G'day.
Recently starting to have Issues with my L322 V8. I first started to notice a rattle at startup and then a rough Idle, surging power (when accelerating hard) and a 'cough' under load below 2k Rpm.
Has been getting worse where the engine light is flashing. Usually I can temporarily remedy this by shifting the auto into manual mode and raise the revs by dropping a gear.
The last couple of weeks I've had the issue where I couldn't even drive off from a standing start (when cold) because the engine wouldn't go above idle without coughing and choking. Strange thing is that it seems to be intermittent.. When experiencing these problems, I'll pull over, turn off the engine, then restart and drive off as normal with full power.
I know all or at least most of these issues point to Vanos seals not working properly.. If its the Vanos units, would it behave like this.. (as above)? Or Could the Vanos solenoids be at fault if its intermittent.?

I've recently pulled the top end of the left bank apart as an exploratory measure, to see if the guides look ok, general cleanliness of the insides, condition of the Cams and followers, timing chain and tensioners etc. All look like they are in very good order. considering the engine has done 315k, I'd say all these items have been replaced at least once.

Thoughts anyone.. Anyone had similar experiences /remedy's





 Once you've driven a Range Rover, everything else seems 2nd rate.. Eeeek I'm trapped for life.

1986 RRC Highline with offroad mods. Arctic Silver
2001 P38 HSE. Ardeness Green.
1995 RRC soft dash (beautiful car) Green.
2005 L322 HSE V8. - Current, most awesome car yet. And most expensive.

My 1st thoughts would be to remove and clean the vanos electro vavles or even replace them its a simple and cheap thing to try.
When cleaning them out brake cleaner is ok keep filling them up every 10 minutes or so and flush out.

Check for any codes being logged (with something like an IIDTool) and go from there.

I'll be interested to see what the outcome is & how you get on eventually.
As I also have the dreaded start up rattle, though no warning lights or running issues that you have.

Just that annoying rattle initially (just chalked up 138k). May have a go at them next year.

Good luck & keep us posted.

Have you done the chain and guide’s they need doing before any rattle gets worse just done the ones on mine engine is now fine just need sort the electrical faults with the I-bus

If you have Engine light you should have codes which will help. Vanos doesn’t usually have a big effect on performance. I would be concerned that you may have blocked cats which can really harm your engine although if a restart fixes it temporarily it could be many things so codes again.
Codes should always be first on theses, well after checking battery is tip top.

Thanx Guys. Some great info and advice there. I've plugged in an OBDII bluetooth unit in and got these codes out:
P1174
P1171
P1300
P0301
P0305
P0140
P0304
All of these seem to be related to misfiring and fuel leaning out on accel.

So, Hummm. nothing there to do with VVT. Once you've driven a Range Rover, everything else seems 2nd rate.. Eeeek I'm trapped for life.

1986 RRC Highline with offroad mods. Arctic Silver
2001 P38 HSE. Ardeness Green.
1995 RRC soft dash (beautiful car) Green.
2005 L322 HSE V8. - Current, most awesome car yet. And most expensive.

ideally you need a diagnostic tool to clear all the faults and then see what comes back when you drive it, some of those codes could have been there for years.

I still say clean the electro valves first had a little rattle on an engine we rebuilt cleaned out the val es no more rattle and as chicken says the vanis has little effect on performance

Engine light flashing is a misfire, I'd look at the easy stuff first before going to VANOS. Oil on plugs, blocked cat, PCV issues, vacuum leak can all cause a misfire or rough running.

I'd wager blocked cat from what you've said. 2004 L322 V8