On Thursday I checked the oil and water in our '99 L Series for a road trip. As expected, oil fine but low on water, every time I check the water, the bottle is empty - topped up.
Then drove 400kms to Waikawa/Picton including climbs over the Kaikoura Ranges in 30 degree temps with 5 on board. As it was so hot, I turned the AC on. After a while, noticed the front passenger footwell flooded in water - literally 1/4 inch of water in it - turned AC off.
Next morning checked again, oil OK, water bottle empty. I'm sure there was far more water in the footwell than I had to top up. Could it have come from the AC? Footwell has been damp on occasions, but not like this. I don't use the AC.
Saturday left Waikawa, round the Queen Charlotte Drive and over the Nelson Ranges to Motueka. This morning, oil OK, coolant bottle wasn't empty but below low.
Today have been over the Takaka Hill to Golden Bay and the Waikoropupu Springs. Its a 8km drag up Takaka Hill, 2nd and 3rd gear all the way - I counted 112 bends many of them hairpins or very tight - then mainly 3rd gear on the decent so as not to fall off a bend into oblivion!
Passenger footwell swimming pool aside, the Freelander has performed great dragging 5 of us 1,200kms so far. Tomorrow, we head back south via Buller Gorge Adventure Park, Punakaiki Rocks, overnight in Greymouth before the BIG climb up Otira Gorge over the Southern Alps and home.