17 Jun 59 Comments Alex Box FL1 Tips & Advice, FL2 Tips & Advice , , , , , , , , ,

How To Check Your Freelander Fluids

There are some fluids in your Freelander which should be checked on a weekly basis – we know many vehicle owners do not lift the bonnet from one service to the next but we will still advocate weekly checks! Remember, these fluids are the things which keep your engine running, your brakes working, your steering turning and your vision clear; the last thing you want is for them to run too low when you are doing 70 mph down the motorway.

Here is how to check the “weekly check” fluid levels on your Freelander:

Engine oil:

The oil dipstick handle is bright yellow for ease of location. See the diagrams for the location of the dipstick on your model of Freelander.   

Freelander 1 2.5 K V6 Petrol

(Image is with engine cover removed)

V6 FL1

Freelander 1 L-Series 2.0 Di (1997 – 2000)Photo 11-06-2015 13 19 18

Freelander 1 Td4 2.0 (2001 – 2006)

FL1, TD4, DS, SW, BFR, OFC, CR, PSF

Freelander 1 1.8 Petrol

FL1 1.8 DS,OFC, CR, BFR, PSF

Freelander 2 2.2 TD4 

FL2 2.2 Diesel TD4

Freelander 2 3.2 Petrol

FL2 3.2 litre1. Ensure your Freelander is on level ground and the engine is cold. NOTE: You MUST NOT check the oil level in a Freelander whose engine is warm as some of the oil will still be around the engine and have not settled back into the oil sump, hence it will not give a true reading. Checking the oil level when the engine is warm is likely to result in a lower reading than the true level and can cause you to overfill the oil. Overfilling the oil can result in burst seals and engine damage.

2. Withdraw the dipstick. Using a clean rag or paper towel wipe all the oil from the dipstick.

Please note, each dipstick will look slightly different in each model.

(Dipstick from Freelander 1 V6)

Dip stick

(Dipstick from Freelander 2 2.2)

IMG_1052

3. On the bottom part of the dipstick there will be two marks. These are the minimum and maximum oil levels marked ‘LOW’ and ‘HIGH’.

(Freelander 1 V6 dipstick marks) 

IMG_1027

4. Insert the clean dipstick back into the tube as far it will go, then withdraw it again.

5. Note how far up the dipstick the residue of oil is – this can be difficult to see when the oil is clean. The level should be in between the minimum and the maximum mark.

6. If your oil level is below the minimum level (and your engine is cold with the Freelander parked on a level surface), gently add oil through the filler cap on the top of the engine (turn anticlockwise to remove), a little at a time, checking the oil level in between each addition, until the level is between the minimum and the maximum. A funnel may help to avoid spillage.Note: Approximately 1.0 litre of oil will raise the level from the lower mark to the upper mark. DO NOT overfill, this can cause as much damage as having too little oil.

7. If your oil level is above the maximum level you will need to have the excess oil syphoned out of the system.

Coolant:

The coolant level varies with the temperature of the engine. When the engine is cold the coolant level should be on the MAX mark on the side of the expansion tank. When the engine is hot, the level will rise slightly. Check the photographs for the position of the coolant expansion tank on your model of Freelander.

Coolant reservoir min and max level

1. Check the level of your coolant against the two markers on the side of the reservoir – MIN and MAX. 

2. If the level is below the minimum, wait until the engine is cold then SLOWLY unscrew the expansion tank filler cap anti-clockwise to release any pressure in the system, and remove it. BE VERY CAREFUL, IF THE COOLING SYSTEM IS STILL PRESSURISED AND HOT THIS WILL JET OUT AND BURN BADLY.

3. Add a coolant with OAT (Organic Acid Technology) – this is all RED (pink) or orange coolants, not blue or green – to the dilution stated on the container through the expansion tank filler neck, until the coolant is at the MAX level mark. Do NOT overfill as the coolant will not have enough space left to expand into and hence will blow the cooling system and can cause as much damage as not having any coolant). Refit the cap, turning it clockwise as far as it will go until it is secure.

4. If the level is above the MAX mark you will need to syphon out the excess coolant.

5. If the coolant in your coolant system is green, blue or plain water you are recommended to drain the cooling system; flush it out and replace it with a red coolant (one with OAT)

Brake fluid:

Check the photographs for the position of the brake fluid reservoir on your model of Freelander.

For both Freelander 2 models you will have to remove the lid above the engine bay to reveal your Brake fluid reservoir.

Screen Shot 2015-06-17 at 09.58.14

The MAX level marker is indicated on the side of the reservoir and the fluid level should be maintained to this level at all times. 

Brake fluid reservoir max level

1. Wipe the area around the filler cap with a clean cloth. It is a good idea to inspect the reservoir as the fluid should be changed if dirt is visible.

2. If the brake fluid level is below the MAX level carefully add brake fluid through the cap, avoiding spilling it on surrounding paintwork. Use only the specified hydraulic fluid; mixing different types of fluid can cause damage to the system and/or loss of braking effectiveness.

3. After filling to the correct level, refit the cap securely. Wipe off any brake fluid you may have spilt as this can damage paintwork and irritate skin.

Power Steering Fluid:

Check the photographs for the position of the power steering fluid reservoir on your model of Freelander.

The MAX and MIN level marks are indicated on the side of the reservoir and the fluid level should be maintained between these marks at all times. 

Power steering fluid min and max

1. Wipe the area around the filler cap with a clean cloth. It is a good idea to inspect the reservoir as the fluid should be changed if dirt is visible.

2. If the power steering fluid level is below the MIN level carefully add PAS fluid through the cap, avoiding spilling it on surrounding paintwork. Use only the specified fluid; mixing different types of fluid can cause damage to the system and/or loss of steering effectiveness.

3. After filling to the correct level, refit the cap securely. Wipe off any PAS fluid you may have spilt.

Screen wash:

Check the photographs for the position of the screen washer fluid reservoir on your model of Freelander.

FullSizeRender

1. Check the level of your screen wash by removing the cap, you should then be able to see the blue screen wash fluid, if not then it needs topping up. There are no markers on the screen wash bottle.

2. If you cannot see the screen wash then it needs topping up preferably using a screen wash additive diluted as stated on the container. If you do not have access to a screen wash you can use plain water, this will not clean the windscreen as well as a screen wash but it is certainly better than nothing!