Another LR4 Saved from Coolant Death

ryanjl said:

I think I said this elsewhere on this board, but the indy I got the $450 quote from has done the front crossover countless times, but has never done the rear one. But by doing the front they knew what more they'd have to do for the rear.

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Ryan, for indy never having done a rear crossover - was he talking about the V8, V6, or both?

Not sure if he was talking about one or the other, but I have a V8 that I was talking to him about. It's a local place that specializes in Rovers and some other euro cars. He said he's done more fronts than he can count, but has never done a rear.

My D4 is at the LR Dealer for the "low coolant" warning and they confirmed it's the front crossover pipe leaking. Thanks to all on this thread who have contributed. Estimate is $1,594 for reference. They are also telling me that I have a left side valve cover gasket leak and quoting $2,457 for that work. I realize that the supercharger and upper components need to be removed for the front crossover pipe so I'm torn about doing the valve cover gasket now as well, I wasn't expecting to spend this much money. If the left side valve cover gasket is slowly leaking would you do it now and spent the $2,457? Or just watch the oil level and maintain?

Find an independent. Dealer should be the last resort of out of warranty work.

ryanjl said:

Find an independent. Dealer should be the last resort of out of warranty work.

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completely agree and I usually do. I’m pressed for time so I have limited choices.

jjvd21 said:

completely agree and I usually do. I’m pressed for time so I have limited choices.

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I think you answered your own question. If the dealer is your choice then let them do it. No sense in breaking all that stuff apart twice. This is assuming you believe them (it’s not unbelievable) and you have the money and you will keep the car for a few years.

They called back and upped the estimate with more work. I’ll go the independent route.

Whomever you let do it, do it all. I've been stranded by a valve cover gasket leak that ended an alternator, and let me tell you it's no fun. From my short experience, no auto parts stores carry LR parts in stock. If the alternator looks caked with oil/grime, replace it too.

Also make sure the vcg quote wasn't separate from the crossover pipe. I don't see why it would be that high unless they were quoting from scratch. The vcg is like $13 by itself and the labor to remove the vcg and some fuel lines doesn't add up to that price imo. The full price is about what my bill was for the vcg job at the dealer, but my warranty covered it.

@jjvd21 Do you happen to be in California, and is your year/mileage under 7years/70K? If so, you might be able to get the valve cover covered under the CA emissions warranty (other states might have similar warranties). I believe the valve cover itself is a listed part. Not sure if they’d try to weasel out on the basis that it’s the gasket, not the cover itself, that’s faulty, but maybe worth a try.

jlglr4 said:

@jjvd21 Do you happen to be in California, and is your year/mileage under 7years/70K? If so, you might be able to get the valve cover covered under the CA emissions warranty (other states might have similar warranties). I believe the valve cover itself is a listed part. Not sure if they’d try to weasel out on the basis that it’s the gasket, not the cover itself, that’s faulty, but maybe worth a try.

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Thanks for the idea, unfortunately I'm not in CA