Members have done that at home, nothing beyond having some basic tools, the parts and time. I did this on my 04 years ago, I think it took 8ish hours straight through and 300ish in parts.Hello friends,
I've enjoyed my RR very much, still a classy vehicle even though its almost 11 years old. I'm a decent good DIY er and have done valve cover gaskets, spark plugs, PCV, Alternator, drive belt, various filters and similar maintenance over the past two years of ownership. Currently at 142K mi.
Just completed a 900+ mi road trip to and back from Arkansas and have new, significant issues diagnosed by a trustworthy Land Rover only shop here in Dallas as "The valley gasket and the timing cover both need to be resealed". All this falls under $5k to complete within the next 10 days if I ok it. Attached is the work order.
Honestly, kind of mad at the rover. My 4x4 Eddie Bauer Ford Excursion has literally only had oil changes, brakes and tires and has just 10k less miles than the Rover.
The Rover is in great shape, interior and exterior, all onboard electric functions operate properly - still in really fantastic condition.
?
What would you do in my shoes? Cut losses and sell it (maybe worth 10-12k)? bite the bullet and repair it (leery of this as no suspension work has been done, tans or drivetrain work to speak of and those repairs run 3-5K, too)? Live with it ( just top off every couple of months, deal with a bit of burning oil)?
I guess technically all jobs could be done by ones self but this seems just of of reach of a DIY...
Input here is much appreciated.
Decisions, Decisions please help (2004 RR HSE)
Hello friends,
I've enjoyed my RR very much, still a classy vehicle even though its almost 11 years old. I'm a decent good DIY er and have done valve cover gaskets, spark plugs, PCV, Alternator, drive belt, various filters and similar maintenance over the past two years of ownership. Currently at 142K mi.
Just completed a 900+ mi road trip to and back from Arkansas and have new, significant issues diagnosed by a trustworthy Land Rover only shop here in Dallas as "The valley gasket and the timing cover both need to be resealed". All this falls under $5k to complete within the next 10 days if I ok it. Attached is the work order.
Honestly, kind of mad at the rover. My 4x4 Eddie Bauer Ford Excursion has literally only had oil changes, brakes and tires and has just 10k less miles than the Rover.
The Rover is in great shape, interior and exterior, all onboard electric functions operate properly - still in really fantastic condition.
?
What would you do in my shoes? Cut losses and sell it (maybe worth 10-12k)? bite the bullet and repair it (leery of this as no suspension work has been done, tans or drivetrain work to speak of and those repairs run 3-5K, too)? Live with it ( just top off every couple of months, deal with a bit of burning oil)?
I guess technically all jobs could be done by ones self but this seems just of of reach of a DIY...
Input here is much appreciated.
I've enjoyed my RR very much, still a classy vehicle even though its almost 11 years old. I'm a decent good DIY er and have done valve cover gaskets, spark plugs, PCV, Alternator, drive belt, various filters and similar maintenance over the past two years of ownership. Currently at 142K mi.
Just completed a 900+ mi road trip to and back from Arkansas and have new, significant issues diagnosed by a trustworthy Land Rover only shop here in Dallas as "The valley gasket and the timing cover both need to be resealed". All this falls under $5k to complete within the next 10 days if I ok it. Attached is the work order.
Honestly, kind of mad at the rover. My 4x4 Eddie Bauer Ford Excursion has literally only had oil changes, brakes and tires and has just 10k less miles than the Rover.
The Rover is in great shape, interior and exterior, all onboard electric functions operate properly - still in really fantastic condition.
?
What would you do in my shoes? Cut losses and sell it (maybe worth 10-12k)? bite the bullet and repair it (leery of this as no suspension work has been done, tans or drivetrain work to speak of and those repairs run 3-5K, too)? Live with it ( just top off every couple of months, deal with a bit of burning oil)?
I guess technically all jobs could be done by ones self but this seems just of of reach of a DIY...
Input here is much appreciated.
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Members have done that at home, nothing beyond having some basic tools, the parts and time. I did this on my 04 years ago, I think it took 8ish hours straight through and 300ish in parts.
You'd be lucky to get 10K up here for a first gen rig... very lucky. The decision is a difference between sentimental value and real value. Real value would say since you are paying someone else for labour you may as well ditch it and buy something else. If you want to get your hands dirty then it might be worth keeping.
I reviewed more closely the work order and it doesn't look like the timing chain or timing chain guides are included. Am I correct? Following lots of steps and replacing a gasket I can do - but I was told this work order is a 30 hour job with special tools for timing chain vanos etc.
8 hours sounds much more reasonable and if this is like valve covers, just more steps/removing more pieces, I can certainly see myself doing it.
8 hours sounds much more reasonable and if this is like valve covers, just more steps/removing more pieces, I can certainly see myself doing it.
Ok since the issue is not 'pending failure' just seeping gaskets VS hose about to burst etc I will be bringing it home and replace the valley pan gasket as that is leaking the most and replace the front timing chain cover later. I'll keep an eye on the oil drip (very slow, usually doesn't even drip over night, just coolant) and tackle that down the road.
Does that sound like a good plan to you guys? I should be able to replace the intake/valley pan gaskets for under $100 + my time and stop the leak, right?
Does that sound like a good plan to you guys? I should be able to replace the intake/valley pan gaskets for under $100 + my time and stop the leak, right?
That quote is just outrageous. I realize you trust that LR mechanic but does it really cost over $3k to replace timing cover seals? I agree, If you can do the work yourself you would save a ton of cash. Keep an eye on the oil levels. I usually check my oil at least every other day cause i am either "in" or "underneath" my truck frequently. I also have leaky timing covers and t seems it has gotten worse. I had to add almost a quart of oil yesterday and I just had an oil change about a month ago. I am heading out to get some quotes this week.
When I bought my truck the first thing I did was the pcv, valvecover gaskets, and upper timing chain gaskets. I also did the vanos solenoid seals while I was in there. I say DIY. It wasn't THAT bad.
Advice:
Replace the PCV valve and associated hoses if they are old/collapsed/soggy.
Remove the ducting to the cabin filter/cowling.
Replace the non return valves while you're in there.
Throw a new cam chain tensioner in there as well (has to come out anyway, passenger side).
Advice:
Replace the PCV valve and associated hoses if they are old/collapsed/soggy.
Remove the ducting to the cabin filter/cowling.
Replace the non return valves while you're in there.
Throw a new cam chain tensioner in there as well (has to come out anyway, passenger side).
Hey Ddillenger, I've done everything on your list save the non return valves - when I do this job I'll be replacing the whole solenoid since they're under $150 ea and I already am 'saving' so much by doing it myself. I'd rather rebuild it all than save some now and have to open it all up again in 10k mi.
QUESTION: Do you know if I can replace the timing chain and guide rails without special tools? (trying to find this info in rave) I mean it only makes sense if everything's that torn apart.
QUESTION: Do you know if I can replace the timing chain and guide rails without special tools? (trying to find this info in rave) I mean it only makes sense if everything's that torn apart.
Are you doing the LOWER timing chain cover gasket, or just the uppers? I did the uppers. You can do the guides without any special tools, I saw a DIY on a BMW. He held the chains in place using zip ties. Do some googling!
The NRV's sit behind the solenoids, so replacing the solenoids is a different process.
The NRV's sit behind the solenoids, so replacing the solenoids is a different process.
I've done upper timing covers and cam shaft solenoid seals, not too hard to do with the fan off.
The valley pan gasket doesn't sound hard from what I've read.
Did your mech specify the upper or lower covers?
I haven't heard of leaks from the lower cover gaskets,
The valley pan gasket doesn't sound hard from what I've read.
Did your mech specify the upper or lower covers?
I haven't heard of leaks from the lower cover gaskets,
Dillinger, did you do the chain guides without removing the lower covers?Are you doing the LOWER timing chain cover gasket, or just the uppers? I did the uppers. You can do the guides without any special tools, I saw a DIY on a BMW. He held the chains in place using zip ties. Do some googling!
The NRV's sit behind the solenoids, so replacing the solenoids is a different process.
I didn't do my chain guides, just the stuff I listed above 
I have done a few timing chain and guide replacements and definitely would not recommend trying without the special tools. Anything is possible but I think you will be creating big problems for yourself if you try this.Are you doing the LOWER timing chain cover gasket, or just the uppers? I did the uppers. You can do the guides without any special tools, I saw a DIY on a BMW. He held the chains in place using zip ties. Do some googling!
The NRV's sit behind the solenoids, so replacing the solenoids is a different process.
Thanks for the input here everyone.
I don't know which covers. The work order and email are fairly vague. I believe it is the upper timing chain covers. For $3,800. If I could type numbers in caps, I would here: $3,800 :shock:.
I'll be doing the valley pan gasket and replacing the vanos solenoids AND NRV's. I also did the timing chain tensioner too.
Anything I should replace for good measure while I'm in there?? Recommendations to clean fuel injectors?
Just have fingers crosses for the timing covers that it won't quickly accelerate to a worse leak, just a super slow drip. I only add about .75qt between 7k mi oil changes. Oil pan gasket also leaks some (replacing next oil change, not sure how much that attributes to the loss of oil)
When it does come time to do timing covers, thinking that will have to be done by the pros, I guess, and replace the chain, guides, and gaskets. At least with all that work done I'll be leak and rattle free at last! Or did I just jinks myself..
I don't know which covers. The work order and email are fairly vague. I believe it is the upper timing chain covers. For $3,800. If I could type numbers in caps, I would here: $3,800 :shock:.
I'll be doing the valley pan gasket and replacing the vanos solenoids AND NRV's. I also did the timing chain tensioner too.
Anything I should replace for good measure while I'm in there?? Recommendations to clean fuel injectors?
Just have fingers crosses for the timing covers that it won't quickly accelerate to a worse leak, just a super slow drip. I only add about .75qt between 7k mi oil changes. Oil pan gasket also leaks some (replacing next oil change, not sure how much that attributes to the loss of oil)
When it does come time to do timing covers, thinking that will have to be done by the pros, I guess, and replace the chain, guides, and gaskets. At least with all that work done I'll be leak and rattle free at last! Or did I just jinks myself..
I have an 04 RR-HSE and today was the 1st time in a year that I own this truck that I went to the dealer for a cat warranty which is 200 miles over the warranty. They quoted me just to diagnose it 2 hrs @ $140.00. A few weeks ago I had the fuel pump changed by my trustworthy mechanic for $240.00 parts not included, I sourced the part at half the price of the dealer and saved lots of $$.Ok since the issue is not 'pending failure' just seeping gaskets VS hose about to burst etc I will be bringing it home and replace the valley pan gasket as that is leaking the most and replace the front timing chain cover later. I'll keep an eye on the oil drip (very slow, usually doesn't even drip over night, just coolant) and tackle that down the road.
Does that sound like a good plan to you guys? I should be able to replace the intake/valley pan gaskets for under $100 + my time and stop the leak, right?
I suggest that if you love your truck and it seems you do, that you bite the bullet and DIY or get a trustworthy mechanic that is not going to rape you as LR will $5000.00 are you kidding me? I changed the valley gasket on my AC Cobra 427 side oiler in less than 4 hrs and paid $50.00 for parts.
LR is not making money in selling cars but in servicing cars. You know that they know that if you can afford a RR you can afford the cost of repairs, but that is armed robbery.
I hope that you keep your truck.
Regards
Lou
Thanks for the reply, Lou. I totally get your thoughts here. But that $5k quote for the valley and timing gaskets was from a trusted indy mech - not LR.
The more I think about it I will probably do it all myself within the next few weeks. I don't mind spending good money for quality repairs but IMO $5K for this job is like you said, armed robbery.
The more I think about it I will probably do it all myself within the next few weeks. I don't mind spending good money for quality repairs but IMO $5K for this job is like you said, armed robbery.
At your mileage I would seriously consider having the timing chain guides and timing chain done. Like most here, I spent a lot of time and money on my RR. The thing ran perfectly, had no leaks of any kind. Then the timing chain guides broke with virtually no warning. I finally threw in the towel after that.
I say sell it and pick up a 06+ or newer and save yourself future headaches. ive had a 05 before and it's light and day difference between the two.
last weekend I touted my very good condition (everything works as should) 2005 HSE with a transferable 3 year warranty around dealers in Indy for part exchange on a $40K+ vehicle and got trade in offers of 9-10K - just to give you an idea.
This is as the snow starts and is when 'everyone' wants 4x4 trucks. I didn't haggle - but I do think your 'worth' is probably widely off the mark...sorry!
This is as the snow starts and is when 'everyone' wants 4x4 trucks. I didn't haggle - but I do think your 'worth' is probably widely off the mark...sorry!
Ok I was going off the top of my head in estimation.. However, I just checked in with Craigslist Dallas and see 03-05 from $11,900 to $16k! Of course trade in would be different. Anyway hoping this truck wont depreciate much more!
I will probably go with valley pan gasket DIY (since this is the most aggressive leak) and keep an eye on the slowly seeping timing gaskets. I don't think it makes sense to only replace upper timing gaskets. Then address the whole upper/lower timing chain, guides, and vanos recondition all at once someday or sell it.
I will probably go with valley pan gasket DIY (since this is the most aggressive leak) and keep an eye on the slowly seeping timing gaskets. I don't think it makes sense to only replace upper timing gaskets. Then address the whole upper/lower timing chain, guides, and vanos recondition all at once someday or sell it.
The upper gaskets are rubber, much like the valvecovers. They shrink and leak. The lower gaskets are metal. They are much less likely to leak. It makes perfect sense to do just the uppers.
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