Thread: TDV6 crank and crank bearing failures

Originally Posted by Redphill

Hi Gregz, warranty finished over 2 years ago, so nil warranty. Mileage 149,000km.

Thanks Redphill, that is a relatively good outcome IMHO , and considerably anxiety-reducing. Happy motoring to you, sir

Originally Posted by jakeslouw

Hi all

Disco 3 owners in South Africa have started experiencing more and more crank breakage and crank bearing failures on the TDV6.

These seem to occur anywhere from new to out beyond 120,000kms

So I'd like to politely ask if any forumites here have had such a failure, whether you would post the following details:

- Disco 3/4 model
- manufacturing year
- mileage when failure occurred
- dealer services intervals Y/N and if no, how often on engine oil replacement
- If non standard engine oil spec, what oil and grade
- description of failure
- repaired under warranty or not
- response from LR if any
- anything else that can assist such as any oil additives, even diesel ppm

We're trying to build up a database of incidents world wide in order to try and determine a pattern or causal effect.

Thanks in advance.

2007 Discovery 3s.
Spun rear main bearing.
Well known fault in pre 2008 models.
I bought it cheap with the issue so unknown when and how it occurred.

Did this issue end with a particular year model?

Also. Has anyone had their bearings preemptively checked and what were the findings?

Originally Posted by Patio

Well the salesman will come to the party with helping to cover some of the cost , car at roving mechanical for engine replacement so I may get some use out of this vechicle in the near future. It leaves a very bad taste in ones mouth having to spend nearly half the value of a newish car within such a short space of time.

Not sure about NSW but in VIC there are mandatory warranties for cars bought from car dealers.

For the sake of extra space and comfort I would actually consider dropping $15k on an older D3 oiler in good nick - ie 2006 or thereabouts HSE or SE but the truth is that while the risk might not be huge, the potential costs if it spins a bearing bearing (and lets face it the idea that it was restricted to vehicles built before a certain times now looks wrong) or requires an auto box (or both...) are huge.

I have a low k 4.6 V8 in my D2 and it has an ARP head stud kit so should be sorted for 250,000k minimum. Even if it does not last that long a long motor top hatted and all nice is very cheap. Likewise my 5th gear in the R380 manual is getting a little noisy (350,000k) and a full reco by a reputable company with warranty is $2,400.... Unfortunately while I would put up with sorting out niggles, air compressors, even expensive lower control arms in a D3 that are worth as much as a gear box in my D2 the risk, whilst not great, is just too great to consider a D3. The costs of even a second hand 2.7 fitted would be huge and of course you would then have to flog it given the worries attached such motor.

It is such a shame because the D3 in theory as an older second hand vehicle would otherwise be attractive.

Cheers

I often wonder how many of these failures are due to bad servicing and re-mapping or chipping the engines for more power .

I dont think a second hand D3 is any more a punt than say a Tojo or simular these days , the price of everything now is off the planet anyway .
.

Originally Posted by Fatso

I often wonder how many of these failures are due to bad servicing and re-mapping or chipping the engines for more power .

I dont think a second hand D3 is any more a punt than say a Tojo or simular these days , the price of everything now is off the planet anyway .
.

From what I have read on this site and elsewhere they are stockers with proper servicing in the main. LR have recognised the problem but it is very hit and mis on any assistance out of warranty.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Fatso

I often wonder how many of these failures are due to bad servicing and re-mapping or chipping the engines for more power .

Remapping is not likely to be the cause - remember the 2.7 engine was designed as a twin turbo and was fitted as such in Jags with higher power and torque. The 2.7 engine as fitted in Land Rover was detuned so remapping might only bring it back up to twin turbo spec.

Originally Posted by ozscott

From what I have read on this site and elsewhere they are stockers with proper servicing in the main.

Actually it is the opposite - while there have been early failures and some with a full service history, most have been older engines and some with dodgy service history. Remember the broken cranks are a secondary symptom of the problem - they do not break just by themselves.

The issue is the spinning bigend bearing caused by excessive wear which seizes and grabs the crankshaft causing it to break. Now there have been some early examples on this happening and it is not sure why (dirt at manufacturer -unlikely - bad tolerences maybe) but most are a bit older - my take is that maybe poor oil selection/lack of oil changes leading to bearing wear and the shells loosening and spinning or just plain old age, ie normal wear and tear where the bearing wears enough to spin.

I think that if serviced correctly it is pot luck whether you have an issue but the chances in % of having an issue are pretty small - it is just that about every failure gets reported on forums like this so the issue gets lots of visibility.

Garry