I am the new owner of a 2003 dark blue with brush guard dII with 103k miles on it. Free of engine lights, all scheduled maintenance, new transmission and in pretty good shape. It does have a few problems though, the headlights have condensation, the steering wheel has a fair amount of wear and the rear left door will only open from the inside. Also the drivers door will not open with the keyless entry but all the other doors do.

Do yall have any good advise for simple fixes or solutions to these problems and what else to look over? I read about the 4 drill holes in the lights that can fix the condensation. I plan to do a couple simple mods such as wheels, tires, tint and hid's.

Any good input?

Thanks guys

 

whats up with everybody on here buying '03s? I bet you're the 4th guy in the past month.

 

Probably because the price was right....

To be fair, they might not have been aware of the oil pump problems.

I bought my '03 just before it was widely known. I shrug my shoulders and deal with it as I would a potential head gasket leak...just an inevitable, yet fixable aspect of Land Rover ownership provided you're quick with the ignition switch.

On the plus side, at least he didn't get a Freelander. People are practically *giving* those away, shot engines and all, just to be rid of their payments.

 

https://landroverforums.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=26352

HID head light kits are illegal.
As for the drivers door it will open with the key, yes?
That is a bad power door lock actuator, not a big deal, you can fix it in a day.
As for the rear door, probably a broken spring in the door handle, also not a huge deal.
Both require removing the inside door panel.

Read though that link that I posted.

 

oh yeah? freelanders have a high engine failure rate?

 

Coolant leaks around the cylinder sleeves.

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0dd618
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTtW-qKYtrg

From what I've read, LR isn't making new engines.

The guys above will rework one for probably no small amount of $$$. The other option, and a short term one, is to track down a used one.

 

And because the Freelander is AWD NOT full time four wheel drive the viscous coupler goes bad and that is big money to fix also.
Lets keep in mind though that the Freelander engine is a BMW engine from the ground up, so you cant really blame LR for it.

 

Hey thanks for the link Spike. I am weary about the fuel pump and headgasket problem as well, I found out about this unfortunately after the title was in my posession. Is it all 2003's or just certain vin#'s? Also the key is sort of hard to take out of the ignition upon turning off the vehicle. Do I use key powder to help or do I just not have the hang of the twist and pull method yet?

I'm glad to hear most of the problems are easy fixes but I am wary of the hg and fuel pump problem.

Thanks again guys!

 

here is the BAD vin range 3A771801 – 3A808362... we all deal with the head gasket problem. with 103k miles on it your head gaskets are either nearly destroyed or have already been replaced.

 

You mean the Oil Pump, not fuel pump. If you get a red oil light and buzzer make sure you shut the engine down right away to minimize damage.