Hello there, Im new to the site, although I've been scanning the FAQ's for a while and I've been impressed by the level of expertise that's obviously out there. So Id very much appreciate some advice on a problem that's developed with my car.
I own a 2002 Freelander TD4, 3 dr hardback, bought new and which now has 27,000 miles on the clock. I enjoy driving it I tried a few other 4x4s before buying and found the Freelander to be the best drive of them all. As I go fishing and mountain biking it gets (light) off-tarmac use from time to time and its been particularly good in the arctic conditions weve had of late I live in the NE of Scotland. That said, its had a catalogue of faults, some serious, which started less than a month after I took delivery and continued with depressing regularity since. Ive been very disappointed with the reliability in general, but to date all faults have been fixed by my local dealer under the 3 yr warranty now expired.
Recently it has developed a vibration which appears to be coming from the transmission when the engine is in the higher gears, under load at 50+mph. In a fit of optimism I had the wheels balanced, but to no end. This vibration became very noticeable in fact increasing to a knocking at one point - when I was driving on the motorway last weekend, so much so that I pulled off the m/way as soon as I could, thinking Id have to call the RAC (again) to get me and the car home. However as soon as I left the m/way, the problem appeared to resolve itself with the vibration either disappearing completely or at least reducing to the point where it was barely noticeable and I felt it safe to nurse the car home. Driving around town at low speeds and in the lower gears does not seem to bring on this vibration.
Im concerned that this could be the IRD/viscous coupling shot, but I understood that this is more of a problem with older pre-2000 vehicles at +70,000 miles. As my car has only 27,000 miles surely this is much too soon for this to occur? Is there anything else less serious that would result in these symptoms?
As I said Id appreciate advice or pointers before I go anywhere near my local Landrover dealer, as it looks like Ill be paying for this one.....
I own a 2002 Freelander TD4, 3 dr hardback, bought new and which now has 27,000 miles on the clock. I enjoy driving it I tried a few other 4x4s before buying and found the Freelander to be the best drive of them all. As I go fishing and mountain biking it gets (light) off-tarmac use from time to time and its been particularly good in the arctic conditions weve had of late I live in the NE of Scotland. That said, its had a catalogue of faults, some serious, which started less than a month after I took delivery and continued with depressing regularity since. Ive been very disappointed with the reliability in general, but to date all faults have been fixed by my local dealer under the 3 yr warranty now expired.
Recently it has developed a vibration which appears to be coming from the transmission when the engine is in the higher gears, under load at 50+mph. In a fit of optimism I had the wheels balanced, but to no end. This vibration became very noticeable in fact increasing to a knocking at one point - when I was driving on the motorway last weekend, so much so that I pulled off the m/way as soon as I could, thinking Id have to call the RAC (again) to get me and the car home. However as soon as I left the m/way, the problem appeared to resolve itself with the vibration either disappearing completely or at least reducing to the point where it was barely noticeable and I felt it safe to nurse the car home. Driving around town at low speeds and in the lower gears does not seem to bring on this vibration.
Im concerned that this could be the IRD/viscous coupling shot, but I understood that this is more of a problem with older pre-2000 vehicles at +70,000 miles. As my car has only 27,000 miles surely this is much too soon for this to occur? Is there anything else less serious that would result in these symptoms?
As I said Id appreciate advice or pointers before I go anywhere near my local Landrover dealer, as it looks like Ill be paying for this one.....
