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Cabin Creaking Noises
Cabin noises are a nuisance that we can’t all do without. These noises have a mood of their own. Sometimes you hear them, and then for no apparent reason, all is quiet. Some pop up at low speeds and stop complaining when you speed up, while others chatter when you step on the pedal. Locating the noise source is sometimes more irritating than the noise itself.
Freelanders are generally known to be the quiet type. However, there are a few commonly occurring rattling and creaking noises. Range Rover has a service bulletin about center console leather squeaking. The remedy involves taking off part of the seat, which sometimes can lead to other issues depending on how the part is reinstalled.
Another commonly reported unwanted noise originates from the front seat because of the metal-metal contact between the seat suspension mat hooks and seat frame. It can be easily verified by visual inspection. Although there is a Service Instruction defined for it, putting some leather padding at the point of contact of the metal parts should solve the issue.
The dashboards, in most cases, rattle sooner or later, and Freelander is no exception. This rattle is due to components becoming loose due to vibrations or a bad repair job. Check for loose screws, fasteners, or trims. Depending upon the culprit, tightening screws and fasteners and padding up loose trim should do the job.
The next place to look for noise is the doors. Because of the doors’ constant opening and closing, the trims’ components tend to shake loose. So if you experience noise originating from the doors, check and tighten loose screws, use padding if the noise is due to metal on metal contact, or use some lubricant in case of noisy hinges.
The Sunroof May Jam Due to Broken Guides
This is a common problem with the Freelanders made before 2007. The sunroof stops operating either because the sunroof guides have dirt and grime or the guides have broken. In case of dirty guides, wipe out the dirt and grime, re-grease it, and you should be good to go. The best way to clean them is to blow compressed air down them from the sunroof channel area.
You will need to have a technician replace them in case of broken guides because it is difficult to DIY. The replacement cost, including parts and labor, is approximately $565.
Sometimes the lines that carry the rainwater to the ground get stuck because of the accumulated debris. It can be a messy and costly issue because if the leaking is substantial, then the upholstery and the electronics can be damaged. So the sound thing to do is regularly clean up the drains for any dirt.
Another reason the sunroof might leak is because of damaged rubber seals that run around the edges of the glass. These rubber seals ensure that the sunroof is watertight when closed. Rubber seals become worn out due to use and sunlight. When this happens, the roof will no longer be watertight. Our advice is to seek technical help to install rubber seals.
Door Lock Replacement
Not a significant problem but very irritating and could ruin your entire day. The door latches in Freelander are very susceptible to failure. The problem manifests in two ways: you cannot lock your car, or if it is locked, you can still open one of the doors. The only solution is a replacement because the whole thing comes as one unit.
The average cost for a Land Rover Freelander door lock actuator replacement is between $312 and $343, including labor costs varying between $119 and $150.
The Engine May Idle Poorly After a Cold Start
The Freelander/LR2 of model years 2008-2011 and 2013 exhibit poor idling after a cold start. This event generates fault codes P050B, P050E, and P061A stored in the engine control module (ECM). On average, this issue pops at around 75,000 miles. This poor idling is due to the ECM software. Downloading the updated software resolves the problem.
Engine Noise Due To Broken Doors Inside Intake Manifold
An inlet manifold is a part engine responsible for providing air/fuel mixture to the cylinders. The intake manifold is a critical piece in the engine’s jigsaw, and a bad intake manifold can have many consequences, such as
- Coolant leaking to the ground.
- Engine idles roughly or stalls.
- Poor engine performance, including worse fuel economy.
- Your engine makes weird noises while idling
- Engine overheats.
There are doors inside the intake manifold that vary the manifold length. When these are broken, the air/fuel mixing gets affected, and the engine makes a weird noise. The model years involved are 2002-2005; the average mileage after which this issue is usually observed is 118,000 miles.
The cost to repair the intake manifold can range between $400 and $600, with labor costs ranging from $ 340 to $420. Meanwhile, the parts only cost about $80-$165.
Leaky Coolant From Thermostat Housing
Thermostats are valves that help to control engine temperature. The way it works is that when the engine is cold, the valve remains closed, and no coolant flows to the radiator. When the engine heats up to a specific temperature, detected by the thermostat, the valve opens up to let coolant into the radiator to prevent the car from overheating.
There are two conditions under which the valve can malfunction. In the first instance, an open valve fails to shut at the appropriate temperature. In this case, the engine runs colder than usual and may cause the check engine light to be lit. It can cause poor fuel mileage and the heater to blow cold air.
The second condition of a faulty valve is when a closed valve fails to open at the desired temperature causing the engine to overheat. The average cost for a Freelander thermostat replacement is between $934 and $1089, out of which the parts are priced at $340. The models affected were from 2002-to 2005.
Mass Air Flow Sensor Failure
The air filter is the lung from where the engine breathes. Air is one of the elements needed for the combustion of the air/fuel mixture. A clogged air filter results in poor engine performance, such as low fuel efficiency, emission of black smoke from the exhaust, and engine becoming lethargic. It is advised to change the air filter as per the maintenance schedule and regularly clean the air filter of dust.
If the filter is not inspected and cleaned regularly, then there is a chance that the mass air flow sensor can cause the check engine light to illuminate. If that happens, clean or replace the air filter. It costs between $50 to $70 depending upon the quality, and if the sensors have gone bad, that would cost you another $215-$354.
Watch the video below to see how to clean a mass air flow sensor in a Land Rover (the video is for an LR3, but the LR2 is very similar).
Transmission Slipping Due to Worn Clutch Packs
A widespread problem with 2002-2005 Freelanders is slipping transmission. It happens because of worn clutch packs that are inside the transmission. The only remedy is to overhaul or replace the transmission.
Repair costs for a Land Rover transmission vary across different models, but on average, it could cost between $1,800, while a brand new one would cost $3,400. The cost of labor can range between $79 and $189.
Parking Brake Issue
The parking brake is an essential element of a car. It is used to hold the vehicle when it is stationary and unattended. For model years 2008-09, an out-of-adjustment parking brake cable results in the parking brake not holding, which can mean either the brake does not activate or that the brake is active and is not releasing the wheel drum.
The average cost for a Land Rover Freelander parking brake system adjustment is around $59 and $75, and no parts are involved.
Steering Faults
Steering faults are another common fault among various Land Rover models, including Freelander. In Freelander’s case, the tell-tale sign of a steering problem is a whining sound.
There are three common root causes for this problem. The most trivial is the clogged gauze at the bottom of the pump reservoir due to the lack of oil in the pump. Secondly, if, in addition to the whine, the steering feels heavy, especially at low speeds or when parking, then that means the pump has seen better days, and it is time for a replacement; thirdly, and in the worst scenario, the steering rack needs to be changed.
The average cost for a Land Rover Freelander fuel pump replacement is around $536 and $561. The parts cost $441, while the labor cost is between $95 and $120.
Faulty Fuel Gauge
The faulty fuel gauge is among the most common electrical problems in Land Rover, and Freelander is no exception. Although, more often than not, corroded connectors are to be blamed for the intermittent signals, there is a possibility that the incorrect reading is caused by the fuel sender unit itself or a faulty ECU.
The connectors are easy to replace, and on the surface, you might think that you can live with a faulty gauge, then think again because if the ECU determines that the tank is empty even when you know it is not, the ECU will shut off the vehicle to prevent damage to the car and not start again.
The average cost for a Land Rover Freelander fuel level sending unit replacement is between $964 and $983, including labor costs estimated between $71 and $90.
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
Read more about our fantastic team on our about page!