I'm leaving, on a tilt-tray. Or, a report on Land Rover Assist

[Hugh Jars]

Well, we're two weeks into a 4 week holiday in our 1 year old Disco, and the "Oil Level Critically Low" message popped up today. I did the wait 10 mins and checked the level, which showed 'full'.

I phoned Pacific LR in Maroochy for advice, but they were less than helpful. I got the excuse of 'being in meetings' and 'being very busy, so I can't guarantee a timely callback'. The feeling I sensed was they only have one person in the Service Dept, and he does it all, from the phones to fixing....
So, I called LR Roadside Assist, who sent an RACQ patrol to us in the caravan park in which we're (reluctantly) staying. His opinion-faulty oil level sensor, considering I got none of the intervening cautions about adding oil, etc. His determination was a tilt-tray to a dealer to get it fixed.
LR Assist was aware of my phone call to Pacific, and said they would be happy to take it to Austral in Bris to get the work done. I agreed to this, although I have no experience with Austral's service dept.
I rang Austral and spoke to a service adviser, and he told me that oil can get past the sensor and into its harness. That's a harness replacement too, which can take a couple of days.

Can anyone elaborate on this? I've searched but it returns no result.

About 30 mins later, the operator called back saying that because the repair could take some time, they would be happy to transport the Disco and camper trailer home to Sydney to the dealer of my choice at their cost, and would either provide us with a similar vehicle to drive home or put us on a plane.
So, we chose the former as we have a lot of gear to get home.

So far, LR Assist has been outstanding in sorting out our problem. I hope it's a small problem.....

[Milton477]

What a way to end a holiday!
Hope they give you something decent for the trip home.
Sounds like we need a different way of checking the oil when the electronics fails.

[Graeme]

This fault is not unknown even if uncommon. Unfortunately driving it after a drain and refill to ensure it's full is risky.

[Hugh Jars]

At this stage they are sending a Disco Sport to drive home. We were heading out to Winton & Longreach etc via Carnarvon Gorge for the next couple of weeks. So much for that.
The RACQ bloke said the same about a secondary means of checking oil level.
Graeme, the bloke at Austral said much the same re it happening.

Just when I was getting used to 27 degree plus days in winter........

[discorevy]

Sounds like we need a different way of checking the oil when the electronics fails.


Something like a metal strap with full and low markings that slides through a tube into the sump, we could call it a dipstick ( named after those in the engine design department)

[Ferret]

Can anyone elaborate on this? I've searched but it returns no result.

I have the same problem I think. Fix was quoted at ~$1000 - $1200. For lack of a simple and fool proof dip stick.

Faulty Oil Level Sensor

(https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-and-4-a/150679-faulty-oil-level-sensor.html)

[DiscoMick]

2009-2014 Land Rover Discovery used car review (http://www.drive.com.au/new-car-reviews/the-dangers-of-buying-a-used-land-rover-discovery-64933.html)

[Hugh Jars]

Problem is confirmed as a faulty sensor. Dealer confirms front diff/sump off job, as there has been no oil leakage into the wiring loom.

Now the wait begins.......

[Ferret]

Been given a quote? How much if you don't mind saying.

[Graeme]

Underneath my 4.4TDV8 L322 doing an oil change today I spotted what appeared to be and have just confirmed is its oil level/temperature sensor. This thread came to mind.

[pprass]

Regarding Land Rover Road Side Assist - they are brilliant! They take the lead to help you out and make suggestions rather than you having to work out what is the best and then grovel for assistance.
Our experience when our car and caravan were towed from Coen in FNQ to Cairns a distance of about 580 kms over at times very rough roads - was totally stress free and we knew at all times exactly what was going to happen.

Sounds like your sensor issue has been tracked down and all will be repaired under warranty.

[Ferret]

... doing an oil change today I spotted what appeared to be and have just confirmed is its oil level/temperature sensor.

If it is just leaking oil and the sensor itself is undamaged it is possible to just replace the O ring in the housing where the wiring harness exits the sump without removal of other components.

Dealer did this for me, has cured the oil leak in my case but oil may have entered the wiring harness regardless.

[Graeme]

Mine's not leaking or faulty, only noting that the 4.4 TDV8's sensor is externally mounted so only an oil drain is required to allow the sensor to be changed.

[Hugh Jars]

Ferrett,
The car's under warranty, so it won't be costing me a penny :)

Ppras, I agree with your remarks with LR Assist. They offered me several options, but suggested that we get everything home (the more expensive option for them) so we could at least have options on doing other stuff on our holidays.

I'm usually the first to criticise dealers, but I must say that Concord Land Rover have been very communicative and helpful throughout this event.

[Ferret]

Ferrett, The car's under warranty, so it won't be costing me a penny :)

Ahh, should have read more closely.

Was involved in the last month or so with a D4 disabled in Birdsville (not mine). While it took LR Assist a bit of time to come on board due to some difficulties contacting them via satellite phone (something about satellite phones and problems calling 1800 numbers) when they did get involved they were extremely helpful.

Arranged transport of the D4 back to the Perth dealer and flights home to Perth from Birdsville (via Brisbane) at no cost to the owner.

EDIT: I should add that I believe they only state they will get you to the nearest dealer which would have been Adelaide in our case but instead made the offer of getting all the way to Perth.

[edddo]

Problem is confirmed as a faulty sensor. Dealer confirms front diff/sump off job, as there has been no oil leakage into the wiring loom.

Now the wait begins.......

Hard not to see this situation as just thougtless and impractical design.
No dip stick and over $1000 for fix and end of trip.....
Ffs, isnt that tech simply for the sake of tech?

[Hugh Jars]

Hard not to see this situation as just thougtless and impractical design.
No dip stick and over $1000 for fix and end of trip.....
Ffs, isnt that tech simply for the sake of tech?

Eddo, I'm tempted to fashion a dipstick from an old coat hanger and insert it through the drain tube. Once the car's fixed it will be easy enough to mark a full notch on the hanger, purely for reference purposes should this happen again. I can store it in my toolbox [biggrin]

Ferrett, they offered to fly us home too. I figured we might have to fly Tiger or Jetstar, so declined [bigsmile][bigsmile] But seriously, we had a freezer full of perishables etc as well as some bulky stuff we needed to get home....

[Zeros]

Land Rover assist is great, I've used them before. No hassles whatsoever and very helpful.
But...then you're vehicle is out of warranty and no more LR assist? What then?

RAC are ok, but not as good.

Has anyone convinced LR assist to continue their membership beyond warranty period?

[DI5CO]

I think it's included if you get it serviced at a dealer after warranty for maybe another 2 yrs or so. There was some paperwork I saw somewhere regarding this. I'm not at home so I can't check. I'm also not sure how long this has been offered for.
Dave

[LRD414]

You can also buy it once the warranty is over. I will be looking into it to see if it's as good as the conditions during warranty.

Scott

[scarry]

Hard not to see this situation as just thougtless and impractical design.
No dip stick and over $1000 for fix and end of trip.....
Ffs, isnt that tech simply for the sake of tech?

Mines fine,no problems with the dipstick,it works well,as they have for the last umm...100 plus yrs or so.

You would have to think what the f were they thinking?

[PerthDisco]

As times passes the younger the generation of engineers designing things becomes the more likely digital will over-rule analog as the preferred method.

I'm sure they would think what a crazy idea it is to have to a) exit the cab b) open the bonnet c) remove dipstick and find something to wipe it on.

Why do all that when you can just press a button.

[trout1105]

As times passes the younger the generation of engineers designing things becomes the more likely digital will over-rule analog as the preferred method.

I'm sure they would think what a crazy idea it is to have to a) exit the cab b) open the bonnet c) remove dipstick and find something to wipe it on.

Why do all that when you can just press a button.

It's all well and good to check the oil via a button But what about all the other things that should be checked under the bonnet "Before" the engine is started such as coolant level, power steering and brake fluid not to mention a myriad of other things that need to be given a "Once Over".
Maybe it's because LR has come to the conclusion that the majority of the people driving their cars are complete "Numpties" and wouldn't have a clue what they are looking for and more importantly what to do if they find a problem anyway [bigwhistle]

[DiscoJeffster]

It's all well and good to check the oil via a button But what about all the other things that should be checked under the bonnet "Before" the engine is started such as coolant level, power steering and brake fluid not to mention a myriad of other things that need to be given a "Once Over".
Maybe it's because LR has come to the conclusion that the majority of the people driving their cars are complete "Numpties" and wouldn't have a clue what they are looking for and more importantly what to do if they find a problem anyway [bigwhistle]

Hate to tell you, but coolant - has a low level sensor. Brakes, again, low fluid sensor. Power steering, not sure, but you get the idea. Brakes have had a fluid level indicator forever. I guess the real gripe is all of those allow you to manually verify that the sensor is working correctly whereas LRs dipstick-less oil level is a concern for the 0.001% of times they fail (or when you wish to manually check).
It would not have been hard to add a cable based level indicator into the extraction tube so one could argue it's an oversight.

[trout1105]

Hate to tell you, but coolant - has a low level sensor. Brakes, again, low fluid sensor. Power steering, not sure, but you get the idea.

That may be the case But usually by the time the "Idiot" lights come on the damage has already been done.
A visual check is always more accurate that relying on a light coming up on the dash and to not even give the driver the option of being able to check the oil via a dipstick is idiotic.

[cruiseh]

Mines fine,no problems with the dipstick,it works well,as they have for the last umm...100 plus yrs or so.

You would have to think what the f were they thinking?


Much like other euro's.. scare the owners into only using the dealerships to service. the lack of a logbook, plus these sort of idiosyncrasies scares smaller mechanics into not taking jobs like these on..

My friend is a factory BMW mechanic, he said lots of euro manufacturers have gone this way :(

[PerthDisco]

Bout time they have a special factory code only for opening the bonnet.

[DiscoMick]

I'm sure there are lots of people who never open the bonnet or check the tyre pressures in between services. My wife would be one of them. I discovered the other day she had been driving around with a flat tyre. When I checked it only had 6 pounds in it. "I thought it looked a bit low, but I was too busy to check it" she said. (Insert face-plant icon)

[scarry]

Hate to tell you, but coolant - has a low level sensor. Brakes, again, low fluid sensor. Power steering, not sure, but you get the idea. Brakes have had a fluid level indicator forever. I guess the real gripe is all of those allow you to manually verify that the sensor is working correctly whereas LRs dipstick-less oil level is a concern for the 0.001% of times they fail (or when you wish to manually check).
It would not have been hard to add a cable based level indicator into the extraction tube so one could argue it's an oversight.

Many vehicles for a number of years have had a low level engine oil light.This combined with a simple dipstick would be pretty idiot proof,one would think.

Then again maybe not for some.[bigsad]

[austastar]

Many vehicles for a number of years have had a low level engine oil light.This combined with a simple dipstick would be pretty idiot proof,one would think.


Hi,
Sister in law rocked up one day, the car reeking of hot, old oil.
I quizzed her on the oil light, but "It was not on all the time."

(headbang)

Cheers