Thread: D3 ENGINE FAILURE!!!!

Coolant level low is a symptom of a head gasket with the rough running it certainly sounds like a head issue. More will be known when the heads are pulled off.

If it is just a head job $7k sounds a bit much. Best establish why a whole new/reco engine is considered necessary.

BUGGER.
Havent heard of many D3 V6 petrol failures.
BUT research the Ford Explorer V6 petrol(EXPLODER) Same engine Im told.
Andrew

The Ford version will be heaps cheaper and I guess a few in the wreckers.Get an Exploder engine and put the landie ancillaries and management systems on.

Garry

The $7K+ sounds way too high. Try engine reconditioning specialists. I would think if you can provide them with a second motor from a wreck, the cost should be way under $7K+. Alternative, try LinnRover for a s/h motor from a D3, and swap it in.

Originally Posted by FOMOCO

Are there any known issues with these Ford Cologne engines?

.... engine is being stripped now , I'm being quoted $7k + labour for a new/reconditioned engine .....

How come you've given the go-ahead for this work , and now
you're asking ? The vehicle should have been taken to your
home whilst you researched the fix. These engines are very
reliable . Your engine symptoms are somewhat that of a head
gasket failure . That's not half the price of a new Corolla , to
fix ! Don't get rooted by these people .

I've seen a couple with a dropped valve that can do untold damage to the piston & head.

If it's being stripped down, at least they'll soon find out the cause of the failure & you can take it from there.
Maybe get your repairer to contact a LR dealer - LR were trying to get rid of a few of these engines recently (old unused stock).

Thanks for all the replies, really helpful; I'm almost over the shock I thought these motors were solid and well tested; I'd almost convinced myself that the timing chains (all 3!) would be working in my favor

I've only given go ahead to take the heads off to diagnose the cause and damage done; I'm hoping they've jumped to a massive conclusion and that it can be repaired in situ. I'll go and take a look for myself once they have the heads off to confirm what they have found.....

Scouse, unfortunately you were right, I wish it had been a head gasket....but it's dropped a valve, put a hole in the piston and damaged the block and head....arrrrrr! on a 72k km engine, I can't believe it. What would cause the valve to drop?

Now I'll have fork out for a new motor (quote growing arms and legs as usual), hunt around for a salvaged engine or sell the rolling shell and find a high cliff. Maybe I could go down the Fred Flinstone route and put a small animal in the engine bay!

Would a 4.4 motor be an easy swap if I found a one?

Does anyone out there know of anyone breaking a D3 in Perth?