Land Rover Range Rover Sport L320

The notorious Land Rover 2.7-litre V6 diesel with a systematic crankshaft bearing design weakness (documented in Service Bulletin SSM71816). Oil cooler leak (oil/coolant mixing) is this engine's trademark failure. Only buy with a complete and unbroken service history and confirmed oil cooler check. Short oil change intervals (max. 10,000 km) are non-negotiable.

• !! Oil cooler leak: oil-coolant cross-contamination from 150,000 km

  The 276DT oil cooler is legendarily prone to internal leakage. Engine oil gets into the coolant or vice versa. A chocolate-coloured emulsion on the coolant cap is a warning sign. Left untreated, engine damage follows.

  Symptoms: Brown emulsion in the coolant reservoir, coolant loss without visible external leak, rising oil temperature
  800–2,500 $
  Ad oil cooler 276DT TDV6oil cooler Discovery 3 2.7LR009570 oil coolerPIB500052
• !! Crankshaft bearing failure from design weakness from 180,000 km

  Known design flaw: the crankshaft can crack between the second and third main bearing. Bearing shells spin in operation and block oil galleries — oil starvation leads to engine destruction. LR service bulletin SSM71816 documents the fault.

  Symptoms: Dull knocking from the engine block (worse under load), oil pressure warning light, metal swarf in the oil filter
  5,000–12,000 $
  Ad crankshaftnlager 276DT TDV6Hauptlager 2.7 TDV6 Discoveryengine mountsatz TDV6
• !! Injector seal leak accelerates bearing wear from 120,000 km

  Leaking injector seals allow fuel to enter the engine oil. This dilutes the oil and significantly accelerates bearing wear. The combination of oil cooler failure and injector problems frequently results in total engine loss.

  Symptoms: Fuel smell in oil, rising oil level (fuel in oil), increased bearing noise
  400–1,500 $
  Ad fuel injectordichtring 276DTfuel injector Kupfergasket TDV6fuel injectorn gasket Discovery 3

+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses

3.0-litre successor to the 276DT with the same structural crankshaft bearing weaknesses. Timing chains and injectors add further problem areas. Engine replacement costs of £5,000–£10,000 are a real possibility. Very short oil change intervals (max. 8,000 km) are mandatory. Only buy with complete documentation.

• !! Crankshaft bearing failure from design weakness from 180,000 km

  The 306DT inherits the narrow crankshaft design of the 276DT. Bearing shells spin in operation and block oil galleries. Service bulletin SSM71816 covers 3.0L versions as well. Engine replacement costs £6,000–12,000.

  Symptoms: Rhythmic knocking from the lower engine block (worse under load), oil pressure loss, metal particles in the oil filter
  6,000–12,000 $
  Ad crankshaft 306DT SDV6Hauptlager 3.0 TDV6 Discovery 4crankshaftnlager Range Rover Sport SDV6
• !! Timing chain and tensioner wear from 100,000 km

  From around 80,000 km the 306DT chain tensioners and guides can wear. Rattling on cold start is the typical early warning. Left unattended, chain jump and engine damage follow.

  Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start (disappears once warm), check engine light, P0008/P0016/P0017
  2,000–6,000 $
  Ad timing chain 306DT SDV6chain tensioner 3.0 TDV6timing chain kit Discovery 4 3.0
• !! Injector over-fuelling with piston damage from 140,000 km

  Certain 306DT injectors can over-fuel, causing extreme heat buildup in the cylinder and piston melting. Metal particles from the resulting damage destroy other engine components.

  Symptoms: Individual cylinder power loss, rough engine noise, fault codes on individual injectors, metallic sounds
  2,000–8,000 $
  Ad fuel injector 306DT SDV6fuel injector 3.0 TDV6 Discovery 4fuel injectorsatz Range Rover Sport 3.0

+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses

3.6-litre V8 diesel with sensitive Siemens piezo injectors. The water-cooled EGR cooler can gradually leak coolant into the charge air cooler over years — until the engine fails catastrophically. High-pressure pump and injectors are the most common cost items. High-quality maintenance is non-negotiable.

• !! Piezo injector failure (often 4 of 8) from 130,000 km

  The Siemens piezo injectors of the 368DT are very sensitive and expensive. Inspections frequently reveal multiple failed injectors (documented: 4 out of 8). New injectors cost approximately €500 each.

  Symptoms: Rough running, individual cylinder fault codes, power loss, increased fuel consumption, limp mode
  1,500–5,000 $
  Ad fuel injector 368DT TDV8Piezo fuel injector 3.6 TDV8fuel injector Range Rover 3.6
• !! High-pressure pump failure with system pressure loss from 120,000 km

  The 368DT high-pressure pump is prone to failure. Vehicles enter limp-home mode after 12–15 km of driving. Fault codes for low fuel rail pressure are typical.

  Symptoms: Limp mode after a few kilometres, hard start, fault codes for low fuel rail pressure
  1,000–3,000 $
  Ad high-pressure fuel pump 368DT TDV8CP4 pump 3.6 TDV8high-pressure fuel-pressure fuel pump Range Rover TDV8
• !! EGR cooler leak: coolant into intercooler from 100,000 km

  The water-cooled EGR cooler can pass coolant into the intercooler. Over roughly three years the coolant slowly fills the intercooler until it reaches the turbo and enters the engine, causing severe engine damage.

  Symptoms: Sporadic power loss, white smoke, after years: sudden catastrophic engine failure
  3,000–12,000 $
  Ad EGR radiator 368DT TDV8EGR radiator 3.6 TDV8intercooler Range Rover 3.6 Diesel

+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses

Solid 5.0-litre V8 (naturally aspirated, no supercharger). Timing chain and guides are the known weak point from around 130,000 km. Short oil change intervals (max. 8,000 km) significantly reduce the risk. Replace plastic coolant pipes preventively with aluminium items. Character: refined V8 with decent power delivery.

• !! Timing chain guides and tensioners fail from 130,000 km

  The AJ133 5.0L V8 (naturally aspirated) is known for premature wear of the plastic timing chain guides and hydraulic tensioners. The fault typically appears from 120,000–150,000 km. Extended oil change intervals are a frequent contributing factor.

  Symptoms: Rattling/knocking on cold start, P0008/P0016/P0017, engine light, power loss
  3,000–7,000 $
  Ad timing chain 508PN 5.0 V8timing chain kit AJ133 Range RoverTiming Chain Kit 5.0 V8 LR
• !! Plastic coolant pipes become brittle from 110,000 km

  Like the supercharged V8, the naturally aspirated V8 has numerous plastic coolant pipes and fittings that become brittle and crack. Pre-emptive replacement with metal pipes (Euro AMP kit) is strongly recommended.

  Symptoms: Sudden coolant loss, overheating warning, steam from the engine bay
  500–2,500 $
  Ad coolantleitung 508PN 5.0 V8Crossover Pipe Range Rover 5.0 NAcoolantrohr AJ133 set
• !! Ignition coil failure and spark plug wear from 100,000 km

  Ignition coils on the 5.0 V8 tend to fail, often in combination with oil-fouled spark plugs (caused by valve stem seals). Rough running and misfire codes on multiple cylinders simultaneously are typical.

  Symptoms: Rough running, P030X misfire codes, engine light, oil-fouled spark plugs
  400–1,500 $
  Ad ignition coil 508PN 5.0 V8ignition coil kit AJ133 Range Roverspark plug 5.0 V8 Range Rover

+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses

5.0-litre V8 Supercharged with excellent performance but well-known weaknesses. Timing chain set replacement is a matter of when, not if. Supercharger coupling and coolant pipes are further cost items. Running costs are substantial — only justifiable with a complete service history and low mileage.

• !! Timing chain guide plastic failure from 110,000 km

  The most critical issue on the 508PS: plastic timing chain guides and hydraulic tensioners fail from around 100,000 km — faster on the supercharged engine due to higher load. Full repair costs €6,000–10,000.

  Symptoms: Rattling on cold start (>5s), P0008/P0016/P0017, engine light, power loss
  5,000–10,000 $
  Ad timing chain 508PS 5.0 SCtiming chainnführung AJ133 SC Range RoverTiming Chain Kit 5.0 Supercharged
• !! Plastic coolant pipe under supercharger bursts from 100,000 km

  Several plastic coolant pipes (crossover pipes, thermostat housing) behind and under the supercharger become brittle from thermal cycling. Sudden failure often causes engine damage before the driver can react.

  Symptoms: Sudden coolant loss, overheating warning, steam, limp mode
  1,500–8,000 $
  Ad coolantrohr 508PS SCCrossover Pipe 5.0 Supercharged Range Rovercoolantleitung AJ133 SC Alu-Kit
• !! Supercharger torsional coupler wears out from 90,000 km

  The Eaton supercharger torsional coupler — a plastic and metal spring assembly — breaks apart over time. Land Rover issued a TSB. The rattling sounds like gravel inside the supercharger and disappears under higher load.

  Symptoms: Rattling from the supercharger at idle (sounds like stones in a blower), decreasing supercharger output
  800–2,500 $
  Ad superchargerclutch 508PS 5.0 SCEaton Torsionsclutch Range Rover Sport SCSupercharger Coupler AJ133 Eaton

+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses

4.2-litre V8 supercharged with performance but several critical weaknesses. The coolant pipe under the supercharger can rupture suddenly and cause engine damage — preventive replacement with aluminium pipes is strongly recommended. Supercharger torsion coupling wears from around 90,000 km. Budget for high running costs.

• !! Plastic coolant pipe under supercharger bursts from 100,000 km

  The plastic coolant pipe running behind and under the supercharger cracks from thermal cycling-induced embrittlement. Coolant loss is sudden — by the time the overheating warning appears it is usually too late.

  Symptoms: Sudden coolant loss, overheating warning, steam, engine damage if reaction is delayed
  1,000–6,000 $
  Ad coolantrohr AJ33S 4.2 SCCrossover Pipe Range Rover 4.2 Superchargedcoolantleitung L322 4.2 SC
• !! Supercharger snout: bearings and coupler wear out from 90,000 km

  The Eaton supercharger coupler element — plastic and metal — wears out and gives way. Grinding noises from the supercharger or at idle point to bearing failure. Land Rover has issued a TSB on this subject.

  Symptoms: Grinding or rattling noises from the supercharger, hesitation under acceleration, power loss
  1,500–4,000 $
  Ad supercharger clutch AJ33SSupercharger Snout 4.2 SC Range RoverEaton supercharger Lager L322
• !! Timing chain and guides wear from 130,000 km

  Like the naturally aspirated V8, the 4.2 SC also has timing chains with plastic guides that can wear. Cold start rattling is the typical warning sign. A missed inspection risks a jumped chain.

  Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start, check engine light P0008/P0016, power loss
  2,000–7,000 $
  Ad timing chain AJ33S 4.2 SCtiming chainnführung Range Rover 4.2 SuperchargedTiming Chain Kit L322 4.2

+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses