Freelander's Multiple Issues, MAF Sensor or Worse?

Hey there! I've got some experience working on Land Rovers, I own an '06 Discovery with the 2.0 petrol engine. Had super similar issues last year! Black smoke, jerking, stalling, the works. Initially thought it was the MAF sensor too, but turned out to be damaged wiring harness. Some cables were worn out and causing all sorts of electrical gremlins. My mechanic found several spots where the insulation was completely shot. Cost me about 95 Euro for the repair job, which wasn't too bad considering all the symptoms it was causing. Totally worth it, car's running smooth as butter now. Before jumping to conclusions though, could you tell us: Have you scanned for error codes? When did these symptoms first start? Does it happen more when the engine's cold or warm? Let me know these details and I might be able to help you narrow it down better! BTW, saw plenty of Freelanders come through my workshop with similar issues, but it's always good to confirm the specifics first.

Thanks for the detailed reply! Mine's at 72863 KM and just had its service last month. I've got the error codes scanned, showing P0171 (system too lean) and P0174. The symptoms started about two weeks ago, gradually getting worse. Definitely more noticeable when the engine's cold, especially in the mornings. Your wiring harness issue sounds interesting, I'll have my mechanic check that out. The previous owner didn't really take great care of maintenance, so worn-out wiring could definitely be the culprit. Did you notice any improvement in fuel consumption after your repair? I'm currently burning through fuel like crazy!

Hey again! Yeah, those error codes definitely ring a bell, had the exact same ones on my Discovery before finding the wiring issue. And yes, the fuel consumption improved dramatically after fixing the harness! I was burning through a tank way too fast before the repair, just like you're experiencing now. Since you mentioned it's worse when cold, that's another similarity to what I dealt with. My car would act up something terrible on cold mornings, practically had to cross my fingers every time I started it! Looking at your KM reading, you're actually not far off from where mine was when I had these problems (mine was around 78000 KM). The fact that your previous owner wasn't big on maintenance makes me even more convinced it could be the wiring, these engines are pretty solid, but neglected maintenance can really do a number on the electrical system. Quick tip from my experience, while your mechanic's checking the wiring, have them take a look at the connectors near the throttle body too. Found some corroded connections there when mine was being fixed. Might save you another trip to the shop! Let me know how it goes with the mechanic. I'm really curious if it turns out to be the same issue. These symptoms can be super frustrating, but once you get to the root cause, these engines run like champs again!

Thanks so much for all the helpful advice! I just booked an appointment with my mechanic for tomorrow morning. You've actually made me feel a lot better about this, was worried it might be something catastrophically expensive! Will definitely have him check both the wiring harness and those throttle body connectors you mentioned. The similarity between our situations is really striking, same codes, same symptoms, and even similar mileage. Really hoping it's just the wiring like in your case. That repair cost sounds way better than what I was imagining! I'll keep you posted on what the mechanic finds. If it turns out to be the wiring harness, I'll owe you a virtual coffee for saving me from potentially going down an expensive rabbit hole chasing other problems. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience in such detail!