Crazy to consider new engine in a 2016 LR4?

[scapistron]

I bought a reman about a year ago, but that price is really good.

 

[Land Rover Joe]

Last one we did was $10K, just for the engine. You'll need all the gaskets etc.

Dear @Rover Range

Is that $10K purchase price for the reman, or did you rebuild the engine at your shop and that is cost of the shop labor?

 

[Rover Range]

That was the cost for a reman engine from Land Rover.

 

[bdd123]

You never say what the symptom is. If you cannot accurately articulate the symptom then it is unlikely that you will get a good response.

My best interpretation is you are losing coolant and cannot figure out why.

Head gasket issue does not mean new engine

 

[DavidSG]

You never say what the symptom is. If you cannot accurately articulate the symptom then it is unlikely that you will get a good response.

My best interpretation is you are losing coolant and cannot figure out why.

Head gasket issue does not mean new engine

Like I said, I’m taking it to a different Land Rover specialist to run some more tests to see if it is a leak or something internal with the engine.

From what I understand (have been told), if it is a head gasket issue, not many shops will attempt to repair it and the better option would be a replacement. I’m not at that point yet where I’m making that decision - still trying to gather more facts but started this thread to start mentally preparing myself for what may be necessary if I’m not willing to depart with my LR4 (which I’ve pretty much decided I’m not willing to depart with it).

I can’t articulate much more than what I have indicated. My coolant reservoir tank has gone pretty much empty after around 5k miles over the past two years (after doing all the recommended coolant system replacement stuff two years ago), and that frequency of losing coolant seems to be increasing.

I haven’t noticed any change in how the engine runs. But I did notice visible white smoke (not super thick but still visible) coming out of the exhaust after starting the engine the past couple of days. But after I drove it a few miles, the smoke was gone.

I also noticed the engine being fairly warm two hours after I drove it the other day. Not sure if that is normal or if it should be cooling down faster after engine shut off. And I noticed a wheezing noise for a minute or so from somewhere near the engine / coolant tank after I shut off the engine - not sure if that was the water pump doing its thing before it shut down. I’m clearly not mechanically inclined to diagnose if that was a normal sound or not. But another shop that supposedly diagnosed the coolant issue recently indicated they could hear the water pump was going bad and they recommended a replacement. I don’t want to spend the money to do that right now until I confirm it’s not the engine itself burning coolant. I would be thrilled if that is actually the issue and the original water pump replacement I had done two years ago simply went bad.

That’s all I know right now. Hopefully will find out more after the next pressure test (and combustion test, if the pressure test doesn’t identify the source of the leak).

 

[powershift]

Post back what you find.

It wouldn't hurt to drop the skid plate and inspect underneath if you haven't done that already. I do that when changing oil, its good practice so that I can spot any new leaks even though I don't expect any. Hypothetically, fluid could get caught on top of the plate and drain off when you are driving.

 

[DavidSG]

Just got the results from the combustion test - looks like there is indeed exhaust getting into the coolant system. I sent the video of the test to a separate Land Rover technician and based on what they saw, they indicated it was likely a warped cylinder head or failed head gasket.

So there it is. Not sure how long I could go (periodically topping off the coolant) before the engine fails (not a comfortable thought knowing that I'm driving a ticking time bomb). If anybody has any recommendations on other steps (other than a replacement), let me know!

 

[Rover Range]

Just got the results from the combustion test - looks like there is indeed exhaust getting into the coolant system. I sent the video of the test to a separate Land Rover technician and based on what they saw, they indicated it was likely a warped cylinder head or failed head gasket.

So there it is. Not sure how long I could go (periodically topping off the coolant) before the engine fails (not a comfortable thought knowing that I'm driving a ticking time bomb). If anybody has any recommendations on other steps (other than a replacement), let me know!

Believe it or not. This stuff works. Not permanent of course. https://www.autozone.com/sealants-g...V63BHAR1JzxICEAQYASABEgLFFPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[renli3d]

As Rover range suggested, you should try the crc head gasket fix. If you're only losing a coolant reservoir worth of coolant every 5k miles you have a very small leak, the ideal type to be fixed with this product. This particular product uses nano particles reinforced with fibers so if it does fix the leak, the results should be permanent barring another overheating episode. If you're assuming you'll need a new engine anyways, why not try it? I've had so much success using products like at-205 to recondition seals, Valvoline restore and protect to unstick piston rings, BG induction solvents to clean valves, that I am now of the opinion that many of these products work, but they must be used appropriately with an understanding of what exactly the products do. One thing best to avoid though are oil additives, i.e. anything that changes the chemistry of your motor oil. You don't want to mess with that.

 

[powershift]

Sorry to hear that, David. So when they did the pressure test, they drop the exhaust header, run the test and then visibly see coolant dripping out of the exhaust port(s)?

It sounds like there would need to be a coolant channel right next to the exhaust outlet on the head for there to be a leak. I'd probably verify that since it could be done for free.