Just got the 2003 Freelander back from the shop. I had the timing belts changed, the water pump changed and the Thermostat assy changed along with those plastic tubes. The mechanic drove the car and said it ran fine. On the way home, it ran rough as a cob...like it wasn't fining on all six cylinders. I pulled over and shut the engine off and looked under the hood-nothing obvious. The car started and ran fine. As I continued home, I took it up to 90 mph and it ran fine.

At home, I read use my code reader and got 0300, 0301, 0303 and 0305 which indicate cylinders 1,3 and 5 misfired and that makes sence...when I had problems, it could have been one or more cylinders not firing.

I let the car set for a few hours and headed out on another test drive-everything was fine. I stopped for gas and when I started the engine, the service engine soon light came on. I drove it a couple of miles and read the codes again....same thing 0300, 0301, 0303 and 0305. However, the car runs fine.

Tomorrow, I check and ensure the spark plugs are tight and the wires on properly.

Got any other ideas for me??? You advise is always appreciated.

 

Don't wait for a reply, call your mechanic Monday and tell him what is going on. This may be something he cause and needs to be checked quickly.

 

Thanks Disco Mike

I tried to call him on the way home Saturday. I'll try again on Monday.

I did some troubleshooting today. When the engine runs rough, I can stop the engine and restart it and that clears the problem. I pulled each sparkplug and checked for spark and they all throw a healthy spark. So I am thinking what do cylinders one, three and five have in common? The first thing that comes to mind is a fuel rail the feeds their fuel injectors. So I'm thinking I have dirty injectors or some crap in the fuel rail.

Another suggestion was to use the official Land Rover spark plug and to replace the spark plug wires. I am thinking about doing that too plus ordering new coils (it's only money).

I'd like to get some training to become a good car mechanic. I have been through aircraft mechanic school and I have worked professionally as an aircraft mechanic. BTW, today's cars are more complicated than any turbine powered aircraft I have worked on. I do really good on cars with points and condensors, routine maintenance on newer cars and I have restored a VW Golf, a 1973 Datsun 240Z, 1979 Triumph Spitfire and my present project (almost done) 1999 Saab 9-3 SE convertible.

 

The Engine ECU will cut the fuel to a misfiring cylinder to prevent the catalysts from overheating. Once a misfire develops, that cylinder is off until the engine is switched off and restarted. As recommended by Mike, take it straight back to the garage and let them check it out.

 

Okay...My Land Rover Freelander is returned to service. The shop removed the intake and replaced the gasket...that cleared the code and all six cylinders are firing. So, having replaced all the spark plug wires, left bank coils, spark plugs, timing belts, the water pump, the fuel pump, and the thermostat housing, I should be good to go for at least another 70K miles. Oh, and I have had three of the four window regulators replaced.

If I could say something nice about the car....it is excellent on snow and ice. The car's strength is how it handles snow and ice. The down side is the fuel pump, timing belts, thermostat and water pump fails each 70K.

This weekend, I think I'll detail the car, update the records and list it for sale. So, if you are looking for a very nice 2003 Freelander...please call me.

Check out the pic




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