Land Rover Repair: belt guard, land rover freelander, plastic barrier

Question
I have a 1999 1.8l petrol land rover freelander. I am getting snow and mud in my belts. Is there a guard to protect the belts. Also, my freelander stalled and wont start. I pulled a plug wire and I had spark, so I pulled the fuel pump, cleaned and replaced it. I was able to get the vehicle running for about 5 min. The vehicle died and wont restart. I now have no spark at the plug. I took the coil lead off at the distributor cap and I have spark. Any ideas.

 Thanks

Answer
Hi Lee,

hmmm...snow on the belts.  Have you considered making a full under-engine barrier?  I don't think LR has this but I know a fellow who did something like this for his Suzuki.  He fashion as black plastic barrier (thick grade) from a large piece of utility matting and rivetted it to the underside of his vehicle.  Snow was somehow blowing up under the engine as he travelled and affecting his electronics (something like you?).  The barrier he rigged prevented the snow from penetrating his engine compartment AND his coil was no longer being soaked.

I don't know if you can block the engine area from the grill - you'll have overheating conditions.


You are on the right track over the loss of spark.  Could be your wires need to be replaced even BEFORE you had snow trouble.  When is the last time you replaced your plugs and wires?  Could also be a timing problem in combination to the old wires and wet conditions.  

I hope this helps, otherwise, go to www.discoweb.org and check out the bulletin board for Freelanders.  A fellow Freelander owner should be able to direct you to a solution that they have used.

Best of luck,
JohnMc