Stumbling acceleration, no codes, dealer guesses oxygen sensors? 2013 LR4 82k miles

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Jim LR4

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Hello again,

per my post a few weeks ago, I’ve got an issue that has been proven difficult to resolve. 2 mechanics said carbon buildup on valves, but did not visually verify. Suggested LiquiMoly valve cleaner. 8 cans and about a thousand miles later, no change whatsoever. Also treated with seafoam through vacuum line (that was wild). Took it to LR dealer who said “both bank 1 oxygen sensors.” Unfortunately no codes. They feel that the sensors are not triggering a code but can be out of tolerance still. Here’s hoping that the $1300 oxygen sensor replacement will fix it. The weird thing is that if it doesn’t, I still have to pay the $1300. Maybe that is standard practice, I don’t know. I have not used a dealer for auto repair in years. Thoughts and observations are welcome. Thanks.
 

f1racer328

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Also treated with seafoam through vacuum line (that was wild)

How did this go? I've been looking into doing this on my LR4.

Also $1300 seems like the dealer is ripping a new one for an O2 sensor. Have you gotten a quote from an independent shop that specializes in rovers?
 

Jim LR4

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It was just like everyone said - tons of white smoke for several miles. My vehicle went into restricted performance mode immediately. I was at a friends shop who was able to clear the codes after I got back from a test drive. So make sure you are someplace where they can reset the codes for you. But it made no difference for my situation. I had taken it to one Land Rover specialist and then another generalist and neither one of them could determine anything.
 

jlglr4

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Those are some expensive o2 sensors. Not difficult to change - an indy should give you a much better price.

o2 sensors certainly age and can cause stumbling, but there can be any number of things that cause that same symptom. Did they run some diagnostics, look at the o2 response on the machine? Anyone check fuel trims? Do you have a GAP tool or the like?

On the V8, some very low hanging fruit are the two PCV valve diaphragms. If they’ve never been changed, they should be anyway. You can do this yourself - located on the top of the passenger side valve cover, near the back. Just by the new caps, diaphragms, and springs, pop the old ones off (carefully - don’t chip the valve cover or $$$), and put the new ones in. Or a garage should be able to do this pretty cheaply.

Otherwise, if we’re just guessing, fuel injectors or MAF sensors come to mind. The MAFs are pretty easy to get to - in the tube connected to the air box. You could buy some MAF cleaner at the auto store and give the sensor a good spray down to clean it - see if it makes a difference. Replacing them is not really going to be any cheaper than the o2 sensors at the dealer, but I’d expect a mechanic to do a little more diagnosis before just throwing parts at $1300 a pop.
 

Jim LR4

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Thank you for your input - I didn’t clarify that $1300 is for the complete diagnostics; I understood that they looked at the trims, etc. there was no trouble code either. I don’t have the Gap tool yet. The LR4 is only a few months old to me and I’m waiting to see if we end up liking each other. I spray cleaned the MAF sensors and cleaned throttle body plate myself. The only reason I took it to the dealer is because I was out of my league, and the 2 Indy mechanics couldn’t fix it either. Frankly, I ran out of patience and am willing to pay to get it fixed properly. Jacking around with different mechanics for weeks at a time is not something I ever had to do with my 2 Land Cruisers. I really like the LR4, but it’s going to have to walk the line now for awhile. I wanted to baseline it anyway but it was so new-to-me that I had t had the time yet. Thank you again for your input.
 

TrinidadLR4

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Have the plugs been done? 82k is approaching plug time.

Although mine have 107k and haven't been done yet. Soon!
 

Jim LR4

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FIXED. Dealer was correct - replaced both passenger side oxygen sensors. That was painful. Will also take your suggestions and change PCV diaphragms and plugs soon, and probably the other 2 O2 sensors as well. One odd thing - I asked one of the earlier referred mechanics to go ahead and change the plugs even though it’s a little early, just in case (he came highly recommended.) When I picked up the vehicle, he said “probably carbon on your valves, run valve cleaner and by the way I didn’t change your plugs because it’s not time yet.”
When a customer tells you to change the plugs, why would you not change the plugs? Hence my frustration with mechanics, and the reason I took it to the dealer. It’s fixed, and I contributed greatly to the local economy. Lol. Thanks again for your input on this.
 

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