Christmas wth the LR3 Again

[Colin Hughes]

For the second time since January I had the pleasure of requesting a tow for the LR3 yesterday. Started with a couple of messages followed by the full Christmas Tree on the dash and a drop to bump stops with the 4 ways flashing. The truck runs but ... It will be wiring again. This winter has been tough with the salt and the constant warming and cooling temperatures but I need a reliable truck and this one is not proving to be that. I posted a couple of days ago with some questions about LR3/4 as I saw a 2010 LR4 at a reasonable price and was considering having my mechanic inspect it and maybe moving up to it. However, the wiring is in the exact same place and he tells me they are seeing them with timing chain issues so out of the frying pan, into the fire. Right now I'm not sure what direction to go. LR4, replace a boat load of Canbus wire in the LR3 or look at a 4Runner. The LR4 looks like it is a one owner vehicle, unlike my current LR3 that's had five or six owners before me, and the service records show mainly brakes and recently the control arms as its around 112,000 miles. Being a long time Land Rover guy, this is tough. Thoughts, suggestions, ideas?

 

[Eniam17]

So you are 100% sure it's specifically a wiring issue not anything else? I wouldn't compare all rovers based on the specific lr3 you have. I think the timing chain issue is way overdone imo. It's the one recurring issue a few people have noticed on the 5.0 motors but how big of a deal is it really? I definitely wouldn't let it scare you away from an lr4. And you bought a 5-6 previous owner truck??? Buy a clean one owner with service records and I bet you have a mulch better experience. Don't get frustrated and get a Toyota

 

[A.J.M]

What's the wiring issue?

Is this a US thing as i haven't heard much of it this side.

 

[Bama4door]

I love my LR4 and haven't had any issues with it for the 10 months I've owned it and now have ~88k miles. No electrical issues whatsoever, but I know the PO had to replace the water pump and that's about it. I haven't read or heard of any timing chain issues in the 5.0's (more prevelant in Jag's I guess?)

 

[ColoDisco]

We (I am a Land Rover tech at a dealership) have seen a rash of 5.0 liter timing chain issues. Making noise due to premature failure of the timing chain tensioner. There is a TSB for this concern.

With your LR3 I would need to know the faults before getting a idea of what it may be. I know of a couple spots where suspensions are having wiring issues. Number one is behind the left rear tire. There is a large multi plug behind a plastic cover that has been known to have corroded and broken wires. What's curious is the flashers.

 

[Eniam17]

We (I am a Land Rover tech at a dealership) have seen a rash of 5.0 liter timing chain issues. Making noise due to premature failure of the timing chain tensioner. There is a TSB for this concern.

With your LR3 I would need to know the faults before getting a idea of what it may be. I know of a couple spots where suspensions are having wiring issues. Number one is behind the left rear tire. There is a large multi plug behind a plastic cover that has been known to have corroded and broken wires. What's curious is the flashers.

So the timing chain issue is a failing tensioner that's covered under warranty correct? Or if not, what kind if a job is it?

 

[Colin Hughes]

In the left rear wheel well is where the issues with corroded wires have been the last couple of times this has happened. The issue I had previously with the EAS was a corroded wire between the pump and the front valve block along with a seized height sensor. I'll know better later today once my mechanic has had a chance to look it over. The flashers may have come on because I moved the truck a couple of times to get it lined up for the tow truck. I'm going to have a look at the LR4 this afternoon. My mechanic says the timing chain issues have cropped up around 1000,000 kms. This one is at 180,000 kms so maybe it's one of the good ones? It is a worry though.

 

[ColoDisco]

Makes sense. If the LR4 is under warranty the chain tensioner issue has been covered. I still prefer the LR3 to the 4 mostly because the old 4.4 rarely leaks any oil. I had 2 D1's and they leaked oil pretty much right after resealing.

 

[DiscoDavis]

Would you want to just try and find a one-owner D3 to replace yours? Sorry to hear about wiring issues. X2 mine has never leaked any oil... knock on wood. Whether you get a 3 or 4, haven't others had luck with just covering all the connectors with dielectric grease and the wiring with better protection. If Volkov crops up in this thread you might get him to mention liquid electrical tape which was shown to be for the first time the other weekend. Magical stuff that.

 

[Colin Hughes]

It was corroded can-bus wiring behind the drivers side rear wheel. Same place as before. All the salt and muck from winter seem to get in there. Even though it has had a number of owners, I bought it from my mechanic, a LR tech, who did all the suspension, new EAS pump, tires and pulled the front seats, etc out to fix any corroded wires there along with a transmission service. That said, I've put 1/3 of the kilometres on it in the last 2 plus years.
I'm still going to have a look at the LR4 this afternoon and I've got the salesman checking with the local LR dealership which sold and serviced it to see if anything was ever mentioned about the timing chain issue. With it having 180,000 kms, the warranty won't cover it.

 

[mpinco]

Seems your LR Tech is intimately familiar with this issue now. Wondering if Liquid Tape is the solution?

Liquid Tape is a rubber coating for use as electrical tape and insulation. This flexible coating exhibits excellent protection from acid, alkaline, and abrasion, as wells as sealing out moisture and salt permanently. Liquid Tape has the strongest dielectric protection on the market; 1,200 v/mil, 5 – 7 mils per coat. Our rubber based coating will not harden, unravel or become brittle in extreme weather conditions like our competitors' vinyl based product. Available in 4 oz Brush-In-Cap Carded and 6 oz Aerosol.

 

[unseenone]

It would be good to post a detailed followup to the problems. Timing chain issue is a new one I've not heard.

 

[Colin Hughes]

Mpinco, I will discuss this Liquid Tape with him. Looks like in might be the ticket. Had a look and took the LR4 for a spin, it's the LUX pkg, very nice and tempting. The LR3 is back up at normal height again with no lights, however, I've left it to have the rear brake line replaced, another casualty of our salty winter here.

 

[Colin Hughes]

So, I've got the LR3 back and for now I'm sticking with it. I'm going to apply some liquid tape to the problem wiring behind the wheel well and add some extra protection on top of it. This is my Achilles heel and if I can remedy it, all should be fine. The LR4 is nice but the LR3 is paid for and set up the way I like it.

 

[ColoDisco]

I think it's the wiser choice. Post up pics of what you use as a solution.