Thread: '98 Freelander 2.0TD purchase help...

It will be a L series Diesel. K series are the petrol models.

Usually when the head gaskets blow on these it is due to a poor cooling system service history and the head gasket which is a MLS gasket rusts and blows. Its not a common issue with these engines.
Apart from the normal head pressure surface checks with a blown gasket, I would change the glow plugs while the head is off and replace the timing belts with quality name product like dayco.

I have one of these with 213000km and my brother has one with 330000km on them and they both still run well. Biggest issue with these is the IRD unit and if you dont need 4wd you can remove the tail shaft and run it as a front wheel drive.

Ah my mistake!

as long as they're not a giant money pit, I'm happy to look into it. Hopefully oil in the coolant and black smoke just means the gasket however I have been told a genuine head is only around $600 AUD so either way...

I have read that the gearboxes have build quality issues but cant seem to find much detail? Whats the go with that?

Gearboxes are fine, IRDs are fine it is the VCU that causes the issue but after 15 years this has most likely been resolved. I sold my L series diesel with 280,000km and was running great - a very reliable vehicle but I did monitor the VCU constantly.

Garry

Cheers,

What did you do to ensure the VCU was in good shape/maintenance regime?

Checked it every 5000km. If you do a search in the Freelander 1 section you will find various ways of doing it.

Garry