Just got this freelander a week ago. The ngine started ticking the other day and I thought maybe bad gas and it was a lifter. Went put premium and sea foam in, didn't work. Changed oil and put synthetic in, still the same. Next morning was going to take to local mechanic to let him listen, and the check engine light was on and it was missing. Let it run for 10 min. and it ran fin besides the ticking. Took to mechanic, and he checked with computer and said cylinder 4 misfire, then took off the valve cover and said cylinder 4 lifter was making the noise. He then said that it took special tools that he didn't have to replace the lifter, and put everything back together. Drove it home everything fine, besides the knocking still. This morning I went out and started it up, and it was missing again, and check engine light back on. I thought I would let it run for several minutes like before and it would be fine. Not the case!! Took it out down the road, and when I got up between 40-50 it was missing so bad it was shaking. So came back home shut it off and let sit for 30 seconds and started it back up. To my surprise it was running great (besides the ticking) and never had a problem the rest of the day. Even went and had the code cleared afterwards and the light never came back on. Any suggestions?? Could acoil pack cause these ticking noises? Are these lifters really a big job, and a problem with this engine? Also it is a 2005 FREELANDER WITH 75000 miles. THANKS FOR ANY SUGGESTIONS!!

 

Well, the missing could be a coil or faulty spark plug. As for the ticking, I've had that problem literally since day 1 and that was over 2 years ago and I haven't had any issues related to this happening. Don't take that as a sign that it's not a problem. I would suggest taking it to an actual Land Rover dealer for proper diagnosis of these issues, also one of the senior members here could give you better advice than I can. Give this post a few days to get some attention. Best of luck to you,

Chris

 

when was the last time you changed your plugs and wires? a misfire is generally a sign that you arent getting ignition in that cylinder... but that could be from a whole bunch of things... my advice is do the things that you can do yourself, change the plugs and wires and make sure you are getting spark... once you have done all you can then have someone look into it, try to find a rover specialist or a reputable shop near you, not the dealership, they will surely ask for your firstborn child as payment...
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PervertEva cam

 

Were there any other codes besides the cylinder 4 misfire? How is the coolant level? Pull your number 4 ignition coil out(middle rear coil) and see if any oil is present on the boot as this is a not common but not rare cause of misfires on these engines. Definitely replace plugs. 2004-2005 Freelanders do not have plug wires at all so good luck replacing those. As for the ticking, try to single out a more precise source of the issue. Sounds a little like the makings of a faulty variable intake manifold.

 

The last time there was a cylinder three misfire along with the four. I did change plugs after getting the vehicle home, but still misfired. As for the boot, it looked fine when changing the plugs, and none of the plugs looked abnormal. As for the ticking the shop I took it to said it was the cylinder 4 lifter??? As for the variable intake manifold, How would I diagnose, and are they expensive to replace?? Thanks for all the help guys!!

 

The variable intake manifold is the black plastic intake manifold. When the valves in them go bad, you will hear a very loud clacking that will sound very similar to extremely bad rod knock. Also, these engines are overhead cam, and do not have lifters. The camshaft lobes ride directly on pucks that sit on the top of the valve stem. Take a look at the coolant reservoir, is it clean looking or is there a murky ring around it at the coolant level? Has your coolant level been dropping? Take the oil cap off and look underneath, do you see anything that lookslike snot(this is a sign of coolant getting into the oil and is usually caused by a raised cylinder sleeve.

 

Intake-sounds like loud clacking coming from black intake manifold. Check coolant bottle for dirty ring around coolant level. Check underneath oil cap for what looks like snot-sign of coolant in oil which can result in lack of lubrication of the rod bearings causing wear and a ticking/clacking noise. Both of these could explain the misfire faults as well. Also check for vacuum leaks.

 

Just did some checking, oil cap looks good, no ring in coolant reservoir, and no known vacuum leaks. It sounds like the pecking is coming from more of the belt side back corner and right around the valve cover. One question I do have is, I have always thought with the vehicle running the oil would be higher on the dipstick? When I check the oil with engine running, there is absolutely NO oil on the dipstick? When I shut it off and let it settle It is right at the high or full mark. I just have noticed on all my other vehicles i have had, when you pull the dipstick out while the engines running it reads way high on the stick. Since the first time I messaged the vehicle has not missed anymore nor is the check engine light coming on. I didn't think overhead cam vehicles had lifters either, but I was told other wise and have also found them for this vehicle on landrover-parts.com. I dont know though???