Freelander 2004 project car - ideas and advice

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ElliottG

Member
Posts
33
Location
Oxford
Hi all, brand new to Landyzone but very excited to read more of what is on here!

Me and my partner were given a 2004 Freelander 1.8 petrol from some relatives after the engine packed up. We thought we would take it on and spend time working on it. Mostly the car is for learning more about mechanics and Landrovers (limited knowledge at the moment, hoping to build on it!) with the hope to turn it into the ultimate European trips car.

First step is coming up in a few weeks time which is to replace the engine, got a weekend set aside to do this. Will post some photos of it as we go!

Just wondered if anyone had advice on what would be really worth doing or looking at while the engine is coming out? Seems a great opportunity to replace filters, make sure the starter motor and alternator look fine. Is there anything else you would suggest looking into at this point given we don't know much about its history and unsure what else could be on its way out!

Thanks all, am looking forward to the project.
 
Gearbox and clutch etc. would be good if while its out you have access to it, heavy duty/high quality parts could mean you'll never have to worry about doing those high labour jobs again while you have access :)
 
Thanks Ryan,

Of course, obvious now you have said it! I shall put that on the list and look up some guidance on checking their condition and signs of wearing :) Got a Haynes manual on the way so hopefully that will help! I heard some forums mention the VCU but wasn't sure if it is best steered away from if new to the game?
 
Ordering the engine tonight, will just be a cheap one from eBay that simply needs to get the freelander back on the road. As it will only be a second hand 50k miles engine I imagine there are some quick clean ups and wipe downs I should do to it before it goes in.

Was thinking along the lines of the exhaust outlets (forgive me if I am naming these parts wrong!) and potentially any area where oil/fuel would have build up over the miles. I can't seem to find a good post on "non overly complex mechanical overhaul, simply a guide to quick wins" when it comes to the engine. If someone could point me right that would be great.

I'll be sure to take some photos once the project gets under way next weekend!
 
If it was mine i would be putting a New timing belt on the new engine and possibly a clutch and maybe putting a head gasket on it at the same time as 50k seems to be the rough mileage they go
 
Started on this day! Got all geared to go and after two hours have had to stop as the plastic under tray won't come off! Have search the forums and lots of posts about there being two 10ml and some large bolts in the middle and sides. However on this tray I only have the two smaller bolts at the back and no sign of anything others! Seems be a large number of plastic "rivets" (unsure of the proper term) and seems I would have to break them all to get it off. Seems this could be a prior owner or mechanic making a change.

Unless I am missing something, such as removing the front bumper? but other than that I can't see any other bolts to undo, just these plastic rivets holding it in place and can't find anything else on the forum about this!

Thanks guys.
 
ElliottG said:
Started on this day! Got all geared to go and after two hours have had to stop as the plastic under tray won't come off! Have search the forums and lots of posts about there being two 10ml and some large bolts in the middle and sides. However on this tray I only have the two smaller bolts at the back and no sign of anything others! Seems be a large number of plastic "rivets" (unsure of the proper term) and seems I would have to break them all to get it off. Seems this could be a prior owner or mechanic making a change

Unless I am missing something, such as removing the front bumper? but other than that I can't see any other bolts to undo, just these plastic rivets holding it in place and can't find anything else on the forum about this!

Thanks guys.
Click to expand...

There is 4 13mm bolts at the back on either side of the alloy part of the tray and 2 at the front tucked up behind the bumper pointing upwards the plastic should come with the alloy cradle
 
Hey, sorry for no reply!
After two days hard work we actually got pretty far, the under tray did finally come out but the previous owner must have made some modifications as the bolts were not quite as I was expecting! Sadly the engine didn't make it out over the weekend as we had such trouble getting many of the parts off.
Got the rented engine crane coming back this weekend and with only a few more parts to undo (rust allowing) the replacement should be finished by Saturday night. I will try and take some photos when not covered in oil to see progress.

After the new engine is in I will move onto seeing which other parts of the car need some work. Taking into account what @Landydandytd4 mentioned above.

Will keep you posted!
 
Is the new engine from same year Freelander as your own? If not you might have issues getting it to run.
Definitely do the timing belt, tensioner and water pump and while the timing belt is off and the engine is out of the car it might be worth doing the head gasket. It's not that hard to do in situ but easier on the bench. Even if the HG is OK you'd be lucky to get another 20k miles from it.
Definately check the VCU, search for the "one wheel up test" for how.
Check the fuel tank cradle, it'll probably be in bits.
 
Hi @Alibro thanks for the comment.
Yes the engine is the same, so fingers are crossed it will run fine! The seller assures me they did all the needed tests and shouldn't have issues. The engine I am taking out has had recent belts fitted so plan is to swap them to the new engine as they have only done a few thousand miles from new.
From draining the coolant we think there probably was also a coolant block somewhere in the system but with taking the old engine out it should take out the blockage too!
I might well do the head gasket, or at least get a new one ordered for replacement soon.
Very interested to do the one wheel up test, fingers crossed it isn't too bad a result.

Hadn't thought of the fuel tank cradle, will slide a little further back under the car this weekend to check it out, I have so far noticed that the exhaust system seems to be 95% rust so that might have to go on the list of needs doing soon.
 
ElliottG said:
Hi @Alibro thanks for the comment.
Yes the engine is the same, so fingers are crossed it will run fine! The seller assures me they did all the needed tests and shouldn't have issues. The engine I am taking out has had recent belts fitted so plan is to swap them to the new engine as they have only done a few thousand miles from new.
From draining the coolant we think there probably was also a coolant block somewhere in the system but with taking the old engine out it should take out the blockage too!
I might well do the head gasket, or at least get a new one ordered for replacement soon.
Very interested to do the one wheel up test, fingers crossed it isn't too bad a result.

Hadn't thought of the fuel tank cradle, will slide a little further back under the car this weekend to check it out, I have so far noticed that the exhaust system seems to be 95% rust so that might have to go on the list of needs doing soon.
Click to expand...
Blockage in the coolant could be Kseal or similar. Some people swear it works but others say it causes blockages. Look for tiny copper strands in the coolant.
The VCU should be good for around 100k miles unless the previous owner has been driving with missmatched tyres or pressures. Either will shorten the life of your VCU (make it stiffen prematurely) but if looked after well the VCU can be good up to 140K.
The exhausts seem to last pretty well so unless it's leaking I wouldn't worry about a bit of rust.
Other common issues to look out for are VCU support bearings
Rear Diff supports
Electric window regulators
Rear door handle issues including rust where the bolts hold the handle.

There will be other stuff too. Here is one of my project threads on a K series
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/looks-like-ive-done-it-again-doh.293904/
 
Good luck with this project Elliot - good to read that another 1.8 Hippo is being saved!

I've been going through a similar experience with my 2001 1.8 3-door. It's a lovely car to work on (I'm used to MGFs!) and have enjoyed the process immensely! :D

Build thread is here, on the Freelander forum: https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/return-of-the-land-rovers-kilo-hippo-delta.304131/

I didn't replace the whole engine - just the cylinder head. And the cams. And the stem seals. And all 16 valves. And the cam belt, tensioner and water pump. And a whole bunch of stuff more, but the engine is currently running sweet as a nut, so fingers crossed all will be well :)
 
@Alibro your thread looks great and really helpful! Already set it as a watched thread. I am sure I can get a good few years from this car if I follow all the great advice.

@rob_bell it is nice to see people saying positive things about a Hippo (that's a new term to me!). I have always wanted a landrover, and this seems like a great place to start off with owning them! Have also just put your thread as a watched one, really good to see what else can be done and what problems others have had.

By the middle of summer I hope to have the car (Kacey) in good enough condition to drive across Europe, so plenty of work still to go, and plenty of posts to be written!
 
Ali is a serial Hippo owner! I think he secretly likes them! Lol

I'm rather liking mine: a surprisingly capable off road. You'll love it :)
 
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