Hi all, please be gentle and reply in layman terms as not a mechanic.

I have a 1998 1.8 Petrol Freelander, problem i have is when the engine is cold the car is real lumpy, if seams worse in 3rd gear but does stutter in all gears and when the car is under load (putting down some power). i can drive 3 or 4 miles turn off the car restart and drive off and all seams OK.

not being very mechanically minded, i am guessing that it could be something to do with the auto choke, but i have no real idea.

Is anyone able able to point me in the right direction. Thanks

Lumpy tick over and stuttering under load may be plugs or coil pack problems.
It may sound daft but check all the plugs are tight I had one that wasn't seated and and miss was the result
I also had a miss fire problem under load turned out to be the coil breaking down.
A trip down the breaker may be on the cards.

Cheers Edge, got a local mechanic and friend checking it out on Tuesday for me. So will publish the outcome - please be a cheap fix