I have been robbed off by my main dealer and local LR specialist for the best part of a year.
My freelander 2009 TD4 eGS has been smoking on start up and whilst stopped at traffic lights and in traffic. The fumes poured into the cab. It was ok whilst driving at speed obviously blew fumes under car.

Anyway I hope this post helps other FL owners who are experiencing similar probz.

The previous garages I attended told me it was EGR valve which they replaced, then exhaust manifold which they replaced, they then then said it was various oil leaks which they said they fixed. None of this worked.

My FL was due its 90k service and I took it to a recommended local backstreet garage. Very honest. Serviced beautifully btw.
I then got told they noticed the smell in the cab and smoke tested the exhaust system with ?baby oil apparently. Hey, presto they found the leak between the downpipe and turbo. Ultimately cost £60 for part and fitted. Now as good as new.
Just wanted to share as appears so many garages included LR main dealers are incapable of finding this simple fault.

Happy days now, here's to another 90k in my beloved FL. Tom Tom Go 6000 in dash DIY upgrade, privacy glass, General Grabbers 235/65/17, aftermarket heated front seats.

Very interesting. Baby oil - that's a new one (to me at least). FL2 TD4 GS 60 reg Facelift - so many issues
2019 DS. Terribly unreliable.
Sold DS for a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Fingers crossed....
Sold Outlander for a 2014 SD4 SE Tech because I’m mental
Now greatly regret selling the Outlander. MPG of the FL2 is atrocious and so are the fuel bills. Fun though 😎
Couldn’t afford the fuel bills so back to an older Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Significantly better than I remembered it to be…

Not sure how, one guess would be inject baby oil (heated) into the exhaust at the rear and look for leaks, it produces a thick white smoke, maybe blown in with a hot air blower?

bloody genius. FL2 TD4 GS 60 reg Facelift - so many issues
2019 DS. Terribly unreliable.
Sold DS for a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Fingers crossed....
Sold Outlander for a 2014 SD4 SE Tech because I’m mental
Now greatly regret selling the Outlander. MPG of the FL2 is atrocious and so are the fuel bills. Fun though 😎
Couldn’t afford the fuel bills so back to an older Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Significantly better than I remembered it to be…

Sounds like you have found a good mechanic there 👍

Yep - main garages are just as bad as others.... its just that they have a nice sign and coffee.

Took my Vectra to one once - they for got a bolt after having the wheel off for brakes...

T Terran



'The' Car For The Modern Day UK Roads ( ie all the pot holes )

'A Freelander that leaks oil is just marking its territory' - Wise words

Now a member of the FL2 'Silly Bill' Club

Hi all, i checked with my mechanic this morning and as promised i just wanted to let you know how he managed to diagnose the leak on the exhaust system.

The system he used comprises of an old smoke maker that used to be used in disco's etc.
he had made a fitment that fits on to the exhaust and it was also connected up to air compressor. The baby oil is what is used in the smoke machine apparently and then it is just blown up the pipe and observed for leaks.

Happy days Tom Tom Go 6000 in dash DIY upgrade, privacy glass, General Grabbers 235/65/17, aftermarket heated front seats.

it turned out to be a simple gasket repair at the top of the downpipes cost £40 to diagnose & fix.

Hope this helps somebody out and saves you a fortune. Tom Tom Go 6000 in dash DIY upgrade, privacy glass, General Grabbers 235/65/17, aftermarket heated front seats.