Sudden oil loss on 2017 Land rover Discovery 2.0

Sudden oil loss on 2017 Land rover Discovery 2.0

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woodlands

Original Poster:

202 posts

260 months

Wednesday 23rd October 2019
quotequote all
I was driving on the motorway and my car alerted me that my engine oil was critically low.

I pulled off very quickly and by the time I had stopped, safely, there was a dull drone coming from the engine.

since the car was covered by LR warranty, it was recovered etc, but the LR dealership have told me that the inspection bund on the timing cover had come out and this was the reason for the oil loss.

Is anybody else aware of this?
LR Dealership is telling me they have had it happen a few times, but having rung around, I am not getting the same story elsewhere.

I suspect the dealership are trying to avoid an engine replacement, as I suspect a lot of damage due to the extent of the oil loss.

Has anybody else heard of this happening on similar model cars?

Is my suspicion that substantial engine damage has occurred, reasonable?

Any advice on how best to proceed. LR have just told me the car is ready for collection, but I am obviously concerned.

anonymous-user

61 months

Wednesday 23rd October 2019
quotequote all
Was it just oil low level or low pressure?

woodlands

Original Poster:

202 posts

260 months

Wednesday 23rd October 2019
quotequote all
The car lost ALL its oil, apparently through the inspection hold that was left.
When it happened, I was 1 mile from a services, and I pulled into the petrol station. That was when I spotted all the oil under the car.
I added 3 litres of oil, and it just touched the bottom of the dip stick, so I think it's fair to say it had zero oil pressure, due to zero oil.

anonymous-user

61 months

Thursday 24th October 2019
quotequote all
Did it flag low oil pressure? Yes or no.
If not, there was still some oil getting around, sufficient to keep things moving it would seem.
Where’s is the aforementioned inspection bung in relation to the sump?

woodlands

Original Poster:

202 posts

260 months

Thursday 24th October 2019
quotequote all
I genuinely cant remember the exact message, other than a big red warning about oil level, could have been oil pressure, but I kind of focussed on getting off the motorway as quickly as possible. Sorry for not being much help.

I'm obviously hoping that there was something left in the sump.

I also don't know where the inspection bung was, but from the cleanliness of the engine bay, I can only assume towards the rear of the engine, as the AA recovery guy commented that it must be low and towards the rear.

Apologies for being a bit of a chocolate teapot on the information stakes

anonymous-user

61 months

Thursday 24th October 2019
quotequote all
laugh
Apology not needed.
If it was a big red warning it was probably oil pressure and not oil level.
In very basic terms, anything red is bad.
As for how much damage has been done....very hard to say. Possibly none, potentially lots.
(Sorry. boxedin)

swisstoni

18,127 posts

286 months

Thursday 24th October 2019
quotequote all
Magic words -> LR Warranty.

They are used to all sorts of mechanical carnage, those boys. hehe

When you get it back, just make sure it’s running perfectly.

anonymous-user

61 months

Friday 25th October 2019
quotequote all
swisstoni said:
Magic words -> LR Warranty.
That’s great except the OP has said his dealer reckons it’s fine.
They’ll do what they think it needs, not what the customer thinks it needs and a precautionary engine change because it “might” have longer-term damage caused by oil starvation is a big outlay.
It’ll have to show signs of failure a bit more I reckon.

Crumpet

4,059 posts

187 months

Friday 25th October 2019
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Worth getting it in writing from LR that the reason for the oil loss was the inspection bung coming out?

Any problems in the future that may arise with the engine and they may just say you’ve been running it with low oil (and therefore say it’s your fault). I’d want proof that it was a mechanical failure that dumped all the oil to cover myself.

Oh, and 2.0 petrol or diesel?

woodlands

Original Poster:

202 posts

260 months

Friday 25th October 2019
quotequote all
Thanks for the guidance.
I've told LR that I want the results of their test drive. I also want a statement from their engineer to say that the bung was the reason for the loss of oil. I have also told them I want something in writing to indicate that they did not detect any mechanical damage during their subsequent tests.

The LR dealership told me that they have had a number of cars come in with that, but they were surprised when I told them I have spoken with a few other dealers and they have never seen the problem.

I have booked it into another dealer for a detailed analysis and investigation, so the current LR Dealer know their work will be assessed by another dealer, so they know I am on the hunt.

I have asked for a printout of the fault codes, and to have everything in writing.

If they prefer emails, I will have the email conversation with them, before I accept the car.

Apparently they put the car through three tests and they are comfortable that no damage has occurred, but in all honesty, thats up there with asking turkeys to vote for christmas.

Apparently the dealership have 24 LR cars recovered at the moment, so they are definitely familiar with problems.

anonymous-user

61 months

Friday 25th October 2019
quotequote all
woodlands said:
Thanks for the guidance.
I've told LR that I want the results of their test drive. I also want a statement from their engineer to say that the bung was the reason for the loss of oil. I have also told them I want something in writing to indicate that they did not detect any mechanical damage during their subsequent tests.
I suspect that’s the best you’ll get for now.
Ultimately, if they can’t find anything wrong they can’t really fix anything.

Sheepshanks

34,941 posts

126 months

Friday 25th October 2019
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woodlands said:
The LR dealership told me that they have had a number of cars come in with that, but they were surprised when I told them I have spoken with a few other dealers and they have never seen the problem.
......

Apparently the dealership have 24 LR cars recovered at the moment, so they are definitely familiar with problems.
I'm surprised someone at the dealership is telling you stuff like this. It's standard practice to say "never heard of that happening before" when presented with any fault. Show evidence from marque specific forums and they'll dismiss it.


In your case, what are your plans for the car? If you're going to swap it at 3yrs then it doesn't really matter. If you're going to keep it, would you extend the warranty?

woodlands

Original Poster:

202 posts

260 months

Saturday 26th October 2019
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At this stage, I'll keep the car for a bit, and see how things go over the next few months, but basically until after the winter season, when the 4-wheels drive may come in handy.

After that, probably change to something else where Quality and service actually matter.

Davel

8,982 posts

265 months

Thursday 13th February 2020
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Just come across this thread and the same has just happened to me.

Got home on Monday afternoon and the oil dropped out of the engine.

Took it to a garage mins away and they couldn't find where the leak was but it was bad.

No warning lights at all but rang the dealer and there was a delay in getting it in, so called Land Rover Assist who came out to my home.

Told not to start the engine and the car would be recovered, so now driving round in an Evoque, which isn't a bad little motor to be honest.

Whilst Assist were at my home a big red warning triangle suddenly appeared on the dash, I assume as the last of the oil fell out.

Neither the garage nor the Assist guy could tell where it was coming from.

Pretty impressed with the service so far but the car has only done 11,000 miles - so waiting to hear what they find.

It's a 2017 HSE model.

Apparently a new engine back plate has been ordered.. Might the engine be compromised now ?

Edited by Davel on Thursday 13th February 10:34


Edited by Davel on Saturday 15th February 15:09

Davel

8,982 posts

265 months

Saturday 15th February 2020
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Any advice anyone please?

swisstoni

18,127 posts

286 months

Saturday 15th February 2020
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Have a look at LR owners forums. They should show up in any internet search.

It’s been the best way I’ve found to research issues with cars to see if my problem was just one of those things or a common issue that the manufacturer is hoping to keep a lid on.

The American ones seem particularly good for this sort of thing.