3.0 D4 using oil and blue smoke

[MickM]

Has anyone had a similar problem?
My D4 has about done just under 20K Klms. It has used o.5 Ltrs of oil in the past 2K Klms (added 1.0Ltrs 2K Klms ago to bring back to normal level).
Sedate driving and there is no noticeable signs of problems. When you give it a bit of right pedal you get a huge plume of blue smoke (puts puffing billy to shame).
I figure there must be a turbo seal gone.
I am taking it back to LR next week when I get home - see what they reckon.

Is this a known problem???
Hopefully this is a one only as I have been more than happy with the D4 - just makes you very wary when you have a major issue so early in the life of the Disco.

Thanks
MickM

[stig0000]

you sure its blue,, like very very blue, cos all the LR deasls poor out smoke when given heaps, id have to say tdv8 is the worst, but 640nm will do that:D

[MickM]

I might be colour blind but believe me it's blue smoke, I have a 300Tdi so i know what diesel smoke is -the blue smoke kinda ties in with the excess oil use.

[Graeme]

There is a software & hardware fix soon to be released for the common problem of oil build-up in the 2nd turbo tract that occurs if the 2nd turbo isn't used for extended periods. I've had this happen twice after several hours of cruising at a steady 100-110kph then give it the full boot rejoining traffic after a short stop. The fix will keep the 2nd turbo in use all the time just a little and a non-return valve will be fitted but I do not know where.

This may not be the same "fault" that's causing the smoke from your vehicle.

[roamer]

MickM Have alook at the UK site. (DISCO3.CO.UK.. "There is a problem with my 3 lt TDV6" ) there has been a problem with some blowing heaps of smoke,
LR know theres a problem, they have tried a temp fix ( clean oil out of pipes) with limited success, they are working on a fix. Really these modern diesel motors should not blow smoke at all,
Cheers Ken

[mowog]

I had this problem with mine.

It was a blocked oil return line from the second turbo. The guys in the UK seem to have a different issue as they use more oil and blow lots of smoke.

Mine is all fixed now.

[CaverD3]

Sounds like the same issue. Clearing the blockage will only be a tempfix. Keep an eye out and monitor the UK thread. I think you will find there will be a TSB issued when there is a permanent fix.

[MickM]

All - Thanks for your input. As this appears not to be an isolated problem, hopefully LR won't give the usual response "This is the first time this has happened"
I will update next week after taking the Disco back to LR.
Again thanks for all your inputs.

[MartyJB]

Guys what is the latest on this issue?
My D4SE has done about 3000km now and seems to be blowing quite a bit of smoke under acceleration.
I know Sneigy and others posted in a previous topic that this is normal.
There was talk of some software and hardware fixes for this as discussed on the UK forum.
I've got mine booked in to be checked out in a couple of weeks, but wanted to hear prior if anyone had a "fix" put in and what the latest is? Is there TSB from LR on the issue with a fix? Are others still seeing black smoke? Are they convinced it's OK?
BTW Mine hasn't used any oil to speak of, guage started at full and is just over 3/4 now after 3000km.

[fender-tour]

Just so that you know you are not alone....

I made mention in another thread about my D4 3.0 blowing blue smoke in the same circumstances, and there appears to be several others around. My dealer has acknowledged the problem on my vehicle and has referred the matter to LR.

I have absolutely no doubt they will come up with a solution and I am equally confident it is not a major fault with the engine overall and will not have affected the long term durability etc. And it is blue smoke I see, despite lots of people talking about black diesel fumes.

Others have suggested an oil issue in the 2nd turbo tract and this sounds very plausible to me.

I see this and some other small faults as nothing unusual and no reflection on the overall quality of what is to me the most technically advanced "real" 4WD in the market place and one that pushes new boundaries. You can't enjoy the benefits of that without some small pain. I have had the same sorts of annoyances with many of the 4WD's I have owned over the years. My current Defender (Puma) for example....and it is by no means high-tech! Lovable yes, sophisticated no.
Regards, Adrian

[Disco4SE]

The only time that someone else following me (not myself) has noticed smoke is when I had my foot flat to the floor up a steep hill, being a hoon.

MartyJB: I noticed that when I checked my oil (probably similar K's to yours) it was sitting around the 3/4 mark, so I topped it up. Whether it was not totally filled at the pre delivery check, or whether it used a bit at new, is unknown.
Since then, I have checked it regularly, and it remains at full level.

Cheers, Craig

[stig0000]

just so there is no i read this and herd that,

the note FROM landrover to us is that there will be a perminent fix in the next colpe of weeks, and is a very well documented fault

[mowog]

My Blue smoke issue hasn't returned and it hasn't used any oil since the fix.

[CaverD3]

Depends on driving style and conditions. Blocks up with slow driving so will reocur eventually.
I think it is more frequent and wrse in UK due to large streches of car park.:angel:

[oldworleybird]

My 3.0 also blows blue smoke on heavy acceleration and was checked by dealer who has been in contact with LR . I recieved a phone call from dealer last Friday and apparently a fix is now approved and involves changing 1 turbo amongst other things. Parts have been ordered and am awaiting notification that they have arrived. Hopefully this will be a permanent fix.

Ray

[Disco4SE]

My 3.0 also blows blue smoke on heavy acceleration and was checked by dealer who has been in contact with LR . I recieved a phone call from dealer last Friday and apparently a fix is now approved and involves changing 1 turbo amongst other things. Parts have been ordered and am awaiting notification that they have arrived. Hopefully this will be a permanent fix.

Ray
Wonder if this will be a re-call?

Cheers, Craig

[CaverD3]

It will probably be made a TSB or maybe a recall once they have tested that the solution works. Because of ther nature of the problem the only way they can test is by using owners as guinea pigs. So could be a while before the fix is permanent.

[stig0000]

no recall as its not a safty item

there is a new bulltin out on this, will be doing our first one this week maby, expect them to have your car for 2days,

[CaverD3]

Are LR saying it is pernanent fix or are they asking you to monitor it?

[stig0000]

Are LR saying it is pernanent fix or are they asking you to monitor it?

permanent, but EPQRs will still be sent, but every moving part is prone to failure, ;)

[MartyJB]

Mine was in at the dealer today to investigate the blue smoke issue and they have told me there is a service bulletin and they will need to replace one of the turbos. They've ordered the turbo from the UK and will let me know when it arrives. It's a 2 day job to replace it.
I'm a little bit concerned about having the car messed with - the more intervention the more chances for something to go wrong, but at least LR are not putting their head in the sand and ignoring this issue - I'm happy they going to do something about it.
Incidently while it was there it had a couple of software patches for 2 intermittent issues I've had;
The first being I occassionaly got this message saying the steering column was locked while driving along. Stoppping and starting seemed make it go away.
The second was it wouldn't always start first time. You'd press the button and nothing. It normally went on the second attempt, but occasionally had to try a 3rd time to start it.
Time will tell if the software patches work!

[petera]

Mine was in at the dealer today to investigate the blue smoke issue and they have told me there is a service bulletin and they will need to replace one of the turbos. They've ordered the turbo from the UK and will let me know when it arrives. It's a 2 day job to replace it.
I'm a little bit concerned about having the car messed with - the more intervention the more chances for something to go wrong, but at least LR are not putting their head in the sand and ignoring this issue - I'm happy they going to do something about it.
Incidently while it was there it had a couple of software patches for 2 intermittent issues I've had;
The first being I occassionaly got this message saying the steering column was locked while driving along. Stoppping and starting seemed make it go away.
The second was it wouldn't always start first time. You'd press the button and nothing. It normally went on the second attempt, but occasionally had to try a 3rd time to start it.
Time will tell if the software patches work!
Hi Martyy,
my turbo was replaced before i took delivery of the car (D4HSE). So far so good at 2500k's.
Cheers,
Peter

[tempestv8]

Mine was in at the dealer today to investigate the blue smoke issue and they have told me there is a service bulletin and they will need to replace one of the turbos. They've ordered the turbo from the UK and will let me know when it arrives. It's a 2 day job to replace it.

I think the dealers will take the body off the chassis, so that it's easier to install the 2nd turbo.

Looks kinda cool when the body is separated from the chassis and drivetrain - much easier to get to various parts of the engine and drivetrain.

[chuck]

I have seen the body off the chassis thing.
It looks fascinating and daunting at the same time.
However I have been told that it is not that hard to do & think this has to happen in a very very major service to replace timing belts.

Regards

Chuck

[MickM]

I had my 25K service done between xmas & New Year and my LR agent still hadn't had a response from LR regarding my problem. I have only done about 5,000 K's since the service, as I am currently in Malaysia and I will be back in Townsville sometime next week and will follow up again with them, as the fault hasn't magically disappeared.

It is very interesting how when talking to LR they have never seen or heard of the problem but as shown with this forum mine is not an isolated incident. I demonstrated the problem to one of the LR mechanics and he was questioning if it was blue smoke or white smoke with a blue tinge - I kinda got lost at this stage. After explaining that the smoke was the same as when a DC3 or any other Radial engined aircraft started he kinda agreed it may be blue.

Would it be possible for "Oldworleybird" "MartyJB" and "Petera" let me know which LR agent you have so I can put my agent contact with them if they keep telling me there isn't a problem.
Thanks
MickM

[oldworleybird]

Parts have arrived and booked for work on 7th of March apparently 2 days work , tight for access but no body off required. LR dealer is John Patrick in Port Macquarie and mine will be second similar fix they have done.

I hope this is helpful.

Ray

[D4disco]

I missed this before making my first post today regarding a sort of back fire and blue smoke and loss of power in my D4 taking off from the lights. Assuming the smoke was not from fuel, I wonder if excess turbo oil is burning (exploding in my case). It doesn't take much to get a good cloud of smoke but the thump and loss of power suggest it stopped the turbo for a moment.

D4disco

[petera]

Hi sorry I missed this post. Myturbos where replaced by Trivett in Sydney.
Cheers,
Peter

[MickM]

I have now had the turbos replaced and all is well. One thing which I have noticed since having the turbos changed was I have lost the slight turbo lag - just like new again.
I didn't really notice the turbo lag developing as it wasn't very noticeable. but all is good once again.
A piccie with the body off for the turbo change

[Celtoid]

I have now had the turbos replaced and all is well. One thing which I have noticed since having the turbos changed was I have lost the slight turbo lag - just like new again.
I didn't really notice the turbo lag developing as it wasn't very noticeable. but all is good once again.
A piccie with the body off for the turbo change

Good to hear all is well mate.

Does it develop turbo lag or is it just the ZF learning bad habits? I thought the general consenus was that the twin turbo can't have turbo lag as the small (first) turbo spools in 500ms.

Everytime I've had my D4 into LR and they flash the ECU, the performance is fantastic but over a period of time the changes become slower and rougher on occasions. It's very frustrating. In manual mode, acceleration is close to instantanious.

I'd love to drive a manual with this donk, just to see once and for all.

Mine's in for a turbo change next month....so hope it goes well.

Cheers,

Kev.

Edit....Meant to add..

Drove an XR6 hire car in Canberra a few weeks ago....it's got a ZF box too....it felt like it had turbo lag also...and this one was the non-turbo version....:)

[Celtoid]

When LR do the turbo change on a D4 3.0L.....do they have to change the engine oil, or just top up?

Just wondering if I should tell them to change the oil while they are at it?!

Cheers,

Kev.