To buy or not to buy??

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Karlos28 said:
Well, after loads of poking around I think I fancy a facelift 1.8 now..

Assuming I buy one that is currently working and is not in a state of hgf.. (presuming that it will have had it done previously at some point) what is the best way to keep it serviceable?

Am I best to take the head off a perfectly fine (?) Engine and replace the gasket for the 'N' series gasket, new radiator, water pump and a good old flush of the cooling system?

Is is possible for a running engine to have a slipped cylinder sleeve? And if there is a slipped sleeve am I correct in thinking the engine is scrap?

I know this is a well covered topic, but that head gasket thread is huge and wanders quite off topic!
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Slipped liners can often be heard as a clicking as the liner bashes up and down. Slipped liner is not engine death though.
Don't rag the engine until it is fully up to temperature to reduce the problems of thermal shock. Fit a PRT if it doesn't have one.
Replace the coolant and pump if they are due.
The HG may go. Or it may not. Don't toss cash at something that may not become a problem in your ownership.
 
Good advice. Cheers fellas.

I am hopefully going to look at one today so I will check out any history. If there isn't any I can judge the state of the system by looking at the coolant I guess.

Interesting, what's the fix for slipped liners then? I am always quite delicate with my car's when cold, I seem to have a lot of mechanical sympathy! Think it's from my 200sx days of warming the turbo up before you use it too much!
 
I also saw a bit about the PRT when I was watching a few YouTube videos. It was mainly MG guys fitting the Freelander PRT's to theirs. Does that mean some freelanders didn't have them fitted?
 
Karlos28 said:
I also saw a bit about the PRT when I was watching a few YouTube videos. It was mainly MG guys fitting the Freelander PRT's to theirs. Does that mean some freelanders didn't have them fitted?
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I think the pre 2000 K series didn't have them but post 2000 did.

Probably
 
Ahh ok great, I'm after a facelift anyway.

Went to look at one today, it was almost up to temp on the gauge. Coolant level was a little low, and there wasn't much pressure in the system, I opened the coolant bottle and it was just kinda black murkey water, didn't smell of much, no signs of mayo in the cam cover.

VCU was fitted, he had been driving it, I took it for a quick spin and it was very slightly warm.. the rear tyres were newer than the front..

3 window regulators need replacing, rear tailgate handle needs replacing, exhaust centre section needs the hanger rewelding or replacing, the aft sump guard type thing was also hanging off.

Other than the usual stuff it seemed ok really! Walked away as the seller was really annoying, but then realised I shouldn't not buy a car because of the seller!
 
Karlos28 said:
Ahh ok great, I'm after a facelift anyway.

Went to look at one today, it was almost up to temp on the gauge. Coolant level was a little low, and there wasn't much pressure in the system, I opened the coolant bottle and it was just kinda black murkey water, didn't smell of much, no signs of mayo in the cam cover.

VCU was fitted, he had been driving it, I took it for a quick spin and it was very slightly warm.. the rear tyres were newer than the front..

3 window regulators need replacing, rear tailgate handle needs replacing, exhaust centre section needs the hanger rewelding or replacing, the aft sump guard type thing was also hanging off.

Other than the usual stuff it seemed ok really! Walked away as the seller was really annoying, but then realised I shouldn't not buy a car because of the seller!
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As a project car is sounds OK but should have been VERY cheap. No more than £500
 
That was my issue, £800, didn't want to move much either so walked away. First one I have driven though and I was pleased with how's it was to drive. Much smoother than my BMW!
 
Karlos28 said:
That was my issue, £800, didn't want to move much either so walked away. First one I have driven though and I was pleased with how's it was to drive. Much smoother than my BMW!
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I bought an 02 with similar issues last year but also a suspect HGF for £280. Turned out the HG was fine. :p
Everything else about the car was great.
 
Yeah, think I'll keep looking. I'm certainly in no rush anyway! I'd be happy to sort those issues, but probably want to spend a bit less.
 
Just discovered some 'Freelander challenge' videos on YouTube. Well impressive, plus they are all 1.8 or the V6.. nice to know they use the K series for racing though. Anyone know what sort of mods they are allowed to/commonly do?
 
I'd go with the black HSE. The blue one is a low spec model, so isn't worth nearly as much as the range topping HSE.;)
 
Karlos28 said:
Just discovered some 'Freelander challenge' videos on YouTube. Well impressive, plus they are all 1.8 or the V6.. nice to know they use the K series for racing though. Anyone know what sort of mods they are allowed to/commonly do?
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They're limited to race rules. Change wheel size, lift suspension, fit roll cage and usual MSA requirements. Have ter be mot'd and road legal. Must be a production built car. They fit the td4 suspension.
http://freelanderchallenge.org/Freelander_Challenge_Car_specs.html?m=1
 
How did I not find that site!

Bloody impressive that they are pretty much stock... Though I'm pretty sure I hear one fella he changed the cams in his K for some from a rover for more torque? And another fitted a turbo.

Everything I have seen is quite old, does it still run?
 
Karlos28 said:
How did I not find that site!

Bloody impressive that they are pretty much stock... Though I'm pretty sure I hear one fella he changed the cams in his K for some from a rover for more torque? And another fitted a turbo.

Everything I have seen is quite old, does it still run?
Click to expand...
Fitting a turbo may make the car go quicker - but is penalised in their scoring system - so the net is presumably not worth while or else they would all have turbos (if it is allowed because a turbo is not a standard fitment to petrol Freelanders).
 
Karlos28 said:
How did I not find that site!

Bloody impressive that they are pretty much stock... Though I'm pretty sure I hear one fella he changed the cams in his K for some from a rover for more torque? And another fitted a turbo.

Everything I have seen is quite old, does it still run?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately this season there weren't enough taking part. Ian was looking to sell the red one. Pat rolled his yella one at the end of last season, writing it oft. They were rewriting the spec rules fer this season. Hopefully next year it will be back if more enter. Yer can't fiddle with power eye dun't think. Yer odbii port is covered anorl ter stop tinkering
 
Yeah I noticed there was only a handful, and that was 2016 I think.. shame! Hopefully it will come back.. do they also have to be road legal?
 
The guys selling that black hse won't budge on price, for the work needed I'd say it's about £100 too much.. I will try him again next week!
 
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