D3 V6 Petrol - timing chain failure - what next?

[cripesamighty]

Hi all,

I have a friend from work who has a coil sprung base model (S) 2006 V6 Petrol D3 that has just had the dreaded timing chain woes. He has been quoted between $6000-$8000 to repair the engine. His choice now is whether or not to repair it (timing belt & other issues), put in a lower Km 2nd hand engine, find another decent D3 for under $10k and add his mods to it, or just part it out and spend more $$ to lease another car through the buisiness.

His dilemma is that he has owned it for 8 years and has finally got the time to start going bush in it. He recently bought roof ralis and a roof rack, fitted a 270 awning, and custom built a rear draw system with bed on top. He only got one weekend trip out of it before it went belly up and he is gutted. Anyone know of a decent D3 for sale, or a low km engine? What are the collective thoughts of the pro's and cons of his choices - ie. head vs heart?

I will pass on any advice to him to maybe give him something to ruminate on. Thanks in advance.

[loanrangie]

I take it hes not able to remove the engine for a DIY repair ? If you are going to the trouble of replacing the engine then may as well replace the chains as it wont take much longer and cost a lot less.
Seen a few cheap TDV6 D3's for sale around the 12K mark.

[cripesamighty]

Unfortunately he is space limited at his rental so no chance of doing it at home. He is looking at D3's online though. Will just have to wait and see I guess.

[RANDLOVER]

It has 8 years of good ( I hope) history so I'd stick with it, instead of buying a possible can of worms.

[Globetrotter]

Why not rebuild the original unless it has damaged it to badly. There should be a few Cologne engines from Ford available.

There would have been some noise from the engine with a rattly chain.

[cripesamighty]

He told me it was driving normally and then it just started making noises all of a sudden. I have a funny feeling after talking to him today he may go for a new car through the business. Will just wait and see.

[ChookD2]

When mine started the death rattle (280,000ish Km), took to LR Indy, lots of sparkly bits in the oil. Given an estimate of $12500 to supply and fit secondhand engine (of unknown quality), more than the cars market value, even with the additions I had made. Got them to put a 50w oil in to quiet it down and traded in for $3000, after I took some stuff off it. Unfortunately, nobody wants these, particularly wholesalers.

[cripesamighty]

Yep, I daresay you are right Ray. He gave Jordan Rovertech a call and had a chat with them and they told him there are a LOT of D3 petrol V6's starting to come through.

[cripesamighty]

He needed a vehicle soonish, so talked to his accountant and he has leased a new Triton for a year. He has yet to decide what to do with the D3. He will either keep it to fix at his leisure, or sell it - as is, or part it out. His fiance may have some input into his decision...

[johnp38]

Land Rover Discovery Series 3 6 Speed AUTOMATIC 4D WAGON, 7 seats | Cars, Vans & Utes | Gumtree Australia Blue Mountains - Faulconbridge | 1333199469


Just rang up about this one and the owner spent an hour talking me out of it.

If it wasn't so far nearly 2900k return and needing 1500 in juice and trailer hire on top of purchase price I would have bought it regardless as a project car, I am more than capable of doing the repair, but the chains were done 8000k ago and rear has gone. He gave me a heads up on the parts costing alone so even though I was prepared for a bit of a save a little do a little by the time it all added up financially I might as well keep saving and buy a running one. Keen car man and had his costings down quite well.

Over the last 6 months I have seen a few petrols with timing chain issues for sale but this was the cleanest and lowest priced.

I can't chance on a diesel as I have zero financial capacity to afford a snapped crank or high pressure fuel pump issue.

Anyone in SA with a cheap dead D3 or know of one?