98 Freelander has everyone stumped...

Hi all,

Ok I'm rapidly approaching the end of my teather with my 1.8 freelander and a mysterious problem...

A few weeks ago, it started losing power whilst going up a small incline (no warning lights or anything), after descending through the gears made no difference, it ground to a halt.

The recovery guy pointed the finger at the head gasket ( what a surprise) and so I had it towed home, and a guy come out and change the head gasket, and flush out the coolant, as it was filled with white gak.

Only this didn't solve the problem, the car would still not turn over, on turing the key, it would chug for about a second, then die.

I had it taken to my local 4x4 specialist (the man for land rover in sussex Used, Pre-owned Land Rovers For Sale - The Man For Landrovers, Sussex UK), where it has been for the last 2 weeks, and had the ecu changed, the sensors checked the distribution unit checked, and now the fuel pump is being changed.

The thing that has everyone stumped is, it still has the same turnover problems, but if you remove any one of the spark plugs, it turns over fine.

Any ideas?

Collapsed cat? Disconnect the exhaust as close to the engine as you can before the cat and try to turn it over to see if the cat has collapsed blocking the exhaust gases from escaping.
Just a thought

I take it the starter motor is in good nick.

barrithehat said:

Hi all,

The thing that has everyone stumped is, it still has the same turnover problems, but if you remove any one of the spark plugs, it turns over fine.

Any ideas?

Click to expand...

Sounds like timing has slipped when initially changing head gasket

Knackered battery ? or bad connections between battery and starter.

Have you got enough air in your tyres ?

Nice one Chas 9 posts and you've caught the mood brilliantly.

I'd go with the timing first as it has been disturbed

got to agree with boxer. Chas, you will fit rite in