I've had the report (and invoice) back from the current workshop.
"Sniffer test failed. Vehicle producing white smoke on start up. Suspect water is getting into cylinder.
Possibly head gaskets or warped heads causing the issue. Cooling system is over pressurising and
around four seperate leaks are present. Advise our repairs are not guaranteed and customer drives
the vehicle away at his own risk."
Far from having my wallet raped, considering the extra hours that've been spent trying to rectify the
faults as far as possible (for example the LPG vaporiser coolant feed has been bypassed -- system disabled by removing fuse) the bill for changing out the electrical 110º thermostat for the mechanical 88º one, and changing out two hoses (one a heater hose difficult to access) has come to £300 including the two new hoses, including the VAT.
No charge for the Murraymints
At some point one has to trust a specialist workshop -- the mechanics there do seem to be serious in their work, so given that the immobiliser / steering column lock problems that plague L322 have been sorted, battery discharge problems sorted, air compressor rebuilt, got an 11-month MOT, tyres with 4k only on them, and it's a fully loaded Vogue with sunroof, orginal 'phone, Bose speakers, leather, suspension and control arms all done, and otherwise clean body have asked them whether in their contacts they know of a replacement M62 engine (with or without gearbox) kicking about specialist breakers.
I will give a merit card to this workshop even though their stock in trade appears to be the high end of the marque.
Y'know them. They have silly names on their bonnet: Overfinch, or have a Ű ostentatiously showing. Matt kept me abrest of what was going on even though he didn't know of the thermostat kludge!
RCV (Roberts Country Vehicles (Nationwide) Ltd
Waterside Garage, Bainbridges Road
East Peckham, Kent TN12 5HH
01632 873 000
email:
info@rcv.co.uk
www.rcv.co.uk
I don't know whether engine changeout will cause issues with ECU security not being matched to the car's IMMO system.
It'd have to be a lump that's still in a doner vehicle soas to run it up to check not buying another duff lump. Guess that changing for a P38 engine or sommat would be nigh on impossible coz of the configuration changes?
I'm not a Range Rover expert.
The alternative is heads off and skim -- for which a workshop in the midlands had quoted me a max figure (without checking yet the per cylinder compressions) of £3,500
Wot's it worth now? Nuffink
Wot's it worth all done? £6 to £7k
Wot's it stand me in now? About £3k inc. purchase
... Yewowwww!