Hi Everyone, new to this site been on as a guest a few times and can i just say what a very helpful bunch of guys you all are.

I was wondering if anyone can help with my question?

How difficult would it be to change the engine on my l322 4.4v8 for a direct replacement? is it a massive job? has anyone had it done or infact done one. Mine gave up the ghost last weekend cracked the block but ive just found another engine but before i part with the cash thought id ask if it is worth doing.

Regards Jo

Welcome Jo.

Not an expert or done it, but be aware that if it's not from an rr, ie from a BMW, some bits are different.

The sump has baffles in it for eg to stop the oil moving about too much when at extreme angles.

The engines are basically the same, but if it's from a BMW you'd be better just using the block and heads and putting your original ancillaries on.

More expert members should be along soon !



You need to swap it for that nice 5.0 unit from a V8 M5...... 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

Changed my 2002 4.4 v8 3 months ago or rather the Indy did. With the cost of the engine ( hard to find ) doing the timing chain etc and the actual swapping, it almost wrote the car off. There was lots of extras like degassing the a/c, a new hose here, a new bush there, expensive large quantities of fluids. The autobox had to come out to get the engine out so the whole exhaust has to be removed also, then there was seized bolts etc etc - you get the idea.

I was charged 41 hours labour plus the engine plus many bits & pieces - yeh a big job

But I still love my FF 2002 Vogue 4.4 V8
1995 Disco 1 300tdi

Hi thanks for the advice the engine i have got lined up is a range rover unit 4.4v8 from an 04 plate 80,000 miles.

Regards Jo

Last edited by badge79 on 4th Mar 2014 8:45pm. Edited 1 time in total

Hi thanks for the reply, The engine is £2000. just need to find out a price to be fitted plus a good indy.. what was the final bill from your indy?

Regards Jo

Just dug out the bill. Yes it was 41 hours at what was a "special rate" so it can vary obviously depending on the Indy you use. Service kit, 2 hoses, manifold gaskets, several seals, 2 belts, a breather, 2 brackets, a mount, engine oil, ATF, a/c regas, pas fluid, gearbox & transfer box oil, antifreeze, oil cooler pipes, all came to about £660 + the vat.

If your replacement engine has more than low miles I would recommend thinking about doing the timing chain/guides whilst its out and a much easier job. It's the weak link ( pun not intended ) on these engines I reckon. 2002 Vogue 4.4 V8
1995 Disco 1 300tdi

Hi thanks for that that, deffo was a special rate.
Just spoke to an indy he said £30 plus vat per hour. When i asked him how long roughly he said he could not possibly say as he's never done one before bit worrying.

Cheers Jo

Just to clarify, the £660 was for the parts + engine + labour ( more than £30 p/h ) from a LR Indy 2002 Vogue 4.4 V8
1995 Disco 1 300tdi

Um...... 41 hours x £30 = £1230 ? (and that's before knowing how much more than £30 ph it was)

So how could it only be £660 with the engine and parts and labour, or are you missing a zero - £6600 ? .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

£660 for parts Plus cost of engine Plus cost of labour. Wouldn't be far off £6600

As I said it nearly wrote the car off. I've heard stories of other L322, when the owners find out the cost of their engine repair/replacement, the car ends up stolen/in a ditch or burn out or all three. That's why I would be careful buying a second hand one and make sure it's not the reason for a recently defunct FF. Which of course also leads me to my old engine which was returned to the seller on an exchange basis. I am not sure they can be reconditioned due to the liners so where is it off to ?

Btw I did ask about a new engine. If you can get one, I think it was around £7k plus vat plus fitting. £10k Ouch 2002 Vogue 4.4 V8
1995 Disco 1 300tdi

Wow, i was reading that above thinking £660 for all that... Flip me...

The last one we did was similar, lots of seized things etc etc, think it helps with a southern car tough...

Craig, roughly what hours would you say to swap the engines? to be fair i'm very handy with the spanners and have changed a few engines over the years, thinking of having a bash myself have the garage space and it doesn't matter if it takes me a good few weeks as i have another car

swapped mine in may of last year. £2300 for replacement with 72k on it and £950 to fit it. Put LPG on it after the 3 month warranty expired and goes like a dream. Replaced with 102k on the clock and now got 129k on her. Owning a Range Rover is the land based version of a boat...a hole in the road in which to throw regular bundles of money!

if you are to swap it yourself, then the money saved (at least £500 needed) would pay for new timing chain and guides/gaskets/sundries. . however to get the lower timing cover off, you need a huge long bar to undo the crankshaft pulley, and the engine locked, easier when out of car, as engine can be counter turned (long 5ft pole on a 3/4 breaker bar) from rear to undo it. plus you will need timing locking toolset at another £400 or rent them. you can sell it on after obviously. I cant see it being too harder job. might consider dropping it out on front subframe with help of a 2 post lift. with the gearbox on.
sometimes we like to give ourselves a challenge, and tell the tale over a few beers another day.
I have done my chains, and have obtained a second dismantled engine, -useable, for that rainy day.