[ChiragM]

Thanks to Debtosh Chatterjee for sending this in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing it with other enthusiasts via this Team-BHP share page!

Dear sir,

This is regarding our Land Rover Freelander, 2014 model. The car is about 8 years old and has travelled approximately 90,000 km, with timely services. On a fine Saturday morning, I drove it down to the petrol pump to fill it up and as soon as I reached the pump, the car suddenly stopped just outside. I thought it stopped because of low fuel level so I just filled it up a bit (about 5-10 litres), and tried to start the engine again. Mind you that no warning signals were given to us prior to this situation. After several failed attempts to start the car, I finally decided to call the roadside assistance so that they could tow away the car. We called them but their only response was that it might take hours before somebody could actually come and pick it up. Since it was raining quite hard that day, we asked for some other quick solution to our problem to which they said that we have to directly contact the people who will tow our car. We called them right away and they were quite cooperative and sent people in the next hour and a half.

Initially, when they opened the front hood of our car, they saw the rubber (like a chain) which connects the starter to the engine torn and coiled with the engine. So we thought that was the only problem but later after repairing, they found out that the amount of pressure that is required in the engine for combustion is not enough. Infact, only 1/3rd of the pressure could be generated. To this, Land Rover told us that they could not understand what was happening and told us to change the engine which would cost us Rs. 14 lakhs, which makes no sense since our SUV at this point is only worth Rs. 12 lakhs. We specifically asked them what was wrong with our engine but their only response was that they do not have the necessary tools to open up the engine, but we all know that it is not an acceptable solution to our problem. After exchanging several mails, Land Rover finally sent a mail to their head office in UK and were told how to open up the engine, which I believe should not have taken this much time and these many mails. Finally, they managed to open up the engine and found out that several parts were damaged and severed.

We would like to know your expert opinions as to what should be our next course of action. The pictures and the videos are posted below.

Thank you

Debtosh Chatterjee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RLK...ature=youtu.be

[agambhandari]

From the shared photos and videos, there is obvious damage to the head and with the amount to metal hanging loose there is high possibility that the block has some damage as well. Could be a timing chain/ belt issue . Whatever it may be, doesn't matter now.

Solution is simple, check head and block. If block is fine, then get a new head. If not, then a new /refurb engine. And needless to say, FNG doing this job would be cheaper and your only way out if you want to save some cash and do it with refurb/ used parts.

[dhanushs]

I'm not really clear if the engine is an interference type or not, but, I'm guessing you broke the timing chain/belt and the valves have collided with the piston.

If thats the case, you are indeed left with a damaged engine. IMO, the cheapest and most reliable option for you is to get a used engine from the scrap (or import scrap) and replace it, instead of repairing it.

[shankarbn]

Originally Posted by dhanushs

I'm not really clear if the engine is an interference type or not, but, I'm guessing you broke the timing chain/belt and the valves have collided with the piston.

If thats the case, you are indeed left with a damaged engine. IMO, the cheapest and most reliable option for you is to get a used engine from the scrap (or import scrap) and replace it, instead of repairing it.

Agree. This is why preventive maintenance, especially on belts pays off. If you were taking it to the stealership, I wonder why they did not replace the timing belt in time - you should look up the service schedule and bring it to their notice too.

If the head and block (new) are similarly expensive, you are better off buying a used engine and doing it up. Shame for this to happen on a 7 year old car.

[WorkingGuru]

As far as I can understand, the broken timing belt has caused a catastrophic engine failure. Since the car is 7-8 years old, even with extended warranty I guess engine warranty would be out of time by now.

Reprehensible for Land Rover to have un-co-operative/incompetent dealers who cannot even diagnose the engine failure. You're surely better off at a decent garage where they'll be more open to you about the diagnosis.

[sarfraz1997]

Obviously getting the engine repaired/replaced from LR at this point is a no brainier. The most VFM option would be to find a competent garage which has experience of replacing engines on LR’s and get a used engine. This too, involves a lot of headache, time and effort.

[knshailender]

If I'm not wrong the timing chain life is at least a 100k kms if not miles. Shocked to see one fail at 90k kms.
But yes, looks like a catastrophic failure. The only logical way out is an engine replacement.

[Chhanda Das]

Oh no, this is exactly one of the primary reasons why an engine with a timing chain is substantially more reliable than a similar engine with a timing belt. Timing belts snapping suddenly and causing catastrophic engine failure is fairly common across brands. It is not as if the timing chains do not go bad but they do so gradually and only after providing adequate aural and haptic warnings. Also, timing chains easily and usually last for way more than 100k kilometres irrespective of the car. Also, this may sound like a bitter pill but Tata is not exactly known for making hassle-free reliable cars. And a car manufacturer not knowing how to fix their own cars is simply not acceptable. The authorized JLR workshops in your area may not have experience dealing with specifically your car's engine but there are books called service manuals and those exist for a reason. It simply does not make sense that JLR UK would not have had sent the service manuals to JLR India before commencing the sale of the car in India which I am assuming was at least 8 years ago. There is a saying amongst UK based garages/workshops/mechanics that JLR cars are the safest since they spend the most amount of time getting fixed. As many others have mentioned earlier, a local experienced workshop/garage would be your best bet at this point. Wish you the best of luck and I sincerely hope that your car gets fixed soon

[vishy76]

The broken rockers are evidence that your timing belt has snapped and killed the engine instantly. The TD4 2.2 has a timing belt that JLR suggests replacing at the 7 year or the 140K km mark, but I think we can all agree these are quite optimistic numbers considering Indian climate and usage patterns. I have seen belts which manufacturers claim will last for 120K km snapping as early as 95-1L km. In fact, VW initially had an interval of 120K km for the belts on the TDIs but later shortened it to 90K km after numerous occurrences of the belt giving up much earlier occured. Your drive belt might have snapped, jammed itself on the pulleys and also led to the timing belt snapping off.

Coming to the options you have, it depends largely on the damage. The valves will need to be examined carefully. If they are bent, an engine head rebuild is in order. If the rockers alone are damaged, you might be able to change them, clean the head thoroughly, put a new timing and serpentine belt and try to fire the engine up again. Please also check the condition of the camshafts.

If however, the valves have cracked the pistons, a used engine is the best option. Here's my suggestion:

- Pull the car out of JLR ASC first and take it to a garage which has experience in dealing with luxury cars

- Dismantle the engine head and examine both the block and the head condition properly

- Then take a call on what do. A complete engine replacement or an engine head overhaul

Do not panic and do something in haste.

[ads295]

I suggest you try out Man and Machine, a shop based out of Hyderabad. They really know their stuff and specialise in European cars.