Newbie LR4 questions - thanks!

[Worzella]

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. New to LR4 world (2012) and have a handful of
questions for anyone who does not mind newbie questions. I am searching site for
answers and have the 5000 page service manual, but thought I would post these in parallel. Couple pix at the end related to some of these questions.

1) Have a broken horizontal vane on this vent. Can the vent be removed from the front
by twisting, turning or pulling? Or does the whole tan panel need to be removed and it
removed from the back.

2) Crazy thought, but has anyone ever checked oil level by putting a thin wire or
dipstick down the drain tube used to suck oil out for a change. Of course, I know
the service menu shows the oil level, but old fashion way is always more comforting for
an old guy like me.

3) This second row middle seat head rest annoys me since it blocks a good portion of the rear window view.
I tried raising to max height and wiggle/pull, but it does not seem to come out. My old 4Runner
head rests pulled out completely. Is there a trick to remove or not possible. Need seat up, so
can't really just lower seat to get it out of the way.

4) When lifting the LR4 on a lift, is there any special procedure that must be done to prevent
damaging the air suspension. I think some makes/models with air suspension need some sort of
"locking" procedure before raising on a lift.

5) Lastly, I know this might be a hard answer, but I have a dime size drip on my garage floor
each morning. I think it is oil, but possibly gearbox/t-case fluid? It is not dripping from the
skid plate edge but rather closer to the driver side (US) wheel. The two pix below show wetness on
what must be the transfer case or front gearbox? I haven't quite educated myself yet on where those
sit. I also just had timing chain rework done, so front crank seal and both valve cover gaskets are
brand new. So I don't think it is oil leaking from on high. I will get under there soon and get a better
look, but just hoping for some thoughts. Also, wonder how I can tell the difference between oil and gearbox fluid
based on just a drip. Maybe I can see color diff or smell? Will give that a try.

Thanks so much for the help - Randy

 

[GunsAndRovers]

Congrats on your LR4. It's a great vehicle and I believe it is the peak generation of the Discovery platform.

#1. No, the entire side trim panel must be removed in order to remove the vent. There is a plenum attached on the back side of that vent with 2 clips that must be removed to free the vent. See page 3709 of the shop manual for removal instructions (there is a sequence).

#2 You're right, that is a crazy thought. That siphon tube takes a few turns on its way down to the oil pan. A piece could break off while fishing a dipstick in or get jammed in one of the curves. I wouldn't take the risk.

#3 Mine wouldn't come out either, I'll check the shop manual to see if there's a trick.

#4 The EAS is only mentioned twice in the lifting/jacking section of the shop manual: 1) States put the EAS on "access height" If you're going to work on the air suspension (like replacing an air strut) presumably so most of the air in the system is bled out. 2) To remove wheels on a four post lift, shop manual states place the suspension on "off-road height". The shop manual repeats having the parking brake on & the transmission in "park" before lifting throughout the entire section—nothing else about the EAS. See page 257 for beginning of jacking/lifting section.

#5 Hard to tell what type of fluid is leaking from the photos you posted but that's definitely not your transfer case. Maybe just residual fluid spill from your timing chain work? I would just wipe clean and monitor for a new fluid pool.

 

[itsaguything]

#3. Due to this situation, I resorted to keeping the centre seat folded down, but not collapsed. It acts as an armrest for the passengers.

#4. I rotate the tires in my garage and use a floor jack. As the vehicle air suspension kept adjusting, I elected to put the vehicle in extended off-road height during this work.

#5. I concur. I like a clean engine compartment so I use degreasers and pressure washers with soap all the time. Then you'll be able to discern what is the issue, easier.

 

[powershift]

#3. Due to this situation, I resorted to keeping the centre seat folded down, but not collapsed. It acts as an armrest for the passengers.

#4. I rotate the tires in my garage and use a floor jack. As the vehicle air suspension kept adjusting, I elected to put the vehicle in extended off-road height during this work.

#5. I concur. I like a clean engine compartment so I use degreasers and pressure washers with soap all the time. Then you'll be able to discern what is the issue, easier.

How are you putting the suspension in extended off-road height?

 

[Worzella]

I was just reading the owners manual and there was this small section. But it says it cannot be entered into extended mode manually, so not sure??

 

[mm3846]

How are you putting the suspension in extended off-road height?

Lower the truck onto jackstands

 

[itsaguything]

How are you putting the suspension in extended off-road height?

It seems you never took the Land Rover Experience driving course ;-). My instructor in Manchester VT was excellent. And I don't travel with jack stands ;-)
Basically, the vehicle senses and auto-adjusts the suspension to the terrain. Therefore it you want super extended mode and you don't have the x-lifter (one day I may get it), you need to trick the vehicle into adjusting to super extended mode.

In my vehicle, once in off-road mode, place a 2X4 under the frame cross member, then press the button for Normal ride height. As the vehicle drops, the drop is impeded by the 2X4, then adjusts to "super" hieght on its own.

If I had the vehicle traversing a mound, put the peak of the mound between the front and rear axle. Adjust the suspension to "Normal". Vehicle will hit the mound, then super extend.

Little boys and their toys and games...

I took a page from this guy...

 

[Rover Range]

3) To remove the headrest. Push the tab on the right side, while lifting up on the headrest.
When the headrest stops, push the tab on the left side to fully release.

 

[Worzella]

Woop woop...the head rest trick worked! Thanks

And now I understand how to force truck to extended height.

My original question about any special technique needed for car on lift is mainly because if I take to tire shop to balance tires I know they will shoot it up on a lift just to remove tires

And finally, the oul drip was there before I had timing work done. But indeed I will pull under skid trays off soon, clean up the area and track what happens

 

[mm3846]

Putting it on a lift doesn’t matter, they’ll just lift it up and it’ll be fine. Back on the ground it’ll be all wonky but will re-level when it starts up.

It’s more so for manual jacking you want to lock it in access mode so it’s easier on you and your jack.. and so the truck doesnt chase itself up.