After just one year on the road and 15.000km in the clock my MY2012 TDV8 with DPF started smoking heavily during full throttle actions. At cruising and during normal driving there is no smoke, although when I`m doing 60mph and smashing the throttle, huge black smoke clouds leaving my exhaust.

I know Land Rover issued LTB 00513 Technical Bulletin in this regard. This is briefly of changing oil drain pipe meanwhile drilling hole to the oil pan. Unfortunately I`m not sure if the one and only Hungarian dealer having any experience in such activities. Moreover there is only a handful such vehicles in the whole country.

I would rather count on your expert opinion whether it is worth starting all these procedures with little experience at dealer`s side or just leave it and start live with smokey.

Did anybody went through this modification of TDV8 engine?

Thanks 4.4 TDV8 Vogue Buckingham Blue MY12
from Hungary

Yes there is something on here regarding this - I remember reading about it 12 ish months ago - only one occurance from memory - the search function should find it for you

I put the details you gave in your message into the "Google search engine" ,and got all the necessary info.

Sorry I can't be more helpful .

Please see bulletin cover for reference.
Thanks for advises if there are any personal experiences, or just for any expert advise in this regard

Click image to enlarge

what exactly would you like to know?

nightmare of a job access wise (most important part in my opinion tapping the drilled hole)
the good news is most of the gear needed to actually perform the mod comes with the kit
well worth doing (especially if your car is still on warranty)
did fix the problem in all cars i,ve seen modified

Expertise - to be honest there is more physical labor involved rather than
craftsmanship so i think your dealer techies will manage
important part of operation is to make sure to move the turbo bracket away from new drain pipes

Thanks for the advise Adigorn. The vehicle is still under warranty. But my concern is that the Budapest official LR service has very little expertise in this regard. Moreover although still under warranty mostly I have to persuade the staff to do anything and if they are in good mood and kind enough they might take a look!

1. With little experience on this modification (from service) can anything be damaged during the process?

2. If I`m rather not taking the risk of drilling holes on engine parts, and leave as it is now, can it damage other parts (like turbo, etc.) on the long run? Does it cause any additional harm besides of the smoke generated?

3. After modification completed any precautionary measures has to be taken? E.g. changing of oil?

4. Does this affect future warranty claims? Extending warranty?

5. If anybody made this modification afterwards everything went normal? No more smoke and no additional mishaps?

Honestly I`m a bit worried before handing over her for this major operation.
Thanks as always 4.4 TDV8 Vogue Buckingham Blue MY12
from Hungary

I had a similar problem last year and asked my dealer to look at it and mentioned this known issue. He said they were aware of it and knew what needed to be done and they would sort it out. However, when I got the car back none of the invoices given to me mentioned whether this was the fix used or something else and the dealership that fixed it have never bothered confirming when asked.

But once they "fixed" it, I haven't had any smoke issues from the car and there has been nothing else to report on it for the last 6 months so fingers crossed.

I was told that it does not really damage anything in the long run if left as is and it is just burning a little oil, but I'm not experienced enough to know if this is true or just fibs from the dealer. hopefully someone on here will be better informed...

sorry I couldn't be of much help. MY11 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - "African Queen"

1 all steps of modification are in service procedure
so following steps the risk is limited

2 I would opt FOR doing it rather than not doing
have not seen any bad points of NOT doing the mod on 4.4 (yet)
but have seen 3.0tdv6 almost damaged by NOT doing the mod

3 changing oil would be good but not necessary

4 Modification is LR approved so if anything would affect warranty
it would be NOT doing it

5 all cars we modified are perfectly fine

Thanks for all the great contributions and advises. Until now I was not sure whether I sould go for it or not... But now after receiving these expert answers I made up my mind and go for it.
Then I think that all TDV8 engines were manufactured on the same manner (between 2010-13) so why LR did not do a recall on this issue? Or is it just "advised" to do the mods?
This is one of the main reason of the forum to exchange thoughts and more importantly expertiese, and I got what I wanted! Thanks again 4.4 TDV8 Vogue Buckingham Blue MY12
from Hungary

My vehicle is currently under 'Land Rover Extended Warranty' and one of the exclusions is 'exhaust systems including diesel particulate filters.' Is this an 'exhaust system' fault - i.e. am I going to be screwed over as I've heard it's a big job?

I`m just ahead of this job, but I spent the last few hours translating the bulletin, just in case if anything would not be clear at the dealer/service!
After reviewing it, I do not think that it would be categorized as exhaust system. It is rather lubrication system, or turbo charger, or engine, but less exhaust I think.
Did you check you VIN number on top of bulletin? 4.4 TDV8 Vogue Buckingham Blue MY12
from Hungary

Thanks. Yes fingers crossed it is covered. My vehicle is in the affected range - I'm surprised that the dealer didn't just sort this out? Or is it not an official recall/service action?

Have the same issue on my 47k 2012 , dealer was vague on the service bulletin detail but said it would be either Land Rover or the warranty that will cover it. I have an oil leak and weeping rear dampers too. Don't like the sound of a dealer fitted tapped oil pipe to the block. 2012 4.4TDV8 VSE
2004 TD6 132k miles- SOLD
1995 Land Rover Defender 110 Tithonus Ex Military
1995 Land Rover Discovery 3.9i V8 manual

My main dealer said that there wasn't an official JLR recall note on this, and that a) they couldn't advise if the modification had already been done or not on mine, and b) they wouldn't do any work without demonstrable symptoms (as they won't do proactive works).

So this is 'pending' on my 4yr Westminster despite the TB and having full original & approved extended warranties until May '18...

It's not a recall but a service bulletin. The dealer said recalls are generally safety issues. I wonder if most owners notice, it was a friend following me that flagged it up. I'll report back if the upgrade is covered by LR or the warranty. Either way it should be leaking oil through the turbos. 2012 4.4TDV8 VSE
2004 TD6 132k miles- SOLD
1995 Land Rover Defender 110 Tithonus Ex Military
1995 Land Rover Discovery 3.9i V8 manual