Camshaft sensor, timing belt or new engine? 2015 LR4 75K

JamesUSMC · Sep 3, 2019

I noticed my engine light suddenly came on, but no real appearance of rough running or issues. Then while driving (about 70mph) a few miles down the road, the light started flashing. I pulled it over and limped it back home at 35mph. I have an ODB, so I tested it and a bunch of codes (I think 8) in total were on it.

Most dealt with P0300 - P0305 (Misfire of cylinder 5), etc. There were CAM SHAFT SENSOR codes on it as well. I cleared the codes and let the vehicle rest while I called a few places. I was shocked about an hour later when I started/drove it about 4 miles from my house that whatever was wrong appeared to be "gone".

I parked it in front of the service place (Christian Bros). I started it back up after a few minutes and the rough running/idling engine was suddenly back along with that engine light.

Here's the problem... Christian Bros is telling me they think the timing belt is coming apart and it's not a sensor. Then they also think it may have catastrophic engine damage. I'm not sure, but they said it needed oil and they're making a game plan for me.

IF it's the sensor, and it's intermittent - wouldn't I want to check/replace that first? Other thoughts????

avslash · Sep 3, 2019

More info needed.

First, it doesn't have a timing belt. It has one timing chain for each bank of cylinders. You don't mention the year of your vehicle, but there are known issues with the earlier LR4.

It is not totally a spontaneous failure. Have you had any previous indicators? Most notable would be a rythmic knock from the engine compartment.

Next question would be what are they basing their catastrophic claim on? Low compression? Water mixed with coolant?

It could be a damaged engine. It could also be a bad sensor, bad coil, bad injector, etc, etc.

Bottom line, you need more info for us to be of use. The specific codes it is throwing would be good start.

Good luck.

ETA:. Just saw you said 2015 in thread title. Should be well past the problematic timing chain issues, assuming oil changed regularly.

Makes me highly doubt "catastrophic" engine damage.

jaamrode · Sep 3, 2019

JamesUSMC said:
I noticed my engine light suddenly came on, but no real appearance of rough running or issues. Then while driving (about 70mph) a few miles down the road, the light started flashing. I pulled it over and limped it back home at 35mph. I have an ODB, so I tested it and a bunch of codes (I think 8) in total were on it.

Most dealt with P0300 - P0305 (Misfire of cylinder 5), etc. There were CAM SHAFT SENSOR codes on it as well. I cleared the codes and let the vehicle rest while I called a few places. I was shocked about an hour later when I started/drove it about 4 miles from my house that whatever was wrong appeared to be "gone".

I parked it in front of the service place (Christian Bros). I started it back up after a few minutes and the rough running/idling engine was suddenly back along with that engine light.

Here's the problem... Christian Bros is telling me they think the timing belt is coming apart and it's not a sensor. Then they also think it may have catastrophic engine damage. I'm not sure, but they said it needed oil and they're making a game plan for me.

IF it's the sensor, and it's intermittent - wouldn't I want to check/replace that first? Other thoughts????

If Christian Brothers told you have a timing belt run far far away. The 3.0 V6 has a timing chain not a belt. The chain may stretch, very uncommon, but it won’t “come apart” unless it breaks in which case the engine won’t run and you have bent valve or much greater problems. The 5.0 and 3.0 engines have been known to have tensioner pullyes wear out and cause the timing to skip a tooth or two.

If the codes are only for cylinder 5, I would be looking at the ignition coil or injector for that cylinder.

jettore · Sep 3, 2019

I would definitely find a land rover specific indy shop. If they are saying timing belt go pick it up right away.

JamesUSMC · Sep 4, 2019

Thanks everyone! I thought it was strange that when the codes were cleared, that it appeared to run just fine. Had me extremely worried that when I parked it down 4 miles down (after a successful drive) that it started running extremely rough again on start up, and of course the engine light came back on. I'm leaning towards something simple in terms of sensors - especially after reading these responses. Also - I'm not sure if they said "belt" or "chain" - but with 75K miles, I seriously doubt it would be a chain. The fact they said it was low on oil has me a little worried... Thanks again!

ryanjl · Sep 4, 2019

JamesUSMC said:
I'm not sure if they said "belt" or "chain" - but with 75K miles, I seriously doubt it would be a chain.

I'm afraid I've got some bad news...

The timing chain guides in the 5.0 V8 are known for going bad, causing the chain to stretch and requiring replacement of all of it.

The guides were updated to a new part in 2013, but they still purportedly have problems if people stick to Land Rover's insane 15k oil change intervals.

In 2014, your SCV6 engine came out, but it's essentially a 5.0 V8 with the back two cylinders rendered inoperable. Meaning, it's prone to timing chain guide issues if the oil isn't changed more frequently than LR recommends.

That said, I'd think if yours was a timing chain issue, it wouldn't be intermittent.

mpinco · Sep 4, 2019

Just a thought but mechanical issues don't appear and disappear. On the other hand electrical issues (sensors) can be intermittent and be sensitive to temperature.

I agree, run away from anyone who can't do basic research to know whether you have a timing chain or belt.

scott schmerge · Sep 4, 2019

JamesUSMC said:
Thanks everyone! I thought it was strange that when the codes were cleared, that it appeared to run just fine. Had me extremely worried that when I parked it down 4 miles down (after a successful drive) that it started running extremely rough again on start up, and of course the engine light came back on. I'm leaning towards something simple in terms of sensors - especially after reading these responses. Also - I'm not sure if they said "belt" or "chain" - but with 75K miles, I seriously doubt it would be a chain. The fact they said it was low on oil has me a little worried... Thanks again!

If I’m not mistaken, you’ll get notified on the cluster if your oil level is a quart down. I’ve never been low, but I think I read that on the manual. The truck has to sit not running for a bit for oil level to register.

JamesUSMC · Sep 6, 2019

So, I found out the following... took it to a local shop that specialized in LR's.
This was on the email. "Your vehicle has jumped time. We went out to the parking lot and attempted to crank the vehicle and it would not start. It is very noisy while cranking and through the oil fill cap, you can see the Bank 2 Timing Chain. There is an extreme amount of slack in the chain, coupled with fault codes for misfires on that bank, and camshaft timing error on that bank. All signs point to the fact that this motor has jumped time and will need timing chain replacement." All in, $4100.00 and about 5 days. I guess they have to take the entire front end off, and replace a ton of other things while they're in there. They also said my engine has the "older" LR parts that were replaced in late 2015. I'm getting new/upgraded parts - so I guess that's a bonus... Uggg.

avslash · Sep 6, 2019

Interesting.

We don't seem to get many reports of timing chain issues on 2013-2016 models. Supposedly the "upgraded" parts hit the assembly line for late 2012 production.

If they are doing a proper job on the chain/tensioner replacement then $4,100.00 is not a bad price. It is an involved job that requires a great deal of parts removal to access the chains.

I'm curious how long you have owned the truck and if you are familiar with what the oil change interval on the vehicle has been?

Camshaft sensor, timing belt or new engine? 2015 LR4 75K

JamesUSMC

Member

avslash

Full Access Member

jaamrode

Full Access Member

jettore

Full Access Member

JamesUSMC

Member

ryanjl

Full Access Member

mpinco

Full Access Member

scott schmerge

Full Access Member

JamesUSMC

Member

avslash

Full Access Member

Similar threads

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Share this page