Good Morning,

I'm a newbie here, although I have lurked about for the last 6 months since I bought my Land Rover Discovery (2004 4.0 V8 engine)

I've just received a phone call from Land Rover in Abu Dhabi (I currently work/live here). After the call I felt rather sick, just been told it could end up being a £4000 job!

Background: Driving back from Dubai I noticed battery light and the temp gauge dropped to bottom but red LED was glowing. Due to the humidity that night I thought the electrics were just playing up so I continued to drive (idiot I hear you say!). Eventually I was forced to pull over as I felt a power loss. When I stopped there was a lot of steam coming out of the engine bay. Upon observation, I noticed one of the hoses had popped off and the alternator belt had come off.

Land Rover dealer called to say they would need to replace alternator belt tensioner, Idler bearing, belt and radiator hose along with coolant just to get it started again. £400 pounds. Interstingly, when I bought the car I had it serviced and they recommended I get the belts changed. So I challenged him but he said that was 6 months ago and that the belt tensioner was jammed etc etc.

LR just callled me to say there is no compression and now they are looking at a big job. Firstly he advised that in order for them to understand the problem they need to remove the head (i think thats what he said) and there are certain parts he woulld need to replace even if work is not carried out + the labour charges which are 600 pounds. He said a worst case scenario is that I will pay something in the region of £4000 for it!

He recommended a new engine would be a better option, but being in the UAE I doubt there are many LR engines kicking about. He is getting a second opinion

Can someone help?

Take it to an independent garage; sounds like your belts broken, which has stopped the water pump, and your engine has cooked itself.

Possibly the head gasket, which will mean the head needs to come off, new gasket and head back on, not a difficult job, it might have caused more damage but if your lucky you will get away with a new HG. An indie should do it for less than the price landrover want for labour alone.

Thanks Discomania,

I think you're right, dealer carried out a compression test and cylinders 1,4,5,8 are at 120 psi and cylinders 2,3,6,7 are at 90 psi. Apparently they should be 150 psi

I just spoke to an indie, he can overhaul the head for around £430 labour + parts but needs the tool to get the timing done. Alternatively, if I supply him an engine he only charges £140 labour?!

Indie sounds like a MUCH better option, but how can I buy the tool and how much does it cost? I'm in London next week so I take it back with me if I move quick enough.

Thanks again for your help and support

D