I boughta 2003 Freelander SE with 41kin May.The first week of June Itook itfor a road trip which encountered a high mountain-pass (12,000 ft). Before making my return, I noticed a very slight high-pitch rattle from the front end whch turned out to be a crack in the engine block. The dealer honored the 3 month warranty by replacing the engine (2.5 liter) with the same (salvaged) engine from another FL with 2,000 miles less than mine.

Two issues have occurred since getting my FL back a week ago:
-When inspecting the "new" engine at the dealership, I noticed the coolant reservoir was completely empty (it was then filled).
-A day after getting it back, the service engine light came on and a test revealed a PO175 code.

The dealer reset the engine light and said to keep an eye on it. Needless to say, I'm not too happy about this experience so far. Any suggestions on what I should do at this point?I reallylike the vehicle but fear the worst is yet ahead.

Adviceto any of myquestions below is greatly appreciated.

1. Was the dealer's resolution to the engine issue reasonable?
2. Should I expect any better results with the replacement engine?
3. Can anyone offer any additional insight to the PO175 code?
4. Did the dealer take the correct action to resolve the code?
5. Is there anything I can ask the dealer to do about the coolant leak?
6. Will the coolant leak cause serious damage to the crankshaft?


Thank you,

-Dave

 

ok i will try to answer some.

1) if you were under full warranty you should have got a new motor
if you only have extended warranty the a known good motor with the same miles
was ok, was this a land rover dealership or another type?

2) the main failure of the kv6 motor is overheating by leaking coolant in various ways
and dropping a cylinder liner. i can not answer yes or know but i have never seen a
kv6 block crack.

3) bank 2 rich code, oxygen sensor? other issue?

4) it depends on the warranty type you have.

5) most of the time people don't do the proper bleeding procedure when
filling the cooling system on a freelander.

6) a coolant leak will cause the engine to overheat and at extremely high temperatures
anything can happen.

 

Raid13,

Thanks alot for your comments. This entire situation is troubling and I didn't exactly have an extra 10K to blow on a lemon so I do appreciate your feedback. I'm only under a limited warranty and I bought the FL at an imports dealer; not sure if they're an authorized LR dealer...

I'm going to keep a close eye on the coolant for now. Coincidently, I'll be taking the same mountain-pass on a trip later this month so I think I'll have a better idea of how the "new" engine handles under severe conditions. Worst case scenario - I now have a 101 day warranty with the new engine through the company that sold it and my dealer will preform any work should this engine fail within the warranty.

The dealer says the code indicates a leak with a vaccum hose. They said this code isn't unusal when an engine is replaced, but the original computer is still used. They reset it and I'll feel a little safer if I get back from my trip and it doesn't come on again. Do you think that's a reasonable test?

With regards to your response to #6, can I prevent the engine from overheating if I constantly monitor the coolant reservoir and temperature gauge?

Lastly, if woarse comes to woarse, I think I might just sell it and consider this entire experience an expensive and time consuming test drive. I think I'd get all or most of my money back. What do you think of that resolution? : )

Thanks again,

-Dave

 

is the freelander right for you, i don't know.
i like the freelander, but there not without there problems.

1)overheating the v6 motor in the freelander is like death to that motor.
2) there were some problems with the jatco transmission's i have replaced
some on the early ones.
3) the heater core on them leaks sometimes and its
way in behind the dash.
4) not many techs know how to work on them.

ok some good things

very good in soft sand, better on gas than the other land rovers
the smallest land rover for parking.

as you can see some of the bad things out weigh the good
the engine mishap would be a good excuse to get out of it
and get your money back from the import dealer.