Looking to buy this LR4, but rattle at cold start. Goes away when warm...

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

wallyyfm

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2016
Posts
112
Reaction score
44
Location
NoVA
I have all of the JLR documentation for service. It looks like oil changes were completed on schedule. I'm also confused as to why 2016 timing chains are acting up this early, and I'm definitely a bit nervous about other potential issues (rings, rod bearings). I'll see what mechanic thinks, and see if I can get seller to agree to fix all issues before sale. Thanks guys. I will post videos so there is more info for everyone.

What is the definition of “on schedule” here?
 

Alchern

Active Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2018
Posts
33
Reaction score
7
Location
Ontario, Canada
'On Schedule' = routinely at 10k miles or less.

Also, from shop owner:
"After performing the timing chain repair, water pump and supercharger isolator as outlined the rattling noise you are hearing in the videos will be resolved. The VVT’s are being replaced along with the timing chain repair, they’ve been included in the quote. If there was a stuck valve, we should experience engine performance issue and a check engine light. Anything is possible, overdue oil changes or incorrect oil type may cause undesirable engine noises. There is no indication for me to comment on the likelihood of premature wear in the piston rings or rod bearings as they are not accessible and would require stripping down to engine to gain a visual (not a practical approach). However, if there was premature wear on the piston rings there should be many other indictors of that of which none are present. If a rod bearing is worn there would be a clunking noise at the bottom of the engine and a low oil pressure condition, there is not.
If either the rod bearings or piston rings are compromised, I guess they can be temporarily disguised with the use of much thicker viscosity engine oil or some sort of additive. But there is no way for us to determine that, only after we replace the engine oil knowing we used the correct oil can we determine that. This is not to suggest that [current owner] has been using incorrect oils or not performing services as required, that you should discuss with him. Just want to offer you all the hypotheticals."
 

wallyyfm

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2016
Posts
112
Reaction score
44
Location
NoVA
So that is, in my opinion, way too long of an interval. I have the V8 and 6k tops for me. I feel like it just wasn’t serviced enough probably.
 

ryanjl

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2015
Posts
3,018
Reaction score
1,792
Location
KCMO
But 10k isn't horrible, either; especially for a vehicle with only 65k on the clock.

That said, I had the timing chains done on mine. I bought at 42k miles, then changed the oil every 6k miles until the chains were done just short of 80k miles.
 

wallyyfm

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2016
Posts
112
Reaction score
44
Location
NoVA
So I’ll say this I’m a little skeptical of any guy that is going to toss a lot of money at a vehicle to get it sold. That said, that looks like a lot of work being done so you might be good. It’s either you let Jesus take the wheel, or walk away.
 

Alchern

Active Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2018
Posts
33
Reaction score
7
Location
Ontario, Canada
So I’ll say this I’m a little skeptical of any guy that is going to toss a lot of money at a vehicle to get it sold. That said, that looks like a lot of work being done so you might be good. It’s either you let Jesus take the wheel, or walk away.
I love this...
 

wallyyfm

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2016
Posts
112
Reaction score
44
Location
NoVA
It’s almost like you should have the guy do all the work without any real guarantee of you buying it. After it’s all done and it sounds silent, maybe it’s just the guides. I’m unaware of these things throwing rods, unless anyone else knows. It’s almost always timing chain guides for these I’ve read/heard in person.
 

jlglr4

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2019
Posts
932
Reaction score
477
Location
Northern California
I think if they do the work and the sound is gone, you’re good to go. If the noise is still there, don’t buy it. I agree with everything your mechanic said - with those intervals, I don’t think you need to worry too much about other wear. If JLR was doing the service, they used the right oil (only oil they have).

I have read that the tensioners can still go belly up even though the guide rails seem to be okay. Those will be replaced here as well.

The one other issue I read about in some forum (once) is the spring tensioner on the third chain that drives the fuel pumps. Apparently the spring can pop out of place - not sure how common or if it was rectified in later models. I don’t think it would cause this noise though. I doubt the shop is planning to mess with the third chain at this price, but they can see that spring tensioner when they have the covers off.

If you think about the sellers position, I’m sure he would rather fix and sell with a clear conscience than turn around and sell to an unsuspecting buyer knowing about these possible problems - and he might still be getting close to trade-in value on the car. (But maybe I’m giving too much credit.)
 

Alchern

Active Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2018
Posts
33
Reaction score
7
Location
Ontario, Canada
He truly does seem like a good guy, and he definitely isn’t the type to turn around and sell it to another unsuspecting victim now that he knows about the issue. He is still getting a very good dollar for the vehicle, given the times. He has some cash, as the only reason he is selling is to buy brand new Range Rover autobiography ($170k CAD). It is his wife’s vehicle and they were originally planning to keep it for a long time, so it was well cared for. Never rock crawled.

All oil changes were JLR.

I’ll see what the mechanic says about spring tensioner on third chain.

Thank you
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
36,223
Posts
217,587
Members
30,473
Latest member
OnoA
Top