Theres no doubt in my mind at all that they know the score but will never admit it as it would open the flood gates to what seems to be a totaly crap design which is not fit for purpose. Recaling all affected cars and fitting upgraded parts would cost more money than they would want to pay out thats for sure and thats if there are any upgraded parts available.
Untill then they will just keep fitting useless parts at our expence and brushing it under the carpet

That's really interesting, can you tell me how you did the poll or if you still have the findings?

No poll needed, just look on here and other sites on how many failures there have been reported and alow a percentage for none reported fails and it dont take to many brain cells to work it out.
Dont get me wrong, I love landrovers and have had a few but for me and several people I know they have been the most unreliable cars I have ever had or worked on.

The clutch on my 43k miles TD4 has started slipping, with the characteristic rise in revs when accelerating in 5th / 6th and no corresponding increase in road speed. I think we're all pretty disappointed with the prospect of a big bill for something that should last a lot longer. I've never replaced a clutch in any car in 20 years of driving and have kept plenty of cars to well over 100k miles.

Rang the independent LR specialist in Cheltenham and they were amazed that it was slipping at that mileage. They've seen plenty of FL2s with over 100k miles on the original clutch. They think the clutch slip will be down to the clutch, rather than the DMF, but would check the condition of the latter if I get them to do the work. Quoted £610 (£400 labour and £210 for the clutch kit), presumably with VAT on top.

Rang Stratstone near Gloucester and they reckon they've done quite a few clutches on these and cite failure of the crankcase oil seal and subsequent contamination of the clutch plate as often the cause. Quoted just under £800 inc VAT to replace the clutch and thrust bearing and if it's the oil seal, it would be a further £30.

Both garages seem to think that the DMF should be OK (vehicle hasn't been used for towing).

When others have had their FL2 in for a clutch, has the crankcase oil seal been diagnosed as the root cause?

Assuming that the DMF is in good nick (not sure how they tell...), presume it's worth getting the thrust bearing and master cylinder done at the same time?

Was reading on another forum of somebody 'curing' clutch slip by letting the clutch in (presumably with a mega amount of slipping!) at high revs and whilst in top gear. I guess this causes a build up of heat, which might just clear any oil contamination. Sounds like a long shot to me and the heat and abuse won't do the DMF any good. Anybody tried this cost free 'cure'?!

Cheers

well I am quite relieved to read on here that I'm not the only one! i have a FL TD4 HSE 2009 with only 31k on clock, i've noticed the clutch slipping recently so took it into my local dealership, only to receive a call earlier to say they are going to have to strip it back to see what the problem is.. apparently I am told if its wear & tear it'll only cost me 1,300k to fix!! In over 20 years of driving I have never experienced a clutch problem and certainly didnt expect one on a car under 3yrs old! this brought me to look online to see how long a clutch should last when I found this forum! and thank god I did as I see I'm not the only one and will now stand my ground if I experience any problems getting this fixed under warranity.. watch this space!

Mine recently began to show signs of slip but two long drives of 400 miles a day and it seems to have cured itself, its not doing it at the moment anyway, time will tell.
But if yours is slipping and quick 400 mile drive round the block might help?

Further to my earlier post, I thought I'd see whether I could 'burn' any deposits off the clutch plate, by some full on clutch slipping. I used a fair few revs, engaged sixth gear whilst sat in a layby and let the clutch out to the point where is started to bite. I left it slipping for around 10 seconds, until the engine finally stalled. Not a pretty sight (or sound) for anyone with a hint of mechanical sympathy, and a fair bit of pungent smoke came out from underneath. However, I'm pleased to report that (for the moment at least), there is no longer even a hint of clutch slip. This leads to me to conclude that the slipping on my FL2 may well have been as a result of a small oil leak from the crankshaft oil seal and the 'burning' process has cleaned the clutch plate for now. Accept that I will have worn away some of the clutch lining and the DMF won't take kinly to this sort of abuse, but for now at least, I'm free of clutch slip and the car drives absolutley fine.

Let's see how long it lasts and whether the DMF now packs up promptly...!

Took mine to the dealer with all the symptoms described by others. They took a look and although no obvious wear they said it would need done now (mine's a 60 plate) so that it didn't get any older and become a wear & tear vs warranty issue. So on one side, great service and no quibble. On the other, they denied any knowledge of what seems to be a regular problem - I can't believe a LR dealer that sells as many as they do hasn't had this returned before. Still, I know the service manager and he doesn't strike me as the dishonest type...

Either way, off to find out if the slip and juddering has now gone (did others with this problem feel like they were driving over rumble strips when the clutch slipped?) or whether it's back to the dealers again....

Maybe I should just order a Disco instead?

andymcp wrote:

Maybe I should just order a Disco instead?

What flashing lights and 80's music???  2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

simont wrote:

andymcp wrote:

Maybe I should just order a Disco instead?

What flashing lights and 80's music???

All the best clutch problems get solved with flashing lights, 80s music and a glitter ball.

andymcp wrote:

Either way, off to find out if the slip and juddering has now gone (did others with this problem feel like they were driving over rumble strips when the clutch slipped?) or whether it's back to the dealers again....

Maybe I should just order a Disco instead?

Yes just like rumble strips, good description
Make sure you get a DJ that knows his Records from his CD's.

Never got the rumble strip noise.
The clutch just slipped at peak torque. Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

Pegleg wrote:

Never got the rumble strip noise.
The clutch just slipped at peak torque.

Mine started slipping at 72k, thanks to the forum I took the decision to flog it before it got too bad. JB

Mine 59XS showed momentarily slip at 50000 miles when accelerating hard in 6th gear. I asked the LR main agent to look at it and advise at the last service, they reported that the mechanic found nothing unusual, he couldnt get it to slip he said.
4 weeks later its now slipping in 4th 5th and 6th under acceleration, so I took it in and the service manager came out with me so I could show him.
He said it was very rare for the FL2 clutch to give any problems
Anyway I made it slip and he said oh, its slipping yes I can see that.
Book it in and as long as we say its slipping when from changing from gear to gear and not under acceleration when youve not touched the gears we can do it hopefully under warranty.
Now he's saying Yes it is a well known problem on the FL2 due to sticking pressure plate springs, apparently, and when the replacement is fitted it is not the same but a modified unit, apparently.
Now you know.
Oh and if its not warranty its 1200 quid. and 1 day maybe going over to 2 days work