Is my Freelander TD4 a dud???

[Mark Paterson]

Hi,

I have a 2005 Freelander TD4 (2.0L turbo diesel). I bought it brand new.

Recognizing that it is something of a 'toy' 4WD, I had hoped I could at least do a bit of beach driving (i.e. not dunes, but relatively firm sand including entry to the beach over soft entry tracks). However... I have been sadly disappointed.

My Landy is fine on hard sand (i.e. freeway-style driving). But getting on or off the beach via some soft sand has proven all too much for the Freelander. Even without bottoming out on the sand, once you begin to loose momentum it seems to just shut down. Trying to move from there involves just about burning out the clutch (literally) to get free. Even then, 9 times out of 10 you'll need to get towed out.

Most depressing of all is the fact that even toy Korean 4WD's will be successfully negotiating the beach entry while your mighty Land Rover is sitting there bogged. Very, very sad.

I don't claim to be the world's most skilled 4WD driver. I could be doing something wrong. However, I wanted to check in to see if there's any advice on what I can do with the vehicle to get better performance, or whether it's a hopeless case.

Thanks & Regards,

Mark Paterson :(

0459 841 006

[Scouse]

I assume you've reduced the tyres pressures considerably ???
If not, go down to around 15psi.

In my experience, the Freelander is one of the best LRs on sand in standard form. I must admit that I haven't driven a manual version on sand though but the autos are unstoppable.

[scarry]

Lower tyre pressures as said,keep up as much momentum as possible.Manual TD's are difficult to drive in sand,compared with an auto.In a manual you must keep the revs up high,as once they drop,as you have probably found out,it's all over.Quick gear changes are an absolute must as well.

Good luck,keep trying.

[catch-22]

Hi Mark, I think you'r right. I think it is a dud and you should sell it to me really really cheap and buy and Kia.. :D

[101RRS]

The FL1 is one of the best 4wds (softroader or full on 4wd) on sand. So I would say it is either your driving style, high tyre pressures or you have a dud but after 5 years of ownership I doubt it.

Yes the clutch is a bit weak and power is reduced below about 1800rpm where the turbo is off boost but more importantly max torque comes in at about 1800rpm - but this is really no difference to other turbo engined vehicles.

You say you have burnt out your clutch getting off the beach - this indicates driving style. When you stopped did you let your tyres down further, did you dig out the wheels etc - the normal 4wd actions if you get stuck. The low ground clearance on a FL1 is a bit of a furphy as the clearance under the engine (flat surface good for sliding) is not much less than the pumpkins on most un modded 4wds. To be bogged and constantly dropping the clutch or riding it is not the way to get out - you will just dig yourself deeper.

Garry

[justinc]

Yes.






:p


Seriously thogh I reckon tyre pressures are your first stop. Even less than 15 if you encounter powdery sand, but try not to steer too hard at those pressures. Unfortunately I agree that these Td4's WILL eat just about any little japper offroad, and on road too, but don't let anyone hear me say it will you?:angel:


JC

[bluetongue]

sounds like tyre pressure fer sure...
... first time I took my manual prado out on the sand it was like you explained - I'd taken the pressure down to about 20 psi - but I was revving the absolute crep out of it to make it move over the slightest of dunes.

Took the pressure down to about 15....
.... it was like a tractor.

Unstopable (... even pulled a few rangies out of trouble that day ;-)

[davesq]

Hi Mark,

I bought a 2005 TD4 manual freelander as well. I found it loved the beach but it took a bit of a change from me when behind the wheel.

Driving the freeway you could be a bit lazy & 'lug' the car up hills etc, but on the beach you had to be more alert & agressive with the throttle.

I found as soon as you dropped out of turbo boost the car would almost sink. Get those revs up, generally about 2.5 to 3G is fine & make sure the tyre pressure is right. The standard tyres are only 195's, but let down to about 15 psi they are ok. Last summer I spent a week on the beach at Manning Point & did not get stuck once, despite a soft & steep exit ramp.

Just be a bit carefull & not afraid to give it a bootfull, you should be OK.

Dave

[Grasshoppr]

Bit of a late posting, any way I have a 04 manual. Goes like the clappers in the dunes and soft sand near the waters edge. Tyre pressure low, have not gone lower than 18lbs, First gear, push the little button in at the gear stick (some times I forget :D) revs up above 1800, pop the clutch and keep the reves up and your off. change up if required however this takes out the hill decent mode.
I can follow toyo's, nissies, mitch's and leave those jappy things on every steep dune. I have smoked the clutch, but that was rock climbing, I had to get pulled up this big rut. Did'nt have the ground clearance. She's got a big heart though.
Just keep the turbo in the boost range or it's over, clutch straight in, revs up, clutch out. having said that and what I know now, should have looked for an auto,
happy motoring
Bruce:)

[Jojo]

G'day Mark
Just a thought as an add-on to all that already has been said (airing down, keeping up momentum in a manual): make sure your viscous coupling is not shot, in which case you are left with 2WD only!
Otherwise I cannot fault a FL, quite capable on dirt tracks and even off track.
Cheers

[101RRS]

G'day Mark
Jmake sure your viscous coupling is not shot, in which case you are left with 2WD only!


Not so - when the viscous coupling fails it locks up so you have permanent four wheel drive - unfortunately you get the transmission windup with associated failures when driving on hard surfaces.

I think you are confusing the VCU in the drive train with a cooling fan viscous coupling which does slip when it fails - we are talking two different systems and fluid types.

Garry

[Demi]

Having owned a D2 diesel and FL Td4 auto, I can say that there is not a lot the Freo wont do. It groaned a bit up some steep stuff but the auto makes it forgiving. Worse case you just HDC back down. Keep the revs up and you 4 wheel spin before it dies. Sand was a breeze with tyre pressure down.

I got to use it at Fiskville in a sand pit with CFA and there was one trick I learnt - IFF you stop: Reverse over the sand you just compressed. Helps to be in a straight line. Worked every time for me, but if I tried to push forward, it just dug-in. So reverse a bit so as to get up momentum. You need to keep moving on sand. (I know In know, you all know this but some of us didn't until someone taught us :) ) Heavy turning in sand causes dig-in too so gentle turns best. Put all this theory into practice at Robe in SA... proven.

Remember these little beasties have TC (well mostly). Even when it is raining I have no hesitation pulling right off the road out of the way of the sleepy people. Never been stuck yet and IFF I do get stuck I will be happy to call a towie. Fun to play in mud with a Freo.

Someone I met with an XE Tdi Freo manual told me the reverse gear was hopeless and even with low tyre pressure was not good in sand. But it also only had 210Nm donk. Stuffed if I know why the P0ms stuck such an underpowered oiler in the marque.