Can using the recommended oil in the Land Rover Freelander 2 hasten camshaft damage?
The p/ex value of my Freelander 2 via a dealer makes the economics of selling unappealing, given its low utility of 27,800 miles. Following a substantial bill to repair the rear differential last week and sensitivity to 2007 being its first year of manufacture and registration year of the vehicle, I was eager to sell it. However I have now decided to keep the vehicle but to underwrite it with an extended warranty unless you say otherwise.
I have noted on several websites including your own that some higher mileage vehicles are suffering catastrophic engine failure following the exhaust camshaft fracturing. This always occurs adjacent to the fuel pump drive. Apart from misfueling or poor pump design causing this failure, another possibility exists. The manufacturer (Ford) insisted that the engine lubrication oil met a viscosity range and its internal reference WSS-M2C913-B. Contacting Opie oils, they inform me that the poor quality of the oil specified - a semi synthetic combined with some formulation manipulation - encourages the oil to degrade from its stated specification to a 5W 20 grade rather than 5W 30 grade oil, and this provides LandRover with lower fuel consumption figures and lower emission values.
The longer-term effect on engine lubricity combined with extended service intervals might be a contributory cause to camshaft failures. Land Rover have just revised their engine oil specification to WSS-M2C914-B. Castrol Edge Longlife 5W 30 meets this new specification. I am not clear whether it is a fully synthetic product. Any feedback on extended warranties would be very much appreciated.
I have noted on several websites including your own that some higher mileage vehicles are suffering catastrophic engine failure following the exhaust camshaft fracturing. This always occurs adjacent to the fuel pump drive. Apart from misfueling or poor pump design causing this failure, another possibility exists. The manufacturer (Ford) insisted that the engine lubrication oil met a viscosity range and its internal reference WSS-M2C913-B. Contacting Opie oils, they inform me that the poor quality of the oil specified - a semi synthetic combined with some formulation manipulation - encourages the oil to degrade from its stated specification to a 5W 20 grade rather than 5W 30 grade oil, and this provides LandRover with lower fuel consumption figures and lower emission values.
The longer-term effect on engine lubricity combined with extended service intervals might be a contributory cause to camshaft failures. Land Rover have just revised their engine oil specification to WSS-M2C914-B. Castrol Edge Longlife 5W 30 meets this new specification. I am not clear whether it is a fully synthetic product. Any feedback on extended warranties would be very much appreciated.
Asked on 12 August 2012 by JL. via email
Answered by
Honest John
Many thanks for that useful information that I will record in www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar
Generally I recommend Warranty Direct because in case of any problems I have a direct line to the MD who usually, but not always, responds favourably. The problem is that a dealer may attempt to exploit the situation by 'creating' a bigger problem than has in fact occurred, but they are less likely to do this if they have sold you the warranty and the warranty is the official warranty of the manufacturer.
Generally I recommend Warranty Direct because in case of any problems I have a direct line to the MD who usually, but not always, responds favourably. The problem is that a dealer may attempt to exploit the situation by 'creating' a bigger problem than has in fact occurred, but they are less likely to do this if they have sold you the warranty and the warranty is the official warranty of the manufacturer.
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