My Freelander will not start and the engine is turning over very much faster than normal. I have checked I have a spark and fuel getting through and I have both but every time I turn it over it does not sound as it usually does. It does not sound if the engine is cranking. Can anyone suggest what it could be and also what I should / should not do as I do not want to cause any damage.

Jeremy Fisher, March 2009

ive worked with landrover for 4 years freelanders were common with blown head gaskit and blown engines
remove engine oil filler cape and check for roker cover de-laminated gaskit the brown gaskit between the rocker cover and cam caseing normally peels off that will tell u that the engine is cooked not worht doing head gaskit.if ok check timing belt not snapped and go for removal of head.but if all goes well expect another head gaskit very soon.or something or another with these cars .goodluck

mo..rust, April 2009

With a Freelander the most likely fault is a blown head gasket. When they go, they often take the engine with them.

I am afraid that your best best is to take the car to an Independent Land Rover specialist. They will be cheaper than an 'official' dealer. There won't be a fault that they haven't seen before with the 1.8 K series engine. (It's a pile of ****.)

T, March 2009

sounds as if the cambelt has broken,ive known cars to break the belt when people turn the engine off.

shaun, March 2009