Discovery 4 SDV6 Engine Knocking

[jp8000]

Hi

Before I re-mortgage the house and then contact Southport Land Rover, can anyone recommend a good independent shop that services land Rovers on Gold Coast?

The motor is a Disco 4 2013 3.0 SDV6 with 120km. Started making a knocking/tapping noise from engine yesterday. has always been regularly serviced by Southport Land Rover.

I am not shy of a little DIY and have experience of changing clutches etc. But one look at the service manual for this thing and unless it's something simple, I haven't got the toys to fix it. My cheap OBDII dongle and supercheap trolley jack aint gonna cut it :)

Anyway, trouble shooting so far. I noticed fan belt tensioner pulley bouncing around a fair bit(is this normal?). I disconected a few pipes as per YT vid and removed tension. pulley wheel has next to no play on bearing so not that I don't think.

Finally managed to find how to check the oil level(bonnet open, ignition on, push cruise control cancel button twice!!!) and was just above "min" added 1 litre of oil and now just under "max". Noise still there.

Took slow mo video and then slowed that down on VLC player. Tick is every 6th(V6 makes sense) and is every 2 rpm so in theory valve train or hopefully injector?

I can upload short video of sound if anyone is interested.

EDIT - I have attached both normal speed and slo mo videos to this post in case anyone knows what this sounds like .......

EDIT 2 - I attached another clip that unfortunately sounds very like these, or am I just being paranoid? -

Land Rover Discovery Sport engine knocking loud (rod bearing failure) - YouTube (https://youtu.be/J2ZzD4vrGRw)

Range rover sport 3.0l Tdv6 Engine Tapping Noise.. Any one got any ideas..? - YouTube (https://youtu.be/2lLSAXxWce8) (see 3rd comment, bugger!)

Cheers
John

[DiscoJeffster]

Your auxiliary belt tensioner had failed by the sounds of it, and is not uncommon. Change the static bearing at the same time. Best start there and see if that solves your tick.

[jp8000]

Hey, thanks for fast reply. So in normal operation the pulley shouldn't be bouncing around like it is? I will post a short snippit of video of pulley bouncing and the noise. Thanks.

[jp8000]

Hi, short video, thanks.180249

[John_D4]

I’m by no means an expert but that looks like it’s bouncing too much. Personally I’d change it out as:
1) be probably due for replacement anyway, and 2) it’ll be one of the cheapest ways to find out if it’s the source of your sound.

[jp8000]

Thanks John. Yeah I thought it looked a little too bouncy myself! I'll try and remove the tensioner and get a look at it off the engine. Now to figure out how to get the fan off without the "special tool". A steel bar with holes for small bolts and gap for centre or will that shear the small bolts! It looks like it might come off with a squeeze without removing fan, I might attempt that first :)

[BradC]

My fan came of with a crescent spanner on the fan nut and a couple of good whacks with a hammer. Just needed to break it loose and it spun right off. I've heard plenty of horror stories though.

[jp8000]

Thanks Brad, I'll see what I can managed tonight after work.

I have attached a slo mo video if that helps anyone pin point it. The sound does seem to be coming from the top end under oil filler tbh. And from the video you can see the loud "tap"(I'm trying to avoid the word knock!) is every six rhythms and 2 crank rotations. So on a 4 stroke that'll correspond to a lifter or injector maybe? if it's not the pulley. Cheers.

[BradC]

This is a "just in case" reminder, but left hand thread on the fan.

[jp8000]

Thanks Brad, I took note of that while watching one of the many YT Videos, all good.

[DiscoJeffster]

My fan came of with a crescent spanner on the fan nut and a couple of good whacks with a hammer. Just needed to break it loose and it spun right off. I've heard plenty of horror stories though.

I just crack it sharply on the side of the nut with a cold chisel and lump hammer and gets it every time. Same concept [emoji106]

[scarry]

Ricks 4WD centre Nerang is a good indie on the coast.
Nice honest guy who knows LR’s inside and out,and not rediculously expensive.

I wouldn’t go near a dealer.

Just my2 cents worth,hope it is all sorted shortly.

[jp8000]

Thanks mate, I'll pop into Rick's place and see what they can do for me, Nerang is 10 mins away.

I honestly think it sounds like a dodgy lifter in which case its lid off time [bigsad] what a mental design choice!


Cheers

[DiscoJeffster]

Thanks mate, I'll pop into Rick's place and see what they can do for me, Nerang is 10 mins away.

I honestly think it sounds like a dodgy lifter in which case its lid off time [bigsad] what a mental design choice!


Cheers

Well that’s practically an unheard of issue in these cars so I do suggest you seek out the above Indy.

[jp8000]

Yeah, I think it's probably wishful thinking tbh. I have added an extra clip to 1st post along with links to scarily similar YT vids that are bottom end problems. Either way it's going to be painful I think [bigsad] Thanks for info, I'm am a novice with Land Rover problems I'm afraid.

[scarry]

I'm am a novice with Land Rover problems I'm afraid.

It won't be long before you become an expert[bigsad][biggrin]

Lots of good info on here as well[smilebigeye]

[josh.huber]

Just take the belt off and run the engine, that'll tell you real fast, then you can spin everything isolated

[jp8000]

Hey, just tried removing belt. Fired it up and noise still there as well as charging system fault of course! If lifters aren't a common fault on these. The other suggestion floating around tinternet are injector(yet more wishful thinking!). Failing that I'd say the engine is cactus [bigsad]

Going to Rick's place shortly to show video. I assume it's not a good idea to driver it....

Cheers

[Tombie]

That idler / tensioner is moving no worse than the dozens ive seen.

Your issue lies in a lifter / injector more likely.

Have you got a reader, you need to check injectors.

[jp8000]

Hi Tombie, I only have a cheapy OBD2 from Jaycar and the freebie android app "Car Scanner". Checked the All Sensors page and can't see anything for individual injectors. What sensor/stats am i looking for? This thing has about 40 computers in it! [bigsmile]

As I said in previous posts I have very little experience playing with these new fangled machines. The last motor I stripped was a 998cc austin on my mini as a teenager in the early 90's I have only recently brushed off my "max power" magazines and started hacking my WRX STI mid life crisis car [bigsmile] ROM raider/ air pump deletes etc..

Cheers

P.S. There is no codes relating to fuel, a couple of inactive for air suspension but that's another story...

[jp8000]

Just popped into Rick's at Nerang and spoke to John. Very helpful guy, thanks for the recommendation Scarry.

He said last good theory is the injectors. I'm going to check they are all tight. Theory is if the injector is loose it might explain noise. Otherwise it's a faulty injector that is sticking open, I'm not sure how to check that though without proper diag tools.

I'll report back once that has been tried.......

Failing all of that, we're looking at a tow truck and a very expensive repair which might not even be worth the effort. What's the going rate for a low mileage (116km) 2013 D4 SDV6, full dealer service history, spares or repair!

[DiscoJeffster]

It could also be a failed injector copper seal and the noise is the engine cycle. You’ll find out soon as it’ll burn through something.

Try using a screwdriver on your ear on each injector/cylinder to find the noise, or a stethoscope if you have one.

[Discodicky]

In the event it is the damn crankshaft and you are contemplating selling the car 'as is' for virtually nothing, may I suggest you consider the following: Given the low k's and if you have full service history then (possibly via a Lawyer) you contact JRA to 'discuss'. There is plenty of anecdotal stuff on this Forum including the LR Service News (#SSM71816/72928) etc.

Failing that, given the low klms I am sure you would get away with a 'short' motor. If a push came to a shove you'd possibly get away with your pistons and rings if it is 'only' the crankshaft. If it were mine I wouldn't touch the cylinder heads. Get the turbos checked/cleaned to remove any swarf/debris etc, and not much else I can think of at the moment. Obviously the entire engine would be dismantled and cleaned in the process.

Automotive Skills at Kirrawee NSW are LR specialists and chaps on this Forum have used them for engine repairs/crankshaft issues and report favourably re their Service. I didn't notice what part of the Country you hail from.

So, what I am trying to say is don't get discouraged or talked into buying a $20,000 odd new complete engine assy as I am confident it would not be necessary at your klms.

FWITW my MY13 has 174,000 and in the event it developed a c/shaft problem I would not get the heads done even at that age. Considering there are several D4's on this Forum with well over 300,000 k's and going fine.

Good luck!

[Neil McPherson]

Hi

Before I re-mortgage the house and then contact Southport Land Rover, can anyone recommend a good independent shop that services land Rovers on Gold Coast?

The motor is a Disco 4 2013 3.0 SDV6 with 120km. Started making a knocking/tapping noise from engine yesterday. has always been regularly serviced by Southport Land Rover.

I am not shy of a little DIY and have experience of changing clutches etc. But one look at the service manual for this thing and unless it's something simple, I haven't got the toys to fix it. My cheap OBDII dongle and supercheap trolley jack aint gonna cut it :)

Anyway, trouble shooting so far. I noticed fan belt tensioner pulley bouncing around a fair bit(is this normal?). I disconected a few pipes as per YT vid and removed tension. pulley wheel has next to no play on bearing so not that I don't think.

Finally managed to find how to check the oil level(bonnet open, ignition on, push cruise control cancel button twice!!!) and was just above "min" added 1 litre of oil and now just under "max". Noise still there.

Took slow mo video and then slowed that down on VLC player. Tick is every 6th(V6 makes sense) and is every 2 rpm so in theory valve train or hopefully injector?

I can upload short video of sound if anyone is interested.

EDIT - I have attached both normal speed and slo mo videos to this post in case anyone knows what this sounds like .......

EDIT 2 - I attached another clip that unfortunately sounds very like these, or am I just being paranoid? -

Land Rover Discovery Sport engine knocking loud (rod bearing failure) - YouTube (https://youtu.be/J2ZzD4vrGRw)

Range rover sport 3.0l Tdv6 Engine Tapping Noise.. Any one got any ideas..? - YouTube (https://youtu.be/2lLSAXxWce8) (see 3rd comment, bugger!)

Cheers
John

The ONLY person worth talking to on the Gold Coast is Rick at Ricks 4WD Centre at Unit 1, 21 Lawrence Drive, Nerang (07) 5595 6662. Rick is a top mechanic and has been in business on the Gold Coast for many years. He knows everything worth knowing about Land Rover products. He should be your 'best friend' - he is mine!

Neil
2013 Discovery SDV6

[martinfrench]

Have you had a look at the oil filter for debris?

That should give you a good idea if anything catestrophic has happened in the lower end...

-Martin

[goldey]

As a survivor of the dreaded 'heavy knock, knock, knock, stop and crankshaft snappage', I can reliably say that given your low km and age vehicle (with the documented service history) I would definitely have a 'polite' conversation with LR Australia about coming to the table with a suitably cheap remediation option.

In our personal experience our Disco 4 SDV6 had a non-original engine replacement with dubious history prior to the 'explosion' and so we had very little recall to LR Australia on that basis short of dipping into our pockets to the order of 30-40k for the labour and replacement long engine. Given our Disco was a 2011 SDV6 HSE variant with approx 160k km (again not reliable km for the engine given the engine number difference from new to what was in the vehicle) we elected to pursue independent repair options. We hit gold with a low km SDV6 and attached auto box replacement (with the best ancillary bits across both engines) for the princely sum of $16k with a very adept independent LR mechanic in Sydney.

Hopefully you don't end up in a similar experience, but just know that we went through an extensive pros and cons list of junking the Disco with the boat anchor engine and a replacement suitable for 4wding and towing a van against repairing our Disco and continuing to live with it. Resultant was that we couldn't justify the additional cost of a Landcruiser or Patrol with more than double the kms with far less comfort.

All the best and send me a PM if you want any more info on options.

Goldey

[ATH]

This is a "just in case" reminder, but left hand thread on the fan. I can relate to that as I took 1 of our Defenders to a well known and recommended indy years ago for something or other (I'm getting forgetful.... :) ) and when I got it back I checked under the bonnet and there were bloody great gashes in the nut holding the fan on. You could see where a chisel had been used to try and force it off as if it was a right hand thread.
I immediately got back to these absolute turkeys and they fixed it with a new fan hub with a lot of bad attitude at being caught out.
It wasn't either of the 2 indys I've been using for some years now obviously.
AlanH.

[jp8000]

Hey, sorry got side tracked with work and have been trying to escape this saga for a bit. I managed to get a mobile tech out who hooked up a far better scanner than mine and still didn't find anything a miss. Injectors are all tight as well. What he did do, which I should have done before doing anything else, is open the bloody oil filler cap while it was running. The noise is nasty! If anyone wants to hear it I'll post a short clip.

So scenario right now looks like a major mechanical failure inside engine according to tech. His suggestion is to get it towed to Rick's at Nerang for them to confirm. In the meantime the old faithful backup car has had the spider webs and ants removed, tyres checked and battery connected. Fired up 1st time as usual, good old Hyundai Getz!

Thanks for all the info and recommendations so far. This forum is a gold mine of knowledge. Still trying to figure out what to do next. either way is rather expensive.

On a side note, I done some wikipedia'ing and found the "Ford" engine is also used in Jag's, Citroens, Peugot's etc.. Found this Jag with 65km on it, rip out the engine and sell for parts?? Clutching at straws now! [bigsmile]

carsales.com.au (https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2010-jaguar-xf-s-luxury-auto-my11/SSE-AD-12950936/?Cr=5)

I'll check the oil filter as well, thanks martinfrench.

Cheers

[loanrangie]

Hey, sorry got side tracked with work and have been trying to escape this saga for a bit. I managed to get a mobile tech out who hooked up a far better scanner than mine and still didn't find anything a miss. Injectors are all tight as well. What he did do, which I should have done before doing anything else, is open the bloody oil filler cap while it was running. The noise is nasty! If anyone wants to hear it I'll post a short clip.

So scenario right now looks like a major mechanical failure inside engine according to tech. His suggestion is to get it towed to Rick's at Nerang for them to confirm. In the meantime the old faithful backup car has had the spider webs and ants removed, tyres checked and battery connected. Fired up 1st time as usual, good old Hyundai Getz!

Thanks for all the info and recommendations so far. This forum is a gold mine of knowledge. Still trying to figure out what to do next. either way is rather expensive.

On a side note, I done some wikipedia'ing and found the "Ford" engine is also used in Jag's, Citroens, Peugot's etc.. Found this Jag with 65km on it, rip out the engine and sell for parts?? Clutching at straws now! [bigsmile]

carsales.com.au (https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2010-jaguar-xf-s-luxury-auto-my11/SSE-AD-12950936/?Cr=5)

I'll check the oil filter as well, thanks martinfrench.

CheersThe Jag engine has the same block and the other 2 are fwd application so can't be used.

[shack]

Found this Jag with 65km on it, rip out the engine and sell for parts?? Clutching at straws now! [bigsmile]

carsales.com.au (https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2010-jaguar-xf-s-luxury-auto-my11/SSE-AD-12950936/?Cr=5)



It's only me, but if I bought that Jag for parts, I would just end up owning another car!

I have a serious problem.....


Every time I buy a land Rover for parts, I end up buying more parts to fix the parts car.

[Boyley]

Hi Fossiker
Great thread, thanks.

My 2015 D4 (140k) has just developed the same noise....exactly.

What was the final problem?

Thanks....cheers Neil

[RANDLOVER]

.............
On a side note, I done some wikipedia'ing and found the "Ford" engine is also used in Jag's, Citroens, Peugot's etc.. Found this Jag with 65km on it, rip out the engine and sell for parts?? Clutching at straws now! [bigsmile]

carsales.com.au (https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2010-jaguar-xf-s-luxury-auto-my11/SSE-AD-12950936/?Cr=5)

I'll check the oil filter as well, thanks martinfrench.

Cheers

Surely it'd be easier to get a Ford Territory engine?

[RANDLOVER]

Hi Fossiker
Great thread, thanks.

My 2015 D4 (140k) has just developed the same noise....exactly.

What was the final problem?

Thanks....cheers Neil

We pro'ly won't hear from "Fossiker" as his last post was 12 Aug 2022.

[Boyley]

Be interesting for a lot of people I think. I've sent him a pm anyway

[sandylyons]

Interested in what the cause was - my D4 sounds the same and I'm stranded in another country waiting for garages to reopen after the holiday season