Ran low on coolant - hose came loose. What issues could engine have now? 2011 LR4

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greiswig

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That whole assembly of coolant hoses and fittings on the driver side of the radiator....man, what a mess! I can easily see how one could make a mistake there.
 

Travis

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Wow that's rough. Sorry to hear. Can I ask about your decision? Just curious why, if you're otherwise satisfied with the truck, you didn't want to take it to the specialist shop to get to the root of the problem? Sure it was going to cost some money in diagnostics, but then you would have certainty. I only ask because you first mentioned maybe a gasket for $6k but then you sort of jumped to needing a new motor for $14k. Was it just that you were thinking of more repairs? Anyway, sorry to hear of the misfortune. Good luck!

I really struggled with the decision (and still am). I thought about putting in other engines like an LS swap. I even spent about two hours online one night determining what it would take to put an electric motor and batteries to power an LR4 (I'm an electrical engineer). My decision came down to a few factors for me: After talking with both Sharper Edge Engines and a Land Rover / Jaguar specialist shop that was very knowledgeable (and after searching this forum), the "experts' consensus" was that if things on that particular engine get hot, a lot of things get damaged quickly. The service shop felt that it could be $6,000 to fix, but once they got into it it could cost more. There is also the unknown with the timing chain parts that could cost money in the near future (or maybe not). Honestly, the upgraded remanufactured engine seemed like the way to go, but that $10k cost coupled with the cost of the install of the engine would have meant that would have ended up being $13k to $14k. (I potentially could have negotiated this down $1k or $2k).

These costs, combined with the fact that the original service shop offered me $4,750 for my LR4 (and took care of the $300 service/tow bill) meant that the difference to fix it or let it go was between $11,000 to $19,000 as far as money in my bank account was concerned. The Land Rover specialist I talked to helped make my decision also. He said a lot of people buy these at auction with engines that had the cooling system fail thinking they are getting a great deal, not knowing how difficult or expensive it is to repair them. When I asked him point blank what he would do in my situation, he said that if he was me he would take the few thousand dollars for the non-running LR4 if it was offered.

Everyone's situation is different, and I'm sad that I had to let the LR4 go. I have regret that it's probably my fault this happened, especially since I learned this past weekend that my son thinks the LR4 is just about the coolest SUV you can have, and likes it even better than his mom's Range Rover Sport because the LR4 is more "manly". I can lease a Toyota Tacoma for three years for the amount I sold my non-running LR4 for plus the amount it would cost to fix. I have a Ford Bronco on order that I am scheduled to get in spring/early summer 2022 that should provide the excitement and joy I got driving the LR4. That's right around the time my son turns 16. I'll let him drive the Tacoma (which will be reliable for him, better on gas than the LR4, and has some forward collision warnings and pedestrian detection). I'm also on the list to get the Tesla Cybertruck whenever that arrives. By the time the Cybertruck is available to me in 2 to 3 years or so, the Tacoma lease will be up. The arrival of the Cybertruck was going to be when I sold my LR4, because it will do everything I could want it to do, including towing my 5,200lb boat and get mileage I could never have dreamed of for the LR4.
 

timc930

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Me personally, If I like the car, and it's in good condition (Body/Interior), then I can't see dumping it cheap then turning around and buying another used/new car that will most likely depreciate on the way home. I'd easily dump double what its worth IF I was previously happy, and had no previous intent to sell/trade to replace it. Now, If I was not happy with it, or it was not in good shape, or I was considering selling or trading for another used/new car, then sure, I'd dump it.

I am NOT judging your decision, please don't get me wrong, you did what was best for you, and I totally respect that. I am just expressing my opinion as to what I would do, as if anyone really cares!!!!

Good luck to you, and really sorry this happened...

Tim
 
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ktm525

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The danger is you put a new engine in and then 4 months later it needs extensive suspension work, then 2 months later one of the diffs lets go etc. I believe the term is nickel and diming. There is no correct answer.
 

Travis

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Me personally, If I like the car, and it's in good condition (Body/Interior), then I can't see dumping it cheap then turning around and buying another used/new car that will most likely depreciate on you way home. I'd easily dump double what its worth IF I was previously happy, and had no previous intent to sell/trade to replace it. Now, If I was not happy with it, or it was not in good shape, or I was considering selling or trading for another used/new car, then sure, I'd dump it.

I am NOT judging your decision, please don't get me wrong, you did what was best for you, and I totally respect that. I am just expressing my opinion as to what I would do, as if anyone really cares!!!!

Good luck to you, and really sorry this happened...

Tim
Tim - I really struggled with the decision as well and I appreciate your opinion. And other than the engine, the body/interior was in great shape. The interior leathers especially seem to wear really good. I kept it in great shape. I didn't want to get a different vehicle either, but I needed a vehicle to tow my new boat with (and do all the other things my other vehicle, a 2017 Mercedes-AMG C43 coupe, can't do). Now is also a terrible time to buy a new or used car - vehicles are really expensive. That factored into my decision process as well.

But in the end, I did a 3 year lease (15k miles/year) on a 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road. The total cost of the lease over 36 months will be a little over $14,000 total. The maintenance for the first two years is covered by Toyota. So I really shouldn't have much for "extra" expenses on the leased Toyota Tacoma outside the lease cost. My concern with getting the Land Rover fixed is exactly what ktm525 above stated. I was concerned that if I spent $13k or $14k on the Land Rover, I may still experience additional costly expenses over the next three years.

The Tacoma I leased should be nice and reliable, but it doesn't make me turn my head and give it a second glance as I walk away from it like my LR4 did. The interior on the LR4 is so much nicer. And let's face it - the LR4 is a cooler vehicle. The LR4 probably would have towed my 5,000lb boat better too (the payload capacity on my Tacoma is a little light at 990lbs, whereas the payload capacity of the LR4 is about 1,300lbs.) There is something to be said for the safety technology in the Tacoma and the adaptive cruise control and the Apple CarPlay I now have, but I'll always miss my LR4 and wish it would have lasted longer.

Until I get my Tesla Cybertruck in a few years. Then I'll probably forget all about gas-powered vehicles lol.
 

SantaAna7

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Very rough and sad news. Appreciate the share though. Too often we hear how a diy job is easy but never hear about Murphy's Law turning the bedding into a diaper.
The new Bronco looks great. Hope it makes you forget all about this ending.
 

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