Oil cooler seals on my 4.4 were done by the previous owner - have the receipt for that.

I think the 2nd turbo affects most 4.4 owners. The turbo actuators aren't programmed to open until around 2,400rpm. Because the engine rarely goes above about 2,100rpm, the turbo is very seldom used - maybe once or twice a week for most people. Because there's no continual boost pressure and the oil runs above ambient air pressure, there's no air pressure to hold the oil back behind it's seals.

As a result, residual oil can slowly seep through the seals and accumulate in the turbo. Next time the turbo is fired up, this oil gets burned off.

Land Rover never formally acknowledged a design fault and never announced a recall, most likely because it wasn't a) safety related and b) it wasn't a cheap fix and would cost them money. Don't know how they got away with it though.

The answer? Well, they sort of acknowledged a flaw and released a maintenance update and drain kit - basically a pipe running from the turbo to the engine sump so, it took all oil pressure away. Lucky early owners might have managed to convince their dealer to install the modification under warranty. No such luck for anyone these days.

Options? Well, one is to buy the kit and get a Land Rover specialist to install the drain but, it's over £1-2k worth of work. The other? Well, in this scenario, a regular old Italian tune up really is good for this engine. It puts regular pressure through the turbo, helping prevent build up of oil deposits and burning anything off in tiny doses that you don't notice. Oil usage around 0.2-0.5L per 10,000 miles. On an engine holding 9 litres of oil, that's hardly noticeable. 2015 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 SDV8

Advice I give all 4.4 tdv8 owners is.....
Boot it daily above 2.5K when warm.
Done. Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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Cars like to be driven, engines like to do their thing. Heck it is even good for us humans to run

...and V8s were invented so we don't have to. 2015 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 SDV8

No no no no. That is not right.

Not gone over 2k rpm in nearly a month  2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

OMFG That is terrible. Your poor car.

All M-way miles. Stop start short urban trips is what kills them. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

DrRob wrote:

Advice I give all 4.4 tdv8 owners is.....
Boot it daily above 2.5K when warm.
Done.

Definitely, engines like it, and it makes most of us humans smile.

Only today picking up our 34 year old car from the body shop they recommended an engine overhaul and service, I was like nah it just needs to be driven after being in the body shop for three months. And voila by the time we got home it was smooth as anything again. Besides my daughter and I know the engine as we rebuild it during the first lock down.

Actually for diesels is sustained moderate load that keeps them healthy and heavy power surges create the soot. My smiles these days come from doing a long journey and feeling more relaxed at the end than I did when I set off which to to me is the essence of the L322 experience. Plenty of cars will give you the thrill of going fast and furious but few will give you pleasure when you take it easy. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

Summed that up beautifully , done rallying , comp safaris and hill rallies , had numerous silly 4wd japan turbo estates and big coupes , get in the RR do 500 miles in weather and get out the other end relaxed , if you need to overtake just plant your foot and let the torque do it's thing , love mine just be careful overtaking 3 or 4 HGV's with a caravan on the back as the 100mph bleep I have my speed warning set at is a bit of a surprise when towing (only done it once !!). 4.4 everyday for me .

All range rovers have issue it all depends on how it’s been looked after

Hmmm using the engine doesn’t cause soot, don’t mistake the symptom of another problem for the cause. If it does that you have a problem.

I think soot is being confused.

Not all engines enjoy an Italian tune up.

The 4.4 specifically benefits from it because of the 'design fault' with the engine.

A hard ride to burn off a few ml of excess oil due to pushing past a seal is very different to inefficient diesel/air mixture. 2015 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 SDV8