What do I need to know about LR3/4's?

SafariDave

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2008
92
0
Brooklyn, NYC
The LR4 V8's 5.0 engine as well as all the 5.0 engines on LR4/RRS/RR all suffer from bad timing chain tensioners this is well documented. Unless it has been repaired or updated I would not buy one. The LR3/RRS/RR 4.4 V8 is a reliable engine.
Dave
 
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BDM

Well-known member
May 23, 2005
333
30
OR
I did not remove the pan. I only changed fluid.

Atlantic British sells an updated steel pan kit for the transmission that makes changing the filter a ton easier. The first time is a PIA but once that new filter kit is on, much easier.
 

Swedjen2

Well-known member
Sep 12, 2018
594
127
California
So the answer is some kind of engine that gives Disco's 30 MPG with decent performance.
O.K. I'd settle between 20 and 30.
 

Swedjen2

Well-known member
Sep 12, 2018
594
127
California
I second the 4.4 engine is a Very good engine if maintained properly. Friend has one with over 350K - original. Just change oil and coolant on time.
 

t42beal13t

Well-known member
Feb 21, 2012
117
4
North Carolina
Atlantic British sells an updated steel pan kit for the transmission that makes changing the filter a ton easier. The first time is a PIA but once that new filter kit is on, much easier.
I couldn’t access the filter bolts without lifting the drivetrain. I’ll let a shop handle it next time; I have the upgraded pan sitting in the garage.
 

ryanjl

Member
May 25, 2014
11
5
KCMO
The LR4 V8's 5.0 engine as well as all the 5.0 engines on LR4/RRS/RR all suffer from bad timing chain tensioners this is well documented. Unless it has been repaired or updated I would not buy one. The LR3/RRS/RR 4.4 V8 is a reliable engine.
Dave

Just a point of reference: the timing chain guides and tensioners were updated in late 2012, so a few 2012 models and all 2013 models should have the updated timing chain guides and tensioners from the factory.
 
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SafariDave

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2008
92
0
Brooklyn, NYC
Just a point of reference: the timing chain guides and tensioners were updated in late 2012, so a few 2012 models and all 2013 models should have the updated timing chain guides and tensioners from the factory.
Where is this info on Late 2012 and 2013's with the updated timing chain guides.
Thanks,
Dave
 

jwest

Well-known member
May 28, 2006
899
7
WA & NC
Capability to tow a D1 on trailer? Like it isn't even there.
Tow it fine, sure but "like it isn't there". Total bullshit and you know it. An lr3 or 4 will tow 7000 lbs like it IS there. I towed a 7x12 tandem loaded to max NC-WA and it's absolutely 'there'.
 

jwest

Well-known member
May 28, 2006
899
7
WA & NC
Video shows exhaust just below pan. Not sure how you got around it. Pan doesn't slide out either since it has a tall pickup tube.


Atlantic British trans pan and filter kit has a split version for that reason. You cut the old one out, then the new parts go in as two pieces much smarter.
 

jwest

Well-known member
May 28, 2006
899
7
WA & NC
You would think that.
But what you SHOULD think is the manufacturer gives zero fucks about you, and is only interested in maintaining a revenue stream to their dealers.

Jaguar got rid of the oil drain plug several years ago, requiring a suction tube down the dipstick pipe to extract the oil.
Were they thinking of their customers first?

I just read an article about some stores no longer accepting cash.
Were they thinking about their customers?


Well the TTM stock price is showing a bit of karma for all out grievances LOL
 

p m

Administrator
Staff member
Apr 19, 2004
15,617
838
58
La Jolla, CA
www.3rj.org
Tow it fine, sure but "like it isn't there". Total bullshit and you know it. An lr3 or 4 will tow 7000 lbs like it IS there. I towed a 7x12 tandem loaded to max NC-WA and it's absolutely 'there'.
I towed the same U-haul tandem trailer over Grapevine (going from nearly sea level to 4400ft and down) with LR4, and it... was like it wasn't there. Power-wise, it didn't give a rat's ass. D1 on a trailer is probably twice the weight, so it would be noticeable - but not much.
 

jwest

Well-known member
May 28, 2006
899
7
WA & NC
I wasn't using a U-haul. Mine was at almost 8000 lbs. Northwestern headwinds also make a big difference. An LR4 would probably feel a lot nicer in those situations. Control wise it always felt great so maybe that's part of what you meant. Stability and stopping were never an issue.
 

ryanjl

Member
May 25, 2014
11
5
KCMO
Where is this info on Late 2012 and 2013's with the updated timing chain guides.
Thanks,
Dave

There's a Land Rover service bulletin (attached) that lists the affected vin ranges.

The original timing chain guides were just a tensioner pressing against the bare aluminum guide. Over time, the tensioner piston would begin to wear a hole in the guide, to the point where the guide wasn't being pushed enough to do its job.

The redesign put a steel (?) button in the guide, which should resist wear a lot better.

This video kind of goes into the details and shows the problem with the original design.


On the updated part, you can see the steel "button" insert:


The general consensus is that the problem is exacerbated by Land Rover's insane recommendation of a 15k-mile oil-change interval. There are a lot of LR4s running around with 200k miles or more on the original-design guides, and other LR4s that have the guides replaced at 60k miles. The only variable would have to be when the oil was changed.

I bought my LR4 with 40k miles and changed the oil every 6k. I can only imagine the PO let the oil change intervals go to 15k or more, because I still had my timing chain and guides replaced at the dealer at around 78k miles under an extended warranty, mainly because I was aware of the issue and knew the magic words to tell my service rep to get the job done.

At a dealer, it's probably around a $4,500 repair. It's a colossal PITA to do on your own in a garage, but possible.
 

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