hernan1304
Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 368
 
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| My D3 Died!!!!!!!! (she's back!) |
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My D3 died today from overheating!
I was going to go on a trip offroad with a group today but the D3 had other plans - we had about an hour and a half drive to the location (all motorway), and when we got there the D3 was boiling its coolant and it was completely gushing out from the pressure  Noticed this after turning the car off - cooling fan wasn't running. This is BEFORE we went offroad...
So we got back to a gas station and called LR assistance. The guy told me that the cap was probably loose and that I could just put any coolant from a gas station in it and as long as the temp was OK it would be fine to keep driving.
SO I read the manual - and according to the manual the info the guy gave me was wrong: the manual says to NEVER use anything other than the recommended Castrol. But that it would be OK in an emergency to use fresh water, with the only caveat being that the anti-freeze properties would be reduced (not much of a problem in 40c heat). So we put fresh water in it.
The manual also said that if the temp reached the red zone, the car would give a warning and engine damage could ensue. And that if the coolant was too low, there would be an amber warning light and a warning in the message center - we did NOT get a coolant low light at any point, even though it got low before we topped up with water.
Well, we started driving for a short distance (after letting the car cool in the shade for almost an hour with the hood open), I was in Command Shift so that I could keep the revs low. The temperature was a tiny bit higher than normal (but nowhere NEAR red). We were moving at maybe 80km/h with the A/C off. Suddenly (with no warning lights, no bongs, nothing to alert me  ), the engine started clicking...so we stopped in a safe place and as soon as I pulled over the engine turned itself off.
I opened the hood and smoke was coming from the engine (smelled like burning). Coolant had mixed with the water and looked fine (not boiling anymore).
So I'm thinking this will mean a new engine for sure!  I'm hoping that LR don't give me any trouble with this. No warnings, temp needle didn't reach red (or even close), and yet the engine burned out and the coolant boiled??? And all this on a 2008 V8 with less than 6000KM on the clock!
The recovery guy said it was probably a stuck thermostat valve. I remember this happening to my mother's Mini and they ended up having to replace the engine... Anyone have any ideas? I'm worried LR would turn around and blame me for this - but I can't believe not a single warning light or sound!!!!
I should also mention that when the recovery truck came I was able to drive it onto the flat bed under its own power but the clicking noise continued and the power was greatly reduced.
Last edited by hernan1304 on Sun Jul 06 2008 5:52am; edited 7 times in total
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 Fri May 23 2008 8:16pm |
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Gareth
Site Moderator
Joined: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bob the Builders 'ere
Posts: 9641
 
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I'm sure Land Rover will look after it. You have used it as the design was intended. Silver TDV6 HSE
Pepper White Cooper S Convertible
Old English White MGB GT
Ex Military 109 Series 2a Soft Top
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| Fri May 23 2008 8:22pm |
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Gazzer
Joined: 30 Nov 2006
Location: Guildford, Surrey **2008 TDV6 HSE**
Posts: 220
 
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So do LR have a mobile assist there in UAE? If so why did he not turn up?
Sounds terminal. Probably is the thermostat.
Whats the oil like?  
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| Fri May 23 2008 9:47pm |
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warrior22
Joined: 06 Apr 2008
Location: All over the soddin' place!
Posts: 190
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There's no way Land Rover could step back from this. You've only got 6000km's on it and you called them for 'assistance' when things didn't seem right. My sympathies for the hassle you are now going to go through but I wouldn't be too concerned about who's going to foot the bill.  Don't be paranoid.........'They' don't like it!!!!!!!
Currently: Land Rover
Previously: Other Land Rovers
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| Fri May 23 2008 10:43pm |
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hernan1304
Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 368
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Thanks for the responses! I'm hoping to hear back from the service people this morning and will report back on what they tell me.
It appears that LR don't have mobile assist here, they just sent me an IATC recovery truck.
The oil was fine before I left - checked it because I was planning on going offroad. So was the coolant level.
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| Sat May 24 2008 7:39am |
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expat
Joined: 06 Apr 2008
Location: oman
Posts: 16
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Any news hernan?
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| Mon May 26 2008 10:21am |
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hernan1304
Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 368
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Today they were able to turn it on for the first time since they got it, because they've spent the past couple of days replacing all the various parts of the coolant system that were leaking (pipes, seals, valves, etc.). They had told me that the engine looked fine, but apparently when they turned it on today there was white smoke coming out of the exhaust. They have sent this out to LR in Englad for diagnosis and are saying that it will likely take some time to get fixed, so they're going to set us up with a loaner until the car is repaired (they don't have any in at the moment but are hoping to get one today or tomorrow).
All covered under warranty, thankfully, and Land Rover in Abu Dhabi have been providing excellent customer service.
Terrible to think that my new LR3 is probably seriously damaged... hope it feels and performs the same as it used to once they fix it!!
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| Mon May 26 2008 11:39am |
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expat
Joined: 06 Apr 2008
Location: oman
Posts: 16
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A freind of mine bought a new fireblade from Honda in Muscat , it had been in for it's first service and he was on his way back to Masirah when it dumped all the oil out of the engine and all over the rear tyre .
After a long drawn out argument as to who's fault it was Honda took the bike back and ''fixed'' it .
300KM later the engine seized solid , turns out they hadnt fixed it the first time they had just fobbed him off !
Not saying that LR will do that but keep an eye out !
Good luck 
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| Mon May 26 2008 12:05pm |
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hernan1304
Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 368
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Thanks - they really have been very good though, and if they were trying to scam me they wouldn't have told me about the smoke I think, so keeping my fingers crossed! Also, they were the ones who told me that the fix might take some time and they were the ones who suggested giving me a loaner until mine is fixed.
Anyway, an incorrect fix should be pretty obvious - the car was clicking loudly when accelerating, lost power completely, had an alarming amount of smoke coming from the engine that smelled like burning, boiled its coolant to the point that it melted/exploded the pipes and seals, and now according to the dealer is releasing white smoke from the tailpipe! It would be hard for them to 'pretend' that they fixed it!
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| Mon May 26 2008 12:17pm |
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expat
Joined: 06 Apr 2008
Location: oman
Posts: 16
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ok mate
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| Mon May 26 2008 2:39pm |
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hasagerkirk
Joined: 16 Mar 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 7
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Sorry to hear about your overheating problems.
I have never had any problems or issues with LR (although in Dubai) - their services and accepting their responsibilities has always been top-notch.
I trust you'll get it sorted out alright - just a pain being without your LR3 
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| Mon May 26 2008 7:03pm |
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hernan1304
Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 368
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Still waiting to hear on the diagnosis of the engine, but I wanted to run a question by you all since this is probably the best place to ask:
My D3 is new. 2008MY, 3 months old, with under 6,000km. And because of a fault of the cooling system, I watched the motor essentially burn out without a single warning on the dashboard. Land Rover will work hard to rectify the problem, I'm sure, and I would think they'll replace everything that they find a fault with.
What I'm wondering is: should this be an acceptable solution for me?
In essence, because of a flaw in one of the components, I will be left with a "refurbished" car that could have nagging issues throughout its lifetime due to the damage inflicted on it by the intense heat. In addition, the car will always have the stigma of having had an engine rebuild due to overheating. I'm afraid that something like that would come back to haunt me come resale time.
My friends and family advise that I fight LR to give me a brand new D3. Is this even a remote possibility? Has anyone heard of a case where LR replaced a vehicle due to a serious technical problem like this? Or is that just too far fetched? Will I just have to keep my mouth shut and be saddled with the rebuilt LR3?
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| Mon May 26 2008 9:22pm |
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yawlboy
Joined: 23 Feb 2007
Location: Cork/Waterford border
Posts: 343
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not a lawyer mate but I would think it depends on the law in your country. I know I'd push for a new engine at the least not a rebuild. you'll never know unless you ask. The Double D's
Bluey a 2007 TDV6 LE Rimini Red (with a lot of extras!!!)
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a 2005 TDV6 S Auto Vienna Green for SWMBO
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| Mon May 26 2008 9:25pm |
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Stirling
Joined: 19 May 2008
Location: Scotland
Posts: 15
 
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How could all the coolant boil off and so much damage be caused without the temperature gauge going into the red ?
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| Mon May 26 2008 9:55pm |
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Gareth
Site Moderator
Joined: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bob the Builders 'ere
Posts: 9641
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I am pretty sure if its an overheat you will get a new engine complete. Its far cheaper for Land Rover to change the whole lot and be done with any subsequent risk of problems from a repaired engine. Silver TDV6 HSE
Pepper White Cooper S Convertible
Old English White MGB GT
Ex Military 109 Series 2a Soft Top
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| Mon May 26 2008 11:35pm |
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