I got this beast today. Not having a good start to my first experience of the L322 Range Rover though sadly. But I am sure with the help of this forum I can turn it around into a long term beast.

It is a late 2002 Vogue 4.4 V8 with a private plate.

I followed the buyers guide almost to the T and went over the car with a fine toothcombe. I noted that BOTH rocker gaskets were leaking, 1 quite badly and the other not too bad. The seller told me that the gearbox worked perfectly and that it just had a top quality oil change by a garage. After pressing every button, test driving it and making it go through all the gears, got it up to 70mph, everything was fine. Gears changed smoothly, engine was good although a tiny tapping maybe very minute knocking noise was present on tick over. No smoke out the exhausts, Coolant stayed that same level before and after the test drive.

So agreed the swap. Handed the keys over to my Discovery and took possession of the Range Rover. I did the deal at my parents as it was half way between mine and the sellers home.

But the journey home got interesting. Got 1 mile away from my parents, the EML came on. No noticeable difference with how it was running. Then about 2 miles it started shuddering between gear changes very badly and there was a dinstinct vibration sound and noise that wasn't a constant noise but regular while going along at any speed.

Got 12.5 miles into the journey and the gearbox went into limp mode and apart from the gutlessness of the starts from standstill it drove like a dream, obviously not changing gears anymore.

The seller told me that the breather pipe was split on the back of the engine which is why the EML is on, and the gearbox oil needed to be changed a 2nd time after 500 miles of the oil being changed the first time by his mechanic. That doesn't sound too daft to me, but now I have a car that has multiple faults

However I absolutely love that car, and it literally has my name on the reg

So to sum it up all the faults I have found with it:

TV won't get any reception.
Display on the TV is slightly damaged with pixels missing in the middle.
Gearbox Shudders.
EML is on.
Passenger rear light has a star crack in it.
Passenger front indicator has a chunk out of it so water is getting in.
One of the Xenon or HID whatever they are lights is yellow instead of white and is coming up with a fault on the dash occasionally.
Small scrape on 1 arch and the rear bumper.
Stone chips in the windscreen.
Centre rear consol display is tatty.
Drivers seat has wear and needs re-dying in places.
1 of the 2 keys has no transponder.
The only key that unlocks the car has a dead battery.
The micro switch on the bootlid has gone for the top half.
The upper tailgate once opened will not stay closed until there has been lots of swearing and repeated shutting.
Reverse lights are terribly dull and I can barely see anything.
Handbrake does not work at all.
Wiper blades are all knackered front and back.
Passenger Mirror does not work.
Airbag light comes on and off as it pleases.
I think a wheel bearing is on its way out.

And while it is in limp mode, it is being very juicy and where I live meant that there were no open petrol stations around my way, So 1 job tomorrow is to get it to a petrol station before it runs out.

Before people think I may be mad for swapping my 05 D3 for this Range Rover, The D3 had a bigger list of niggly things wrong with it and had a very short MOT.

So now, I have 2 V8 Range Rovers. This one and a P38.

The photo's I am adding to my first Diary entry are taken from the advert on Ebay that I responded to.

The Range Rover will be on the road for the weekend, but from Monday I have to briefly take it off the road while I get the tax sorted as it is being changed to Disabled tax which is currently on my old D3.

I have to say, this car is extremely comfortable and I used to find it painful to drive, but this is a real pleasure but the suspension seems to be stiffer than my D3's.

Welcome to the forum. Looks like you have a bit of a list to work through... Don't try and do it all at once.

The reversing lights are crap, they are all like that.

The TV won't work unless it's upgraded to digital. It's only got an analog tuner....

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

Welcome, sounds like you have a few jobs to attend to.....

No brainer but start with the gearbox and engine first, get the fluid level checked. If its just had a change there is a chance its been incorrectly filled, wether this would cause the juddering you are experiencing im not too sure. RRphil is the man to ask about this transmission as it is his specialty and he has just started a new venture dealing with them.

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic38676.html?highlight=rrphil There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

Welcome aboard! How is the bodywork? Checking behind soundproofing at computer corner might be a good idea.  -08 3.6 Vogue
-87 951

Thank you for the kind messages. I don't quite understand the last message though lol.

I went out in the Range Rover today, It needed fuel and wiper blades, could have waited until Monday, but I couldn't resist the urge to drive it.

I am definitely starting with the gearbox and then the engine.

But was plesently surprised when I put it into drive and the gearbox was working perfectly fine. But the tappets were really loud for about 2 minutes when I accelerated. I managed to drive about 12 miles, being steady with the gearbox being smooth most of the way, no slipping in gears and the engine pulling like a train. Then sods law said that just because I was sat on an upwards hill at traffic lights, the gearbox went back into limp mode I was waiting for it lol, The wiper blades needed replacing as I couldn't see anything on my way home in the rain lol.

Again, apart from the gutlessness from standstill it drove beautifully. Although the smell of oil from the leak was quite strong in traffic Jams. I have checked the levels of all fluids and there is no coolant loss, but obviously minor engine oil loss. No other fluids seem to be leaking. However, the handbrake not working at all is annoying the hell out of me.

I brought the owners pack indoors too with the service history and have read everything in detail. And a few things made me feel stupid like the access height on the window switch buttons lol, and I have started learning about the car. Was very shocked to see a recent full HPI report which stated it had 7 reg changes, showing all the private plates it had in its life time, including B13 WSE, Which I am assuming is BE WISE. The invoices I read show that it had alot of suspension components replaced front and rear in December 2015 as well. So the Range Rover appears to have been looked after well in the past.

And my car has lived all over the country, travelled more than I have lol, Scotland in the Highlands, Norfolk, Cumbria, West Sussex and now East Sussex.

I really hope that I can make this a long term car. Although got to get used to watching the fuel gauge move as fast as it does lol. And I find the engine sound disorientating at the moment as I am used to hearing the TDV6 engine idling and have to keep checking that the engine is running at traffic lights lol.

Also had to think hard about the pump at the petrol station as I have been driving diesels for years.

But the more I drive this, the more I love it.

However I have 1 major issue, I have to have it ready and driving properly by the 10th October as I need to drive it to Central London and back to 2 hospitals relating to life saving surgery that I am going to be having soon.

I have already got in mind what upgrades I will do to the Range Rover but nothing big will be upgraded until the engine and gearbox are sorted.

I am planning on tackling the Rocker Gaskets myself too if the weather holds out and when I can borrow my parents drive lol

I will stop rambling now lol

I did take more photo's today of the Range Rover. And I have to say it is a bit scruffy, and I will be making it a tidy motor.

Looks certainly worth fixing.

LH rear corner seems to built so that any moisture that gets there will stay there a long time. Check pictures from my project thread. It's relatively easy check and hopefully will save you from welding and paint job in the future.
http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic38485-30.html -08 3.6 Vogue
-87 951

Smartness and small jobs aside, looking at your gearbox, as that seems no1 on your list, did you get an invoice from the garage that did the oil change? Many of us with the same gearbox/car, have had issues, with garages using the right type oil, just not the genuine stuff. I.e. 'Same spec'
Does it say, on the invoice what was put in, you should be looking for the original correct stuff, known as Lt71141. Made by Mobil. I don't recommend you start draining it as there's a few things to know about this process, and getting a level check, is not the easiest job, especially if you are new to the gearbox. Unlike the p38, with its dipstick etc. Maybe ring the garage that did the change, and ask hem, exactly what they use.
For the record, they might have drained the oil, and replaced the filter. and got about 5 litres out, and then replaced 5 litres, this is mixed with what remains in the torque converter, and they might then say, have it drained again later, to get a 'newer dilution' .
Sometimes, these gearboxes have issues with the torque converter lock up clutch. This is a sort of ever-slipping clutch in the torque converter, that can wear, or break up. This can ruin the gearbox. There are posts with this symptom, and is described as 'driving over a cattle grid' type of vibration.
Only saying this as it might help your diagnosis.
As for the engine, if you have a rattling tappet sound, for first few seconds, don't worry too much about it, so long as you are running full with oil. It's possible your vanos return check valves are letting by. So the engine has to pump oil right up, but they aren't like conrod bearing, running dry, so don't worry now.
Keep your eye on coolant levels, these engines run quite hot, and bake themselves to brittleness, like your rocker cover gaskets have. You might have typical very slow coolant loss, nothing to worry about, if for a few weeks you keep an eye on things.
You'll be well used to this with the p38!

I might suggest, now that you have introduced us to your car, and shown us a list, similar to a lot of us!
That you start a dedicated thread, with 'gearbox 5hp24 **********' in the heading, this has the magic fairy dust, necessary to wake the 'big friendly giant' that is the best person to comment on this gearbox, namely 'RRphil'
Keep it specific, and start other threads for sundry items.
And, Welcome to premiership motoring

Welcome.. nice looking FF...

Read my build thread (link in signature) that will let you know what you will be changing in the next couple of years.... (ignore all the off road bit's unless you want to offroad it.... )

 Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

If it keeps going into limp mode then I would suggest that you get the radiator checked out, the bottom six rows of the radiator cool the transmission oil cooler and on early models there was an issue where the bottom six rows collapsed internally which reduced the coolant flow,leading to the gearbox overheating and it subsequently going into a cooling mode.
I ended up having the radiator and trans oil cooler changed, since then no issues, but this has now probably upset the range .rover gearbox gods!

Firstly I am just putting this link here to another page on the FFRR site as it is to do with the breather pipes and I don't want to lose it lol

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic5823.html?view=previous

Thank you for all the replies.

Friday, the Range Rover is going into a garage locally to have the Rocker Gaskets replaced and as a precaution I am also having the coolant system pressure tested.

Then next Thursday it is going into a Gearbox specialist in Hastings who is going to be checking the condition of the oil. There is no invoice showing an oil change and the guy I did the deal with refuses to give me the contact details of the garage who supposedly did the change. therefor I dub him a liar! So assume it has not been changed. Anyway, I had diagnostics plugged in and 2 codes came up in the gearbox. Shift B Solenoid. So it is going to the gearbox specialist next week to have the condition of the oil checked. If the oil isn't showing signs of gearbox failure, then the solenoid is going to be replaced and the gearbox serviced. Gearbox Fault Codes are P0730 & P0756.

If the solenoid being changed does not solve the problem, then I am going to drive the Range Rover as it is until either the gearbox gives up completely or I have the money to pay for a recon replacement to be fitted.

Before you guys say I am mad about the order I am getting things fixed, The reason I have done it in this order is purely based on garage appointment availability. And the oil leak which is being fixed on Friday is a severe one so needs dealing with anyway. I haven't taken any current pictures of my Range Rover either at the moment as it is currently full of most of mine and my partners clothes and other bits as we are having central heating being fitted into our property and had to empty a lot of our belongings and furniture out of the house lol. The Range Rover isn't the only shed right now either. All cars in the household have suffered the same fate lol. Looks like tramps live our cars right now

But the central heating will be finished tomorrow afternoon. And my Range Rover needs a very deep clean inside and out. But for now to not risk any further gearbox damage the Range Rover is not being driven. I am stuck using our Mondeo lol as unfortunately both my Range Rovers are sick lol.

But I am ordering a set of silicone breather pipes on Thursday as the current ones are knackered, and I am planning on being more hands on with the repairs of this motor.

I still love it to bits though, even if it is a road ornament at the moment.

GUTTED. I have to lock and unlock my car like a commoner

I replaced the battery in my main keys remote, only to find that I still can't unlock the car with the remote.
I can lock it and open the boot on the remote, just can't unlock it. So I have contacted Express Auto Keys who I used to sort my 2 keys for my D3 out to find out how much they will charge to fix the microswitch. And to top it off, the previous owner told me that the battery needed changing in the spare key remote but the spare key won't start the car as the immobiliser chip is missing. Well, I opened that key up, and the thing was HOLLOW

So I have asked for a price for a complete brand new key and for it to be programmed to my car to use to start it and lock and unlock it on the fob. Shame really as this key appears to be the only 1 that is original to the car.

I am also ordering a pair of Xenon D2S Bulbs off of the auction site which are 55w 6000k bulbs. And tomorrow I have to have the keys pried out of my hands as I hand it over to the mechanic to sort out the oil leak.

So today I have been running around in my parents Discovery 2 and our Mondeo. I still love pulling into my road and seeing the Range Rover parked there though and same when I wake up. I always look out the window up at my Range Rover lol Sado I know lol

Getting excited though. After I pick it up, I will be stopping to give it a good wash at the jet wash on the way home. Then it becomes a road ornament again until next week when it goes in to have the shift solenoid replaced.

The Range Rover is now in the Garage. It is having the Rocker Gaskets doing, chain tensioner and coolant pressure test. Missing the car a lot already. I may not see it again until Monday now

But totally worth it.
I have just ordered blue silicone breather pipes costing £34.98 and they will be fitted at the garage as well once they arrive as the garage is going to clean out the part that the pipes connect to while it is all apart.

As soon as I get my car back, it will be getting a good clean.

The orange indicators were bugging me heavily as I can't stand them, so I managed to win a set of powrful uk clear wing indicators at auction for £6.02 delivered. Bargain Now once the car has been fixed I will start looking for some more up to date rear lights.






Really missing my Range Rover though. Can't wait to get it back.

My Range Rover was supposed to be home today but sadly wasn't ready as the chain tensioner hadn't arrived on time. So it being ready last Friday that turned into it will be ready Monday has now turned into will be ready Tuesday. My silicone breather pipes arrived today so used that as an excuse to pop down late afternoon and dropped them off and asked for them to be fitted as the old breather pipes were off as far as I know anyway.

I try not to bug mechanics too much but can't help at least 1 call per day.

Really can't wait to get it back so I have at least a small chance to get it cleaned before it heads off to have the gearbox worked on lol.