Thread: D3 turbo leak issue questions

I thought that would be a body off job rather than gearbox out, but according to the post I've seen on that issue on Disco3: DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - Replacing turbo bypass pipe.

It can be done with body on and box in place.

Hi Dave,
Yep according to the landrover handbook apparently you were correct, it was a body off job. I was just talking to TRS in SA and I leant 2 things. Yep as per your link it can be done gearbox in and body on. Also the the most common reason for this pipe to start leaking is from a bracket that the pipe is mounted to not being replaced to secure the pipe against vibration, fatigue and cracking. However the best part was the part from TRS, new is $900 VS the $1750 I was quoted here in the inexpensive city of Peth..
Regards
Brian

Whoa!

$850 saving with a simple phone call. I like those kind of phone calls!

Damn that is not cheap, how did you know it had developed a leak?

Hi All,
A quick but I believe important update. The crossover pipe that required replacing had nearly severed by the time it was replaced. TRS guys, who have now replaced several of these, informed me that the common link with all the cracked crossover pipes is they had all had the gearbox removed previously and when reinstalled one of the 3 brackets that stabilise the pipe was left off. Unfortunately this bracket is at the 12 o'clock position above the gearbox and is almost impossible to see after the gearbox is installed. Without this bracket it could take up to 18 months for the pipe to crack but it will eventually crack. In my case it was only 4 months and 15 000k's.
So in short if you ever had or get your gearbox out and reinstalled it's worth going to the trouble to sight these brackets yourself, at somewhere between $2500-$5000 to replace it'll be worth the effort.
Hmm maybe not quick update after all
regards
Brian

Originally Posted by rb30gtr

Damn that is not cheap, how did you know it had developed a leak?

Hi RB, there is few things that were a give away. There was a distinct drop in power, lots of black smoke when accelerating and once the crack was large enough you can actually hear the exhaust fumes escaping when standing next to the car with the drivers door open and accelerating. Once you get that far, simply remove the transmission guard and look up and everything on the drivers side of the transmission is covered in black soot.
PS, sorry about the delay in replying, I must have missed your question.

Hi All,
Now on a further note, after the repair was done, I approached the company that did the transmission rebuild and began discussions about being compensated for the cost of the repair. At this stage we're still in negotiations however my gut feeling is that the owner won't ever accept responsibility. So my question is, has anyone ever had occasion to approach a mechanical workshop for compensation for faulty workmanship and if , as I suspect this guy will, they deny any liability, what options is there available to take the matter further? Any help would be appreciated.
regards
Brian

Just to correct this post. There are only two brackets on the cross over pipe and they are not that difficult to get to if you have the exhaust system off.



We had a new transmission put in about 15,000km ago , and suspect the moving the old brittle pipe up and out of the way to get the transmission back in will hasten it's demise.

Originally Posted by NomadicD3

Hi All,
A quick but I believe important update. The crossover pipe that required replacing had nearly severed by the time it was replaced. TRS guys, who have now replaced several of these, informed me that the common link with all the cracked crossover pipes is they had all had the gearbox removed previously and when reinstalled one of the 3 brackets that stabilise the pipe was left off. Unfortunately this bracket is at the 12 o'clock position above the gearbox and is almost impossible to see after the gearbox is installed. Without this bracket it could take up to 18 months for the pipe to crack but it will eventually crack. In my case it was only 4 months and 15 000k's.
So in short if you ever had or get your gearbox out and reinstalled it's worth going to the trouble to sight these brackets yourself, at somewhere between $2500-$5000 to replace it'll be worth the effort.
Hmm maybe not quick update after all
regards
Brian

Originally Posted by Iain_B

Just to correct this post. There are only two brackets on the cross over pipe and they are not that difficult to get to if you have the exhaust system off.



We had a new transmission put in about 15,000km ago , and suspect the moving the old brittle pipe up and out of the way to get the transmission back in will hasten it's demise.

What about just to check the brackets/pipe. Can you get a good enough view with just the transmission plate removed? I only ask because that's about my limit physical work wise atm. For the next couple of weeks atleast.