I'm looking to do this job myself, as I cannot afford the garage labour for this job but, mainly because I want to understand the engines better and how to take them apart.

Having checked the forum, the two useful threads i've found are:

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic32601.html
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic36312.html

Reading both threads, it seems best to remove both EGRs in order to replace the thermostat housing and to replace any non-steel gaskets.

I have an issue with soot where if I haven't booted the throttle in about 10 minutes, I get a nice cloud of soot out the back. But after booting it a few times, it clean out the back. 10 minutes later of cruising... It seems to do the same again.

I've already had a boost leak and a boost leak to me would show soot every single time the turbos boost hard. So, I'm making an assumption I have a faulty / gunked up EGR causing this. I had a cracked EGR cooler so, I have picked up a pair of used EGRs from a reputable Land Rover salvage yard. I'm thinking I could clean both of these up so, they're ready to do a straight swap when I come to do the job of changing the thermostat housing.


Has anyone done the thermostat housing job, any tips, how long can I expect it to take? Do I need to drain the coolant completely or partly first? Any special tools beyond a good socket set with extension bars? Any right pain in the backside tasks (aside from these engines in general)? 2015 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 SDV8

Could be the difference is getting blocked up

Dpf

There is no DPF on UK models, which is why they soot. 2015 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 SDV8

Have access to LOTS of extension bars and a variety of socket driver sizes...you will be putting extension bars on extensiin bars for some of the nuts holding the metal engine sound deadening covers in place.. it is not actually too bad a job, just take it slowly and don't lose anything deep in the bowels of the engine bay! Magnetic pick up is useful too!