hernan1304
Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 362
 
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Thanks for the advice! I'm hoping to hear from them today, will try to push for a complete engine.
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 Tue May 27 2008 4:30am |
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chrisb
Joined: 26 Jul 2007
Location: Hope Valley
Posts: 64
 
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Sounds like a cylinder head gasket failure to me, particularly with the symptoms you describe.
Depends on how hot the cylinder head got, as to any lasting damage that may have been caused.
Best scenario - new gasket, and tighten everythign down, worst case new head new gasket and tighten down.
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| Tue May 27 2008 1:59pm |
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chrisb
Joined: 26 Jul 2007
Location: Hope Valley
Posts: 64
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If CHG failure is diagnosed, I wouldn't be too worried about it, but I would want to know the root cause analysis of the failure.
But, as for no warning lights on the dash.....
Had the coolant level got low enough to trigger the alarm?
Had the coolant temp got high enough to trigger an alarm?
If the CHG failure is the cause, it is possible that you would get the symptoms you describe without triggering a warning if you spot it soon enough.
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| Tue May 27 2008 2:05pm |
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SteveNorman
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Location: Somerset
Posts: 78
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Hi,
I personally would reject the vehicle, or possibly, if push comes to shove, accept a brand new fully dressed engine.
I would not accept a repair if it has got as hot as you say.
Regards
Steve
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| Tue May 27 2008 3:43pm |
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hernan1304
Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 362
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Hi everyone, well I spoke my service guy about what they would do if they found a fault with the engine and he told me that the usual procedure is to replace the entire engine if they find a problem with it, as LR does not allow them to repair engines. This is especially true because my car is low-mileage.
The root cause has been identified as a faulty thermostat.
They performed a compression test on the engine and found (quote) "slight variation" in pressure between the different cylinders. Land Rover in the UK saw the results of this test and has sent them instructions to open the engine and examine it - when I last spoke to them they said they were just taking off the cylinder cover at the time so couldn't tell me any more, but I'm expecting work will continue overnight, so I should have some more answers in the morning.
I suspect it was a blown head gasket at the very least - when you have steam and smoke pouring out of the engine, I think it is a clear sign that something, somewhere, has given way. This should only happen at extremely high temp as I understand it.
chrisb - to answer your questions: not a single alarm or warning light (trust me I was paying close attention), and the temp was higher than halfway but never approached the top of the scale. The first time I opened the bonnet, the coolant had gone into the pressure-release reservoir and was actually boiling out from under the lid (as described in my OP). This is when I left the car to cool down with the bonnet open and called LR assistance. By the time the car cooled down a bit (after an hour or so), the level of the coolant settled (ie. stopped boiling vigorously) and it was very low. This is when I added water. So yes, there should have been a warning that a) the coolant was BOILING, and b) most of the coolant had leaked (at the time, LR assistance made me think that most of it had actually boiled over due to an improperly tightened cap).
Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure the "spotting it soon enough" moment came when I first pulled over and discovered the boiling coolant. It was the bad advice from the LR guy on the phone that finally did her in - ie. 'ok to keep driving as long as the temperature doesn't get too high'.
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| Tue May 27 2008 5:36pm |
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chrisb
Joined: 26 Jul 2007
Location: Hope Valley
Posts: 64
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Sounds like I didn't pay enough attention reading you first statement 
However, boiling coolant doesn't mean that the water is nescessarily over temperature. The system operates under pressure, which in turn increases the boiling point of the cooling fluid. As this is no longer under pressure, as iou have had a failure somewhere, it will boil
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| Wed May 28 2008 9:48am |
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hernan1304
Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 362
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Interesting... I sort of knew half of that, but not so clearly. Thanks!
Does the temp gauge on the dash measure the coolant temperature or the engine temperature? Because I'm pretty sure what happened is that my thermostat valve was stuck closed, so no coolant would have been circulating and therefore coolant temp would have been a bad representation of engine temp...
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| Wed May 28 2008 10:32am |
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caverD3
Joined: 03 Jul 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 1765
 
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Sounds like very unusual physical failure. Thermostat would be a standard expanding type do should not stick closed. Getting there is half the fun
TDV6: Adaptive Headlights, Electronic Rear Diff.ARB Bar.Blaupunkt speakers, JVC powered Subwoofer, Removable Snorkel, Mitchell Bros Tow Hitch.
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| Wed May 28 2008 10:51am |
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hernan1304
Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 362
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Still no update on the internal diagnosis of the engine, but according to SWMBO Land Rover has just delivered a FFRR with 26k for us to use until ours is fixed. Took 5 days since we broke down, but it's much better than nothing! I'm hoping it is indeed a FFRR and not a RRS, as I've always wanted to drive one.
SWMBO's words, while sitting in the loaner: "WOW. Can we break ours more often?" 
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| Wed May 28 2008 11:24am |
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hernan1304
Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 362
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I got an update today - they say they are going to replace the cylinder head and head components, NOT the entire engine.
Unfortunately, I don't know what this means!!  Can anyone shed any light on this?
They say the measured warpage on the cylinders and that the other parts of the engine weren't affected. The block wasn't cracked, and everything else is fine.
What can I do?? Is replacing the cylinder head enough? If the engine got hot enough to melt the head gasket - can I really trust that no other damage was done? Could there be hidden damage? Should I DEMAND a new engine from LR? What arguments can I use to do justify getting a new engine vs. what they are proposing to do?
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| Sat May 31 2008 12:37pm |
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Gareth
Site Moderator
Joined: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bob the Builders 'ere
Posts: 9577
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I personally would be questioning that decision.
A new engine is built and tested under the strictest quality control and inspection procedures. There is no way on earth that a mechanic in a Land Rover dealers workshop can reproduce the quality procedures and environment control that the factory assembled engine would have when it was new.
As your car is so new, if I were you, I would not be happy with this. Silver TDV6 HSE
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| Sat May 31 2008 12:46pm |
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paynetec
Joined: 10 Apr 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 48
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Well said Gareth!
Hernan go for a new lump, anything else is wholly unacceptable on such a new vehicle! Ask to speak to the service manager if you dont get anywhere with the front desk ( I doubt you will!!). I had some dealings with him (at the dubai dealership) last week and he seems an amicable chap.
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| Sat May 31 2008 3:37pm |
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DG
Joined: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff !
Posts: 13589
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I agree with Gareth..during production even the thickness of the gasket varies from engine to engine dependent on the build tolerances. I can't see how they would be that precise away from the factory  Start making noises  Powered by............................
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I've been accused of vulgarity. I say that's bullshit 
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| Sat May 31 2008 3:43pm |
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