Workshop instructions & parts1 part
Workshop procedure
- Replace engine coolant blower motor control module with modified version.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Engine coolant blower motor control module | PGW000011 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 19.
Body & trim
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Sunroof not opening or closing correctly.
All models.
What you'd notice
Sunroof sticking in open position.
The repair
Sunroof guide rails worn.
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Check and replace sunroof guide rails as necessary.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 16.
Wipers & visibility
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Erratic front wiper operation.
Freelander (97-06), 1997-06: VIN 600000-801342.
Freelander 2 (06-), 2006-09: VIN 000201→.
What you'd notice
Front wipers not working.
The repair
Front wiper arm loose, allowing wiper spindle to rotate without moving wiper arm.
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Remove wiper arm nut protective cover and remove nut.
- If wiper arm has come loose from spindle inspect affected components for damage. Replace components as necessary.
- Ensure wiper motor is in park position.
- Fit front wiper arm. Tighten wiper arm nut as follows:
- Freelander (97-06): 18 Nm.
- Freelander 2 (06-): 25 Nm.
- 90/110/130/Defender: 17 Nm.
- Discovery 3 (04-): 18 Nm.
- Range Rover (02-): 18 Nm.
- Range Rover Sport: 34 Nm.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 18.
Other
3 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Alloy wheels difficult to remove.
All models with alloy wheels, →03/01.
Corrosion between hub spigot and wheel centre.
Workshop instructions & parts1 part
Workshop procedure
- Clean corrosion from wheel contact surfaces.
- Apply anti-seize grease to wheel contact surfaces.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-seize grease | RYL105020L | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 3.
Knocking noise from front of vehicle when driving over rough roads or when manoeuvring.
All models.
Worn ball joints on anti-roll bar link rods.
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Replace anti-roll bar link rods.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 4.
Knocking noise from rear of vehicle when driving over rough roads or when cornering.
All models.
Strengthening tube broken away from rear subframe Fig.104796 . External cracks in rear subframe.
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Re-weld strengthening tube to rear subframe.
- Inspect rear subframe for cracks and replace if necessary.
- View View more information
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 9.
Take it with you
Before you view one
Land Rover Freelander 1.8 (1997–2000)
Each documented fault as a quick check for a viewing or test drive — tick them off as you go.
A little workshop vocabulary
Workshop terms used on this page
Definitions for the technical language used in these bulletins.
- VIN
- Vehicle identification number — 17 characters, found at the base of the windscreen and on the V5C logbook
- Nm
- Newton-metres — the standard unit for how tightly a bolt is done up
- BPP Switch
- Brake pedal position switch — behind the pedal, it triggers the brake lights
- AC
- Air conditioning — the system that cools the cabin
- BPP
- Brake pedal position — the switch behind the pedal that triggers the brake lights
- HDC
- Hill descent control — holds a slow, steady speed on steep downhill slopes
- HT Lead
- High-tension lead — the spark-plug wire that carries the ignition spark
- PAS
- Power assisted steering — hydraulic or electric help when you turn the wheel
- RH
- Right-hand — the right side of the vehicle as you sit in it
- Anti-Roll Bar
- A bar that links the left and right suspension to cut body roll in corners
- Anti-Seize
- Grease that stops mating parts (like a wheel on a hub) from corroding together
- Control Module
- A computer that runs one of the car's systems (engine, gearbox, brakes, body, and so on)
- Expansion Valve
- The air-conditioning valve that lets refrigerant drop in pressure so it can absorb heat
- Heater Matrix
- The small radiator behind the dashboard that provides cabin heat
- Hub Spigot
- The raised centre of the hub that locates the wheel
- In-Tank Fuel Pump
- The fuel pump mounted inside the fuel tank
- Inhibitor Switch
- The gearbox switch that only allows starting in park or neutral
- Multi-Plug
- A multi-pin electrical connector on a wiring harness
- Refrigerant
- The gas/liquid that carries heat in the air-conditioning system
- Transfer Box
- The gearbox that splits drive between the front and rear axles, and selects high/low range
- Wiring Harness
- The bundled cables that carry power and signals around the vehicle
- Blower Motor
- The fan that pushes air through the heater and air-conditioning
- Earth
- An electrical ground connection back to the battery or body
- Head Gasket
- The seal between the cylinder head and the engine block
Common questions
Using this guide.
What are the common faults with the Land Rover Freelander 1.8?
Garages and workshops regularly encounter 21 documented faults on the Land Rover Freelander 1.8 — four concern the engine and fuel system and three the electrical and ignition. Each fault above lists the symptoms, cause, fix and any parts needed.
Does every Land Rover Freelander 1.8 have these faults?
No. These are patterns documented across the model by workshops, not predictions for an individual car. Where a fault applies only to certain vehicles or VIN ranges, that is listed with the fault.
Can I check for Land Rover Freelander 1.8 faults when viewing one?
Many of them, yes — the documented symptoms are things you can see, hear or feel on a viewing or test drive. The 'Before you view one' checklist above turns each documented fault into a quick check you can tick off as you go.