Hi all,

I brought my first Range Rover 3 weeks ago privately, it's a 2002 l322 4.4 v8. Brought it for a service and been told the head gasket has blown. Gutted.

Does anyone know where I can find a decent recon engine? There looks to be so many places offering engine but researching the garages most seem to be complete Cowboys like the bloke who sold it to me.

Any help would be fantastic or its 10k down the swanny.

Also has anyone heard of mklmotors they are offering to pick up my car and fit a recon engine all in £2995 +vat. I cannot find a review anywhere online.

Any help would be great.

G'Day Digger

That's a , but why not just replace the head gasket, gotta be less dollars than a re-con engine

then go over the cooling system as there has gotta be a reason for it to let go

Theirs a wealth of knowledge on here so somebody will come up with the best way to proceed


Zig "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
George Santayana
Puts away his cloth cap and donkey jacket
Goes and sits in the naughty corner

That's what I was thinking. Unless there is further damage.....

It seems the petrols do suffer more as the age and mileage rack up. From what I can see.

Is there anything common on the engines that tends to cause these issues ? I know they have collapsed hoses at the back of the engine that are difficult to get to....... PCV ?

I'd look at the cheaper option first and see if there are any other issues. Probably have to dismantle it a bit though. 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

I have same engine, it is actually a modified bmw 7 series engine. known as the m62tub44 sometimes called m62tu44. the difference is the sump and oil pump in the sump. it is different from the earlier easy to find m62 engine as that doesn't have the VANOS ie its not bulging at front of rocker covers, its straighter instead. so heads on later bmw engine, are same as your car (m62tub44). you can remove a head and have it checked for cracks, warps and find a secondhand one. but you should buy it complete with its camshafts.(I'm told) if you have a diagnosis of which side you are lucky. sounds like you may have run it low on water, and overheated it. what you could have done is run the pistons hot against the bore lining. if those are scored it terminal. the other similar engine, (same engine as RR) is the bmw X5 4.4 not 4.6
what you will need if working on head removal,(ie the bloke doing the job) is an engine set-up locking kit to hold the engine at the top dead centre this is £400 to start with but a bmw indy garage will have it already.
there are many dodgy 'engine remanufactures' out there that buy wrecked cars and pull the engines, steam them off, and spray them silver. thus its now 'reconditioned'! so don't look in back pages of auto trader
talk to a local indy bmw guy for some advice. -not a dealer!
I feel for you mate, . and a engine secondhand needs some sort of warranty, and the engines I have seen for sale start at around £1500. a 7 series engine, can be altered to fit, as you have the sump and oil pump, and you would need to fit those along with the longer pump chain to the 7 series engine. it sort of means a lot of work as its possible front timing cover is coming off to fit these. here is video of 7 series engine, note the fat front VANOS rocker covers like yours at 3.39.....
an indy, can use a borescope (torch/camera on a flexi, fed into sparkplug hole) to look into the cylinder to see if its scored, before stripping down. and use chemicals to 'sniff' the water coolant for fumes from engine, and pressure test the water sytem, to force water out to external or oil jacket, or cylinder. this maybe your current diagnosis. I have heard heard of successful head gasket jobs on these cars, unlike many unsuccessful p38 type RR head gasket jobs, so don't be put off by old stories of older model. common problems o the RR models coolant, are the rear of engine heater hoses, the expansion tank splits, the water pump goes, -sorry I mustn't ruin you RR experience any longer. but the bmw is a fantastic engine. mines on 155k and original head gaskets.
the very best of british luck mate!

Are you sure it's a head gasket ?

Failed/ faulty thermostat or the PCV hoses leaking at the rear of the engine can appear like a HG failure. I know one case where dealer quoted $ thousands, but was fixed for a $350 as it was the PCV Hoses that needed replacing !!!!!!!!!!

Watery oil is very common example caused by a leaking PCV system, which will also cause miss-fires and codes that a dealer will say is HG failure. These engines only usually blow head gaskets after being severely overheated to the extent that other internal damage is done also.

Biggest thing with these motors is the pressure the cooling system operates at 1.4 Bar. Genuine Radiator caps are the only type to run here with manufacturer's mark "Reuter" on the genuine one, on the very bottom of the cap near the yellow part. Dodgy ones don't have this name on them, but all the other words etc in German; fresh from Shanghi I suppose !!!


Laurie

Did you get this sorted?
I'm on east london and use LRR in north Greenwich for servicing and other work. They seem a fairly honest and decent honest bunch. Have been around for years.

Hi all, thanks for the amazing responses. for my first service I brought the motor to LRR and asked them to let me know if any issues. They really are nice guys there. They found when performing the service that a gasket fix liquid had been used so Duely informed me and at my request carried on with the service and fitting a new alternator as the old one failed in the first week of having it (charged battery over night before going for service).

The motor is now using a full 2 ltrs of coolant ever day when driven. The temp gauge starts low and creeps up to half way and stays there, never going above half way. The 'check coolant' messages pops up Daily when the coolant is used up as it should. I just drove the 5 miles back from work never going over 30mph and got back to find steam coming from the engine and a sizzling noise. Is this normal on a chilly day? I'm so stressed with the car that I'm questioning everything that happens.

The interior and exterior are lovely so I do want to keep this car for a good few years.

Does anyone know where I can get the engine reckoned or a new engine from? I'm not going to buy a recon from the many dubious recon places out there so would love to know if anyone has any recommendations?

The guys at LRR in Greenwich are keeping an eye out for a decent 2nd hand engine but told me not to hold my breath. I need to keep driving the car so really need a solution fast as I think that I may be doing more damage to the engine. Plus the wife is lambasting me daily for buying a of a motor.

Please help gents absolutely desperate at the mo!!!

Cheers,
John

well, while its true that you are loosing coolant, have you had it proved to be the head gasket, (in a reasonably cheap) fashion?
have They (the garage) actually proved that you are losing through the gasket? i say this as there really are many other leakable points, often found when disassebling other parts, ie the water pump. It has a pipe running from front to back, this has an o ring, either end, these rupture position, and hence leak, if not properly addressed. and it would seem that someone may have had there hands near this whilst doing the alternator, as it sits in the water system. (water cooled) with again, another o ring. (a huge one!)
i dont want to give too optimistic an answer, but as you are not actually 'boiling up' your rangie, i would think, that you have a leak. surely, with just a nice big sheet of clean cardbord, and 1/2 hour of running engine with full coolant, revving gently, you surely will find some drips. Sometimes, the 'valley gasket' goes, and the water boils itself off, on the engine, but normally drips at rear of block. Sounds like you are loosing a good deal of water, and it should be quite obvious. even the radiator pipes leak if not clipped properly. understanding the modern system on cars is half the battle...
there are garages that will use a very good product, that is a 'revealing' liquid. it is attached to the water tank, and the engine is run up, and as it heats up it sort of 'steams' itself somewhat through the tool and the fluid changes colour. search for this on youtube. i cant do this now or i would link it. edit, here you go (he explains it well) try 'head gasket fluid changes colour' or something. if you are getting water into your bores, this will show with exhaust gases back into the water system. the fluid will quickly show this.
ive had plenty of leaks while fettling mine, (had to do lots!) but they are now all gone and it drives perfect. touch wood!

Last edited by johnboyairey on 16th Nov 2014 11:20pm. Edited 1 time in total

One of these will help
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLOCK-TESTER-UNI...43bd3d4ef0

I have with other Range rovers had massive coolant loss through the top of the rad where the crimps were failing - only lost when hot allowed a bit of air in but the water evaporated and left no real trace. The sniff test will tell if there are combustion gases in the coolant so cracked block head etc head gasket also - You really need to do a compression test as that will show you where the leak is if it is indeed head gasket

Thanks for the reply gents. I've taken your earlier advice and researched bwm Indy near me. I'm going to call them in the morning and query if they are comfortable sniff and compression testing to see if it truly is a head gasket issue. I've also sent a query to Ivor Serle about a re manufactured or 2nd hand engine. Thought best to get the feelers out and see what sort of price I'm going to be quoted.

If you can recommend any garages that may be able to help in the South East London neck of the woods then I would be much obliged.

I'm hoping for a leak so will give the cardboard test a go. Great idea.

I'm almost embarrassed to call my current garage agin as when ever I mention anything that say it's because of the head gasket issue although I'm sure they only think this due to finding proof of a previous owner using gasket fix fluid.

I guess it's time to try elsewhere even though the last blokes are very well recomended.


Cheers again for all your help. If there are any other ideas please froEn them in the hat.

Much obliged.

To be honest the gasket fix sealant would have been used as a general coolant sealant i.e. if you tip enough in t seals all sorts of leaks temporarily doesn't mean it was a head gasket often it is rad related good luck

the 'change the engine' theory is a hammer/nut method, and lets face it, the engine 'seller' is not going to guarantee the car unless he fits it. but he's not a bmw/LR 'trained' mechanic. and the trained mechanic, does not want to guarantee the car, as he knows nothing about the 'new' engine. hence its your problem, when it doesn't solve the problem. but everyone gets paid! please consider this before throwing your wallet onto the bonfire.

just a quick question, if you remove your oil filler cap, is there any whitey/beige gunk in it? and is your dipstick showing healthy black-ish or clear oil?

Hi All,

Thought I'd give you a quick update.

It's the block! Definitely. When to a garage around the corner from me and the kindly let me use their block tester. At first I though it was fine, it had good suction on the tank and the fluid in the tester stayed blue... until the engine warmed up after 30 seconds of revving, the liquid went green.

Booooo.

The good news is, I know what's going on and can plan the next move. Found an engine at a breakers from a rear ender and getting it delivered to my local indy for install. The engine is at 76000 and been told it's fine. With fitting it should cost me about £3000.

I'll update this when there are more developments as there seem to be a few threads with no happy endings (fingers crossed)!!

how are you getting on? I tried to call you to chat about your dilemma but got answerphone.

Hi All,

So here's the update!

The garage round the corner from me said they would put in some decent ceramic gasket fix that they had used successfully before, all in parts and labor £150. As I had only replacement engine as the other option I thought Sod it, lets do it.

Now here is the good bit...remember my massive coolant leak? Well they found a small part of pipe that had a huge gash in it, ordered the replacement part on next day from Land Rover, ran the gasket fix, let it dry over night, put everything back together again and it's been running like an absolute dream ever since!

It feels like a new motor! I was most upset that the highly recommended RR specialist indy had point blank told me that my 2 ltr loss of coolant per day was 100% due to the head gasket and that there was no point in bringing it in for a check.

So well done my (what I thought was a dodgy little place) garage! Although the garage didn't look much they where fantastic in helping me out and even with the new part they ordered they still only changed me £150.

The gasket fix was Irontite. Looks to have done the job.

Any questions please ask...

John