D3 V8 Coolant - Check your fittings

[the_preacher1973]

I've heard it said that the V8 D's 3 are probably the most trouble free of the engine options but most of these are getting up to 7 or 8 years old now so we're sure to start seeing some foibles creep in shortly.

I recently had a small coolant leak on my MY06 D3 V8. The car reported low coolant level (small "i" in instrument panel. The thing beeps at you if you drive above walking pace in access mode or leave the tailgate slightly ajar but thinks a small "i" is adeqaute for something that could cause $15k worth of damage)

Car was due for service so just topped it up to "get me through". Kept an eye on the level and noticed it was losing about 200ml per 100km. No fluid visible on the ground.

Had the vehicle checked out and it was found the car was leaking fluid from a plastic hose fitting near the manifold. The mechanic stated that the fitting fell apart in his hand when he touched it as the plastic had perished. The part has since been replaced by a metal fitting.

So we've got plastic fittings in high temeperature areas completely obscured from view by the plastic engine cover. Might be worthwhile for owners to take off the cover and test their fittings. Mine can't be the only one failing at this point.

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/629/6j2a.jpg

Still, glad Land Rover was able to save a few cents on the fittings.

A big thank you to Shane from Techno British in Brisbane for sorting this out so quickly for me.

[Marmoset]

Thanks for the heads up, I've not had my engine cover off yet but will have a look over the weekend.

How many Km's has yours got on it?

[the_preacher1973]

Thanks for the heads up, I've not had my engine cover off yet but will have a look over the weekend.

How many Km's has yours got on it?

65,000.

[slydr]

Hi, had the same issue on mine (06 HSE V8), small amount being lost. So did a full cooling system flush, clean and in the process broke the tee fitting (by finger tightening it) so replaced it for $17.95 with the genuine part and all good now.

That said there are an awful lot of plastic fittings in the cooling system....

I'm at 128,500km.

[bbyer]

I have about 180,000 km on my 2005 4.4L petrol V8 LR3 now.

This fall, I flushed the cooling system and replaced not only that tee, but also the thermostat housing as well, (LR part number LR005631).

Due to Land Rover's goofy pricing, it was almost cheaper for me to purchase a complete thermostat housing c/w already installed thermostat ($141.00), than just purchasing the thermostat separately, (about $80.00).

It was also easier to install the housing complete than install that multi piece thermostat and get it right the first time.

We do not get the high temperatures you do, (-30C these days), so heat is not quite the problem it could be but time still is.

[gossamer]

Off topic is their a thread on who has the most ks on a v8? mine has 225,000

[Epic pooh]

You're winning - I'm at 137,000 (2005 V8 HSE). Any engine issues at this point ? Or is it just run in ? ;)

Oh, and while we're wallowing off topic ... who's changed their spark plugs, at what ks and which plugs were used ?

[bbyer]

I replaced the spark plugs twice, both times with official LR plugs, part number LR005253.

The first set was at 91,000 km; the second set at 177,000 km.

Also at the 177,000 km mark, I replaced the Ignition RF Suppressor Capacitor, LR004160, located on top of the engine sort of. This was not because it was giving any difficulty but there are reports of it breaking down and then causing problems - preventative maintenance I suppose.

In both cases, the spark plugs looked OK; again the reason for change what what I would call preventive maintenance; also the fact that I have heard stories of the plugs freezing into the head in engines where the plugs have never been routinely changed - some regard that story as unfair and not to be spread.

So far, no engine work of any kind; still the same water pump; a new alternator, starter and electric fan assembly, but that is about it.

[gossamer]

ive only had mine about a month (got it for a good price) , but touch wood motor is all good, i need to take it in and have the transmission serviced because it doesn't look like its been done (original pan and no records of it being done), it needs a new suspension compressor as it shows up errors (already brought it just to lazy to fit it) plus i think it needs shocks because they feel a bit bouncy esp when i first start off but ive read to a point that may be normal. I know the owner of Hiline 4wd in Traralgon (Vic) a Landy specialist so ill take it down to him over the school holidays and he can give it the once over.

[Marmoset]

Mine's just ticked over 100,000Km's - only had it a few months and the only attention the motor has had is an oil and filter change. I've now sorted everything out on the car that was needing attention when I bought it (brakes, bushes, tyres, suspension electrical problem) so will turn to a bit of proactive maintenance in the new year with a gearbox service.

It's a big change from the TD5 D2, I was always on edge about the cooling system on that car, I looked under the bonnet every few days! Not so with the D3 :)

[Epic pooh]

Touch wood, mine has only had oil and filters as far as the engine goes. The rest of it ... well ... what you'd expect, shocks, compressor, LCA, various other bits, steel pan conversion, wheel bearings ... and probably other things ... not bad really considering how it gets used.

I'm thinking of proactively changing some of the plastic bits when the coolant gets done in the not too distant. Mine has over the last two years occasionally misplaced very small quantities of coolant but have been unable to work out where its gone ... assume via one of the many excellent plastic fittings in the cooling system.

I'm also thinking of changing the plugs (I think it is pretty much due or overdue) and I plan to use NGK IFR5N10 or LR branded plugs which are these NGK's (I believe) whichever is cheapest.