Hi!
Í am looking to buy an L322 and was looking at the 2012 4.4 TDV8´s as I thought these would be the most trouble free versions and then I asked a local Land Rover mechanic for his suggestions when buying a used L322 and he told me to steer way clear of the 4.4 TDV8 engine because according to him many of the 4.4 TDV8s suffer from broken cranks which will amount to huge engine repair bills.
He suggested I get the 3.6 instead as this engine does not have that issue.
Has anyone experienced such an issue with their 4.4 TDV8?
I am really tempted to get the 4.4 because of more power, better fuel economy but after hearing of such a major issue with these engines ím having second thoughts...
The cars that fit into my budget have all done around 100 000 miles.

Is the 3.6 more reliable than the 4.4?

Thanks! Johannes

Nonsense and old wife tales. Just get what you want and find yourself another mechanic

Use a different mechanic as he's talking crap.
the 3litre V6 has the crank made of cheese not the 4.4 V8 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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I don't wish to disrespect your 'Land Rover' mechanic....but.......codswallop! Is he a 'mechanic' who works on Land Rovers or is he a trained 'Land Rover' mechanic....there's a subtle difference.
If he said "stay clear of Land Rover 3.0 V6's because they snap cranks" then I would agree, that has been noted as a weak spot on the 3.0 V6. As far as I've read on this forum in 18 months of ownership of a 4.4 TDV8 I've never ever read of crank problems.
The only noteworthy problems found on a 4.4 TDV8 are oil cooler seals/gaskets that tend to go AWOL after a while, the secondary turbo is a 'sequential' turbo & if not used, can sometimes, emit smoke under load & high revs.
Apart from that, the 4.4 TDV8's are superb machines, and in my ignorant biased opinion, better than the 3.6 TDV8....but that's purely my opinion.

As a footnote, I would perhaps suggest seeking a more knowledgeable 'Land Rover' mechanic for any future work on any purchase? 2012 Orkney Grey Westminster 4.4TDV8 with Ivory interior.........nice!
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Just one Montesa now, 349 White Wonder
Austin A40 Farina MK2
1975 Morris Marina 1.8TC
1973 Honda CB250 K4

Dr Robs first line says it all & exceeds all my waffle!  2012 Orkney Grey Westminster 4.4TDV8 with Ivory interior.........nice!
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Just one Montesa now, 349 White Wonder
Austin A40 Farina MK2
1975 Morris Marina 1.8TC
1973 Honda CB250 K4

Thanks for you input! I shall ignore the “advice” given by that mechanic and will continue searching for the right 4.4 TDV8 RR for myself
By the way, Is the oil cooler seals issue an easy fix or a more complex job to fix?

Thanks!

See the Wiki for a DIY guide and loads of other support
https://www.fullfatrr.com/wiki/ 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
--------------------------------------------------

Split opinion on the oil cooler leak on here, some replace just the seals/gaskets & some [me] changed the whole cooler because the time allocated for the job is around 4.5hrs. It's do'able if you're handy with the spanners [which I'm not] so my thought was, if it's all apart change the whole cooler & forget about it. Others will say just change the seals & gaskets....your choice. 2012 Orkney Grey Westminster 4.4TDV8 with Ivory interior.........nice!
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Just one Montesa now, 349 White Wonder
Austin A40 Farina MK2
1975 Morris Marina 1.8TC
1973 Honda CB250 K4

not heard of cranks failing on the FF
RRS for sure and i think that was on the 3.6 not sure though 2012 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - Current
2014 Navara V6 - Gone
2004 Vogue TD6 - Gone
Grand Cherokee - Gone
Discovery V8 (LPG) - Gone
Discovery TD5 - Gone

as for Oil cooler i am with Fox889 for the cost of the new cooler and the time and effort i was going to (I did it myself) to strip down it was a no brainer. the whole job took me and my 11 year old apprentice 5hrs. with plenty of tea as it was freezing bloody cold  2012 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - Current
2014 Navara V6 - Gone
2004 Vogue TD6 - Gone
Grand Cherokee - Gone
Discovery V8 (LPG) - Gone
Discovery TD5 - Gone

Even the 3.0 crank issue is super rare in a FFRR - it’s a Range Rover, your taking your chances either way  Sold - Bell a 2015 MY16 Loire Blue Autobiography 4.4 SDV8
Previously George a 2007 MY07 Java Black VSE 3.6 TDV8
Previously a 04 MY04 Defender 90

Your "mechanic" wouldn't happen to have a 3.6 TDV8 for sale that he wants to get rid of would he?

As others have said only the 3.0 TDV6 Crank has had issues, not all but some.

Ivan 2013 Vogue SE SDV8
2013 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Luxury

No he did not offer a 3.6 for sale
Thanks for all your input!
The 4.4 TDV8 is back on my agenda.

Johannes

Johannes wrote:

Hi!
Í am looking to buy an L322 and was looking at the 2012 4.4 TDV8´s as I thought these would be the most trouble free versions and then I asked a local Land Rover mechanic for his suggestions when buying a used L322 and he told me to steer way clear of the 4.4 TDV8 engine because according to him many of the 4.4 TDV8s suffer from broken cranks which will amount to huge engine repair bills.
He suggested I get the 3.6 instead as this engine does not have that issue.
Has anyone experienced such an issue with their 4.4 TDV8?
I am really tempted to get the 4.4 because of more power, better fuel economy but after hearing of such a major issue with these engines ím having second thoughts...
The cars that fit into my budget have all done around 100 000 miles.

Is the 3.6 more reliable than the 4.4?

Thanks! Johannes

Thanks for that insight! I am currently also eyeing the L405s and especially the 3 liter diesel. I´m wondering if the crank issue on the 3 liter diesel is something that can be avoided with a preventative fix in the garage?
To my surprise the second hand L405s with the TDV6 and the SDV8 are not that far apart in terms of price. So maybe if I want to avoid an expensive engine repair in the future I should set my sight on an L405 SDV8 perhaps?

Cheers,
Johannes