fuel tank recall for Discos and Rangies

[shaunp]

All it seems the rest of the world have recalled Discos and Rangies to replace fuel tanks. Has any one got the letter below. I rang Southside LR in Brisbane and they claimed they knew nothing. NO suprize I guess. I reckon everyone should ring the local LR dealer and hassle them

IMPORTANT
DISCOVERY SERIES 1 1993MY TO 1998MY and RANGE ROVER CLASSIC 1993MY TO
1996MY - SAFETY RELATED CALL.

Subject : Petrol Fuel Tanks - A156

Dear Sir/Madam

Land Rover is undertaking a no-charge Safety Recall (Program Number A156) to
owners of 1993 to 1998 Model Year Discovery Series 1 and 1993 to 1996 Model
Year Range Rover Classic Vehicles.

Reason for this program
Investigations have determined that there is a possibility of cracks
appearing in the fuel tank in certain Discovery Series 1 and Range Rover
Classic models. You may experience a fuel odour from the vehicle and/or signs
of a fuel leak underneath the vehicle when filling with fuel.

What Landrover and the dealer will do
Land Rover is carrying out a voluntary recall of the vehicles mentioned
above. Land Rover Dealerships will replace the fuel tank with one of an
improved design on vehicles within the affected VIN range.

How long will it take?
The work will be carried out as quickly and efficiently as possible in order
to minimise inconvenience to customers and is expected to take approximately
two hours, although your dealer may need your vehicle longer due to service
scheduling requirements.

What we are asking you to do
Contact your preferred dealer without delay. Provide the dealer with your
Vehicle identification number (VIN) located at the beginning of this letter,
and vehicle registration number. Ask for a service date for safety Recall
Program A156. If you do not have a servicing dealer, please access
www.landrover.com <http://www.landrover.com> for dealer addresses, maps, and driving instructions.

When you bring your vehicle in , show the dealer this letter. If you
misplace this letter your dealer will still do the work , free of charge.

If you no longer own the vehicle we would be grateful if you will complete
the "change of ownership" slip attached to this letter, returning the slip
to Land Rover Immediately in the enclosed freepost envelope. This will
enable to make contact with the new Owner.

[seqfisho]

Hi Shaunp

So when did the letter go out?

Is it an Australian recall and has anyone got a letter yet? I supose the amount of original owners for S1 disco's and classics would be low.

Have you contacted LR directly?


Regards Glen.

[shaunp]

LR Aust at this point don't want to talk about, but the UK, US and Middle East seem to know about it and are getting letters. LR have my details becuase they keep sending me reminders for service, but I did buy my car 2nd hand from LR. BUt I don't have a letter. Dwane at MR is on the case.

[seqfisho]

Hi Shaunp

I bought mine 2nd hand from a dealer as well, it has to go back shortly because Im getting a clacking sound from the top front of the motor :?
MR have had a quick look and were unsure of the source of the sound, its not rev related and not a consitent rythm, Im suspecting a dodgy thermostat but the temp gauge never goes over half, it you can trust that :roll: and everything else is fine.
I would look at it myself but its still got its 3 month warranty so will get them to fix it.

Which reminds me I must ring them and book it in :idea:

Regards Glen.

[101RRS]

I am the original owner of a 94 series 1 update (the first batch sold) and I haven't heard from LR about this.

In fact never have heard from LR on any issue since the car went out of warranty - maybe it is because I made them rebuild the gearbox at 20,000km after a number of clutch failures in the first few thousand of kms - or was it the fact that the shockies failed without ever going offroad in the first few thousand kms or was it that the engine used to stop all by itself and it took them ages to work out the problem.

Maybe LR was glad to see the back of me so have never bothered to contact me!

Gazz

Disco 94 V8 (update)
Freelander TD

previously
Disco 94 V8 pre update
series 3 shorty
series 1 shorty

[sclarke]

Hey does this relate to Defenders???

i might be able to get a new tank.....

[adm333]

Good pick up ShaunP

I found this article from the UK

Land Rover issues recall
9 May 2005

Land Rover is recalling almost 19,000 early V8 Range Rovers and Discovery models to replace fuel tanks.

The action comes after a dealer in Japan noticed cracks in the plastic fuel tanks of the 4x4s.

Although there have been no reported accidents or injuries as a result of the potential defect, Land Rover has decided to recall vehicles worldwide.

It is writing to the owners of 18,991 Range Rover Classic V8 and Discovery Series I V8 models in this country with the offer of a free replacement fuel tank.

The cars were built between April 1993 and April 1998 and cover vehicle identification numbers from SALLHAMM3KA637653 to SALLHAMM3MA664120.


Mine falls within those VIN ranges.

Hmmm, I hope Southside have found out some more info, as they are about to get another call

[101RRS]

Just rang LR Customer Car - they do not know of this recall

[discowhite]

mine leaks when full. drips quite fast! i can always smell fuel too.
but mines plated 12/1992 ka037000 so i think i miss out!
im the 2nd owner of DW.

bugger!

[101RRS]

In view of adm333 post - I rang back LR Customer Care with the VIN numbers and my own car details - LR claims this does not apply to Australian Vehicles - I argued that Aust vehicles would have the same fuel tanks as UK vehicles and LR Aust positiion does not seem logical if vehicles are being recalled all over the world - LR Aust response - that might be so but it doesn't apply to Aust vehicles.

As Rove would say "What the ........"

Gazz

[shaunp]

The letter I posted was from Egypt so I think they are having a go at us. Dwane at MR has a contact in LR so he is going to see what he can find out.

[one_iota]

It is a registered recall notice with the Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTAR No. RO4/106)

http://dynamic.dotars.gov.au/recalls

Search for Land Rover Discovery.

Aparently it involves petrol engined Vehicles only and is as a result of the weld failing at the junction of the filler tube and the tank.

It also suggests that LR will fix the problem.

I would suggest that you bypass the dealer and go straight to LRA.

[101RRS]

Your right - the DOTARS sight has the recall - yet Landrover Australia Customer Care - today twice denied there was a recall.

I really do think this is unacceptable - I will e-mail Landrover to get a response and see what happens - will let you know.

[101RRS]

<span style="color:green">From the DOTARS site</span>


Vehicle Recall Search Results for LAND ROVER Discovery Series 1 (LJ), Range Rover Classic (LH)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Problem: Fuel tank leakage
Make: Land Rover
Model: Discovery Series 1 (LJ), Range Rover Classic (LH)
Variant: Petrol engine only
Date Range:
VIN Ranges:
Status: Active
Defect: The weld securing the tank vent to the fuel tank may crack.
Consequences: Fuel will leak from the vehicle.
Corrective action: Landrover dealers will rectify the leak.
Notif. Date: 30/08/2004
DOTARS No.: R04/106
Supplier Name: LAND ROVER
Campaign No.: D156

[b]Does anyone know what the (LJ) designate in the Discovery Series 1 description above eg Series 1 update, pre update or the whole lot?

[shaunp]

LJ is just the Land rover vin Prefix for a Disco. The year designator is in the middle of the vin just before the numbers,KA means 93 LA means 94 MA means 95 etc

[101RRS]

Thanks Shaunp and thanks to one_iota for the DOTARS site style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[one_iota]

Originally posted by garrycol
Thanks Shaunp and thanks to one_iota for the DOTARS site style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

No sweat style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

Surely LR and its representatives have a "duty of care": a concept well understood in the courts. :twisted:

[101RRS]

I sent a e-mail to LR Australia asking them to get back to me and either set us straight , ie we are all wrong or to explain why their Customer Care operators are giving out dud information.

If there is not a satisfactory response then maybe a whinge to the CEO, might be in order - if still no saisfactory response then a complaint to DOTARS and to the 4WD mags might be in order.

I would like to give LR the benefit of the doubt.

[Quiggers]

I think my 93 Disco V8 is a bit odd (we've discussed this before LOL), my VIN is

SALLJGML3KA059180

not

SALLHAMM etc

anyone know the decode?

Cheers, GQ

[Quiggers]

Add to last post: the notice is from April 93?

Mine's a UK june 93 and has this plate, another anomaly?

GQ

[shaunp]

It says it's a 93 Disco SAL LJ (LJ means disco ) GML3 (this is the car spec ie engine,box and number of doors), KA (KA means 93)

[Quiggers]

Thanks Shaunp, do you know the sub categories for GML3?

Cheers, GQ

[LRHybrid100]

according to the Calvin VIN page

yours is: http://www.clifton.nl/index.html?calvin.html

SAL Manufacturer code: Land Rover
LJ Model: Discovery, 200 Series (1989-1994) or 300 Series (1994-1998)
G Wheel base: 100 inch
M Body type: 4-door station wagon (LWB)
L Engine type: 3.5 litre injected petrol V8
3 Steering and transmission: Right-hand drive (RHD), 3-speed or 4-speed automatic
K Model year: 1993
A Assembly location: Solihull, UK
059180 Serial number

HTH

LRH

[101RRS]

I rang the Department of Transport this morning and spoke to the guy who actually runs the vehicle safety recalls - he confirmed that there is valid recall on what would appear to be all Disco 1s and Classic RR as no VIN numbers are listed on the recall notice.

Transport was horrified at what I said was LR Aust denial that it applied to Aust vehicles and the guy was going to contact LR Aust senior management to find out why no action had been taken on the recall.

Stay tuned

[101RRS]

I recieved a telephone call from John Lindsay who is LR Aust National Service Manager. He had just received a call from the Department of Transport re the recall.

The short answer - there is no recall as it does not apply to Australian vehicles - there is a service advisory (A 173) for dealers to check the tanks as vehicles come through for work.

The long answer - In August 2004 Landrover Aust became aware that there was an issue with fuel tanks leaking (3 vehicles) in some overseas countries. They are not sure what is causing the issue but the common factors have been 93/94 vehicles, that the leaks occurred early in the vehicles life, in areas of extreme temperature changes and in areas where there were diffrences in fuels used and quality.

As is required by law, LR Aust advised the Department of Transport (DOTARS) who posted the recall notice - the worst is assumed and any advice is normally posted as a recall until advised otherwise. After a service program by LR Aust no cases were found and in Jan 05 Landrover advised DOTARS that they didn't think there was a problem. Normally DOTARS would pull the 'recall' from their website but as LR were not positive in their letter to DOTARS the recall was left on the website. In due course DOTARS will downgrade the recall to 'closed' or 'inactive'

A real recall is going on in the UK and other countries but not Canada, Japan or North America - interestingly neither John Lindsay, DOTARS or myself cannot understand why the recall is not in Japan where one of the leaking tanks was found - also interestingly, if this has all occurred about 10 years ago - why is this issue getting milage in 2004/055 rather than in 1995 when it was first identified.

In summary - there is no recall but if you have a Series 1 Disco or a Classic RR you should ask your dealer about Service Advisory AD 173 - inspect fuel tank for leak!!

I also suggested to John Lindsay that he should have a word to his customer care staff as they were decidedly unhelpful in this whole process and created an air of deceit and confusion - a simple phone call should have resolved the issue first time around.

I hope this helps

Gazz

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Originally posted by Quiggers
I think my 93 Disco V8 is a bit odd (we've discussed this before LOL), my VIN is

SALLJGML3KA059180

not

SALLHAMM etc

anyone know the decode?

Cheers, GQ

Hey Quiggers,
mines plated April '93

and leaks bad just after topping up.

vin JGBL7-KA053531

it doesnt make the cut,,
but has a problem.

[shaunp]

I'd ring them. I wonder how many 10 year old Discos still get serviced by LR not many I don't reckon so their sample size of (we have checked the ones that come through the dealers and have seen no problems) would be sweet FA.
Pedro I'd quote the advise number and say I want a new one thanks.

As for not recalling Jap cars I doubt that there would be many left on the road, either crushed or exported for parts so no point, that where Murray at Jag and Rover gets his from.

[one_iota]

Originally posted by garrycol

I also suggested to John Lindsay that he should have a word to his customer care staff as they were decidedly unhelpful in this whole process and created an air of deceit and confusion - a simple phone call should have resolved the issue first time around.
Gazz

That is an excellent piece of direct action.

Well done Gazz.

The rub is that those with a problem in this regard will probably have to pay for the fix as it is now an advisory notice much like the dreaded timing belt issue for the 300 tdi.

Never-the-less John Lindsay needs to spread the word to those who sell Land Rovers and appear to suffer from selective memory loss when it comes to providing service. I would think that the first time buyer of Land Rover will probably buy another next time round.

[Quiggers]

Thank you for the code informaton. I appreciate your diligence.

Now I have a bizarre coincidence.

I filled at Lismore today, no further than the first click. 73 litres for 471 kilometres.

While I was forking out vast quantities of folding the attendant asked me if it always dropped buckets of fuel after filling? No! To my absolute shock, it was dribbling, and for about a minute. He was concerned enough to head for the fire extinguisher...

I was wondering why I'd been smelling petrol lately...having had the fuel pump out a while back I rechecked this installation several weeks ago and there's no leaks there...

So, as I have so much time on my hands (NOT) I'm going to have to go fault finding again, or is this related to this discussion?

Thanks for all this info guys...
GQ

[LRHybrid100]

hey GQ - does your Disco have an expansion tank in the body panel above the fuel tank (rear quarter)?

If so, check the connections to this tank - as my RR has the expansion tank and found that when I filled up the tank would leak.

I later found that the small hoses that ran from the fuel tank breather to the expansion tank had rotted away 8O and was letting fuel spill out after filling - maybe worth a look?

HTH

LRH

[Quiggers]

And another thing, mine's not going anywhere near a LR dealer. Had one under warranty years ago and that was a nightmare. And the local mob don't know what brake pads are or what heater hoses do. My eight yo knows more than they do. Grrrr. So, obviously, I, like many others won't hear from any dealer about this or any other LR issue.

Thanks for this board gentlemen, true communication.

Which reminds of the day my then new 95 Rossignol was supposed to be ready, what a mess, $50gs and it looked like it fell of the back of a truck.
Then they tried to get me for a hundred bucks for the 1,000k oil change.

Hahahahahaha...they're probably still waiting.

Dealers.....