Land Rover Repair: 1998 4.0SE Land Rover/Range Rover, air suspension system, coolant hoses

Question
HI. Please help
this vehicle is being given to me by a friend for 4,000. she had an accident in the vehicle, it flip over. she had it repaired and has not driven the car for about 5 yrs, just started it up. Problem 1. I noticed it will only start in Neutral. is that a problem

2. transmission oil is very clean, redish like it should be
oil is dark though

3. SHould we change Breaks, since it has been sitting up

4. Is there any other issue it may have from not being driven

oh miles ar 74,000

thanks Sondra

Answer
If it only starts in neutral, either the shifter linkage has seized or it needs adjustment, or the neutral safety switch has gone bad.  Try adjusting the latter or you will need to change the switch.

I am not quite sure I understand what you mean in  your second point.  I presume you are saying the engine oil is dark, in which case it should be changed along with the oil filter.

You do not need to change the brakes, but there is a good chance the brake accumulator will have gone bad in 5 years.  You will have to have it checked.

I would recommend a thorough inspection at a garage, but here are a few things that may need to be addressed:

1)  Radiator may become partially blocked over years of sitting
2)  Coolant hoses may have rotted and all of them may well need changing.
3)  Heater core o-rings may have rotted away
4)  There can be a multitude of problems with the air suspension system.
5)  I would recommend adding fuel injection cleaner to a fresh tank of gas.

There is a good chance that there will be a lot of work needed on this vehicle.  I would suggest you get it thoroughly inspected along with an estimate for all required work before purchasing it.