So near, yet so far.....

After 6 months looking, I viewed a nice clean 2005MY 4.4V8 6 weeks or so ago, that had recently had an LPG conversion added. It had a couple of bits of work that needed to be done to it, so I left it until a 5 week work trip abroad had finished and put down a small deposit earlier this week.

Went to collect it today to be told by the dealer, sorry the EAS isn't working! Just my luck...

If the car is stood still and you try and go from normal to offroad height the switch LED blinks, but nothing happens. It doesn't go up, nor does the compressor kick in. After 4 or 5 attempts the compressor might start working, but there is no increase in height at all until you start driving, when after a prolonged period the ride height increases. Could a dodgy relocation of the compressor be creating problems?

The dealer was suitably embarrassed when he met me at the station, enough to throw me the keys of a Subaru he had for sale, to use until he has fixed it. He even included a full tank of diesel! Having read some members struggles with EAS problems, i'm not sure if he is banking on losing a sale for the few weeks it might take to fix.

Photos and more details to come as and when I try and collect it second time around.

Finally collected it, and what a joy to drive!! I can't believe I waited so long to rid myself of my old Ford Ranger.

The dealer ended up replacing the compressor, with a second hand one, so how long it will last is anyones guess, but at least it's working... so far.

As promised a few pics..

Hi

Nice upgrade from the Ranger (and the Subaru )

you 322 is painted Giverny green  l=Oo\________/oO=l l:OolΞΞΞΞΞΞΞloO:l

Current
RANGE ROVER Vogue 4.4L SDV8 - 2013 - Indus Silver, on Almond.
RANGE ROVER Vogue 4.4L V8 - 2002 - ex-2003 G4 Challenge Event Vehicle, Stage 3: Australia
RANGE ROVER HSE 4.4L V8 - 2004 - one-of-one Overfinch
RANGE ROVER P38a 4.0L V8 - 1999 - ex-2000 TReK Event Vehicle: South Africa

Previous:
RANGE ROVER Vogue 4.4L TDV8 - 2012 - RANGE ROVER 3.6L TDV8 x3 - RANGE ROVER Td6 x1 - RANGE ROVER Classic 3.5L V8 x1

Cracking colour combo.

Looking good.

 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

Thanks verydisco, profile updated.  David

2012 Range Rover Westminster 4.4TDV8
2004 Range Rover Vogue 4.4 V8 (LPG) (Not quite gone)
2021 Mazda CX-5
2003 Porsche Boxster

The car has been faultless for the first 8 months of ownership, but an hour go we came to a complete stop in the middle of Barnstaple. Given that a lot of steam started coming out of the exhausts just before and there is no coolant left,the RAC and I came to the conclusion that the head gasket has gone.

Currently waiting for a flatbed recovery and hoping the engine hasn’t suffered any terminal damage. Curiously there was no warning, and the IID tool came up with no errors after we stopped so fingers crossed it will be ok! David

2012 Range Rover Westminster 4.4TDV8
2004 Range Rover Vogue 4.4 V8 (LPG) (Not quite gone)
2021 Mazda CX-5
2003 Porsche Boxster

Fingers crossed for you on that one Dave

Check your Water pump (bearing goes on the shaft and water escapes) - hope it’s not the gasket. Pm sent btw.

Update:

The recovery people did an excellent job last night and took the FFRR back to a local 'independent LR specialist' near home.

Went down to see them this morning, but the response was a bit disappointing. They weren't interested in looking at it, to either diagnose the problem or even to fix. Didn't want the hassle of large repairs to an old petrol engine. Fair enough I suppose, but didn't really help me, especially as they wouldn't even look at it for 2 weeks. Not so much a specialist, more of a LR reseller who does services on the side.

However, I've just found another garage locally, with a highly recommended mechanic, who is used to doing head gasket repairs and other deep work on engines, although not a LR specialist. He reckons 25hrs (@ £38 + VAT per hr) to do head gaskets if indeed that is what it is (provided no further damage within the engine). He also recommended replacing the timing chains and guides as they will need to come off anyway. So with labour, parts and machining costs, we are probably looking at £2-£2.5K and I might as well throw in a new radiator, gearbox intercooler and expansion tank at the same time.

Dolphinboy - thanks for the tip on the waterpump, but given the white water vapour out of the offside exhaust and the smell of petrol coming from the expansion tank, I'm relatively sure its a gasket issue, but will check to make doubly sure. (PS- PM not seen yet)

On the negative side (or some may say realistic POV), if the engine is a complete writeoff then the next question will be new engine or new car...... David

2012 Range Rover Westminster 4.4TDV8
2004 Range Rover Vogue 4.4 V8 (LPG) (Not quite gone)
2021 Mazda CX-5
2003 Porsche Boxster