Hi guys,

Been to look at a lovely freelander 2 today. It's an 07 se spec, immaculate inside and out at a main agent with only 62.5k on the clock with full history. I was really impressed with the drive, the look and the sound of the freelander, the only thing that concerns me is when I took the oil cap off, there was nothing in the cap itself, but the slightest amount of white stuff around the filler neck. I know the car has been sitting around the garage since Friday morning and the temperature has dropped a bit since then, and the previous owner only pottered about in the car. Is this something to be concerned about, as I would be spending my hard earned on this and don't want the problems a few weeks/months down the line.

Quite common on cars that do short journeys. Now, if the oil was creamy, that's a different matter. Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

Probably previously owned by a drug dealer  MY 09 GS manual in Lago Grey, Wood Co arm rest and side bumper strips - now sold.

MY 15 SD4 SE Auto Orkney Grey with colour coded Bumper Door Mouldings

Reading a lot of stuff into this particular topic. really like the motor and want it to be something trivial. Is it something to take a gamble on, or walk away????

It just sounds like condensation. The filler neck will cool down quicker than the rest of the engine and attract condensation. As said, if there's no water in the oil, the coolant level is correct and nothing untowards coming out of the exhaust, it wouldn't bother me. Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

Go and look at others
emulsified oil is not a good sign.there is always the excuses when buying
"it potters about"
"it's cold "
I have four vehicles 2 petrol two diesel
some in garages some not
some which do few miles etc
none of them have any emulsified oil at filler neck

Always check others
as you say it is hard earned money that will pay for it.

The garage have rang me back to say that one of the valves is sticking so they are replacing all the valves, sending the head off to be skimmed and replacing head gasket at the same time before I have the car. Got to speak to them again this afternoon to give them an answer. What do you guys think, is it more of a worthwhile buy now this work is being done???

LR Main Agent ? What sort of warranty ? FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

Its main agent but from ford, ford 6 month gold warranty

Good start its a main agent and doing some work but read this:

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/a...h-your-car

If the head is coming off why not ask them to put a full cam belt kit on to include the water pump. Once the belt has been disturbed its going to be less reliable anyway.

Good luck FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

On your first post, you said you were impressed with the drive. I can assure you that if that car had a 'sticking valve' it would have driven like a dog. I've changed my mind now if that's what they are saying. I'd look elsewhere. Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

Scratch the post about the valves, it's the exhaust manifold that's gone and what they are replacing. The salesman has just rang me back to apologise. That's what the clicking is when engine is reved or on Rickover. Steve D your post makes sense now about the drive etc. So it's all back to how I described reference condensation etc, with a new exhaust manifold.

The condensation wouldn't massively concern me if it was only a small amount and if the contents of the water bottle was clean and the bottle wasn't stained a brown kind of colour.

I served my time as a truck mechanic and some of the trucks were bad for it. We always used the correct grade of oil and just put it down to short runs in cold conditions. None of them ever developed any problems related to this.

However I am always warrie of salesman. Why once you pointed this out did he investigate? A straight up salesman would have it sorted before the car went on The forecourt and going from the cylinder head skimmed and valves sticking to the exhaust manifold being changed smells like a wee porky to me.

A honest person/salesman along with a genuine service history is the main things I look for when buying a used car.

He was reporting back to me what the mechanics were saying to him. I've asked him the same questions, but he says it's only what they were telling him. Imngoinbto go up on spec Saturday morning and see the motor for myself again to make sure they are telling the truth.