In this article, we will talk about those cases where the owner can prevent serious malfunctions of the diesel engine on Land Rover Discovery 3 and Discovery 4, in particular, the 2.7 TD engines and 3.0 TD engines.

It is clear that if there is already a serious defect in the engine that was put in place at the production stage (for example, cranking the crankshaft liner is a common problem), it is destined to manifest itself in the future, and the owner is unable to warn him in any way. He has no choice but to just continue to operate the machine in compliance with all the manufacturer’s maintenance regulations.

But nevertheless, there are systemic (repetitive) defects in service practice “Discovery 3” and “Discovery 4”, which can be foreseen and thus avoid costly repairs of diesel engines 2.7 TD and 3.0 TD. Moreover, the technical service of Jaguar Land Rover has created so-called technical bulletins about many of these problems. This is a kind of technical improvements and recommendations for the prevention of faults and their better repair.

The most insidious and frequently encountered malfunction of 2.7 TD diesel engines and 3.0 TD diesel engines, which has serious consequences, is an oil leak through the crankshaft front oil seal. This happens unexpectedly, transiently and, as a rule, with the onset of frost. To put it in simple terms, the front oil seal tritely squeezes out of the seat, and the oil flows in a stream. The owner often sees that there is a leak of oil, he even adds it and continues to go, but the oil has time to drain all the same, and the car gets into service with a knocking motor.

At first, when this problem had not yet been studied, when leakage of the front omentum was detected, it was simply changed. But the car immediately returned with a second leak of oil. After some time, Land Rover technical support studied this problem in depth in all markets around the world and identified the cause. It turned out that the gland on a number of engines 2.7 TD and 3.0 TD squeezes out due to incorrect seating of the oil pump housing. And therefore, they spent the first revision of the oil pump itself, took out of circulation the old oil pumps, made improvements on the conveyor and issued a technical bulletin. It regulates that in such situations (detection of leaks of the front crankshaft oil seal), it is necessary not only to change it but to change the oil pump to a new sample and change a new oil seal.

Along with the problem described, the cause of oil squeezing out from under the seal, including the crankshaft front oil seal, maybe the freezing of crankcase ventilation. The fact is that there is one metal tube, which is the main ventilation line of the crankcase vapours. And in conditions of low temperatures, it can freeze. Accordingly, the pressure of oil vapour in the engine grows and begins to squeeze the glands, which is accompanied by oil leakage. This problem was also studied by Land Rover engineers, who made technical improvements, produced an electric heater for the crankcase ventilation system, made it to the range of original parts and gave technical recommendations for its installation. This applies only to engines 2.7 TD Land Rover Discovery 3 and Discovery 4.

Often, many customers who came with such a problem and found out about these technical bulletins wondered why we didn’t offer them to change it beforehand. The fact is that this does not happen to everyone and not so often (but systematically). And if you offer everyone to do this, then by many clients this can be perceived as a kind of divorce. Moreover, Land Rover technical support prescribes it to be done only upon the fact of oil leakage. Not everyone can have it, which means that there is no point in doing an operation for everyone without a reason. But we are trying to describe to all clients the situation so that they know this aspect, because, as they say, to be forewarned, is to be armed. And the client himself will have to choose what to do and what not.

It is very convenient to combine the replacement of the oil pump and the front oil seal with the replacement of the timing belt. Since the work is completely connected, as a result, when it is time to change the timing belt, in particular, by 2.7 TD or 3.0 TD, if the budget allows, you can combine this with replacing the oil pump with a new sample, as well as install a new oil seal.

So what is important to remember? If the diesel engine 2.7 TD and 3.0 TD Discovery 3 and Discovery 4 had an oil leak through the crankshaft front oil seal, it is necessary to replace the oil pump with a new sample and replace the oil seal, otherwise, the problem will recur.

Pictures Source By: LR West

Further Reading: http://www.landyonline.co.za/techtalk/landrover-tdi-reliability-problems.htm