Thursday, October 15, 2015

Land Rover Discovery TDV6 engine failures making headlines

Land Rover Discovery 3 owners for some time now have had some worrying questions about the popular TDV6 engine used in the Land Rover Discovery 3. Sudden catastrophic engine failures linked with broken crankshafts have happened often on vehicles in South Africa, UK and Australia. With such wide range and frequency of occurrences it seems to point to the engine design and construction rather than servicing. Forums like 4x4community and Disco3.co.uk have had many threads on this topic.

In 2014 there was some confirmation of this problem when Land Rover published a Service bulletin SSM71816 CRANKSHAFT/CRANKSHAFT BEARING CONCERNS - TDV6 DIESEL ENGINE. According to the bulletin the issue and action is as follows:
"Issue: 
Crankshaft/crankshaft bearing failure - TDv6 Diesel Engine. 
Cause: 
Low incidence of crankshaft failure are being encountered, caused mainly by incorrect location of the main bearing shells during assembly, or through rotation of the shells during normal use. A new procedure has been implemented to ensure: 
- more rapid resolution of customer concerns, and 
- greater visibility of failure modes in order to improve repair process and parts delivery. 

Action: 
For any suspected crankshaft/bearing failure, please contact your local Dealer Technical Supportor FRED team for details of the enhanced customer handling procedure. 
The list below summarises typical symptoms of crankshaft/bearing failure, but please contact your DTS/FRED team if in any doubt as they will be pleased to offer assistance: 
· Crankshaft is seized, engine cannot be turned either via starter motor or crankshaft pulley bolt. 
· Oil sump or engine cylinder block is holed, with oil leakage and/or metallic debris found on engine under-tray. 
· Engine makes a loud ‘rumbling/knocking’ sound when running which worsens as the engine is placed under load. The engine oil pressure warning light may flash or be continuously illuminated, especially at low engine speeds."
A recent article on iol.co.za titled Unease grows over Land Rover engine, highlights the problem and refers to the efforts by one owner to seek compensation from Land Rover after laying a claim with the Motor Industry Ombudsman.

"Land Rover Discovery owner Margot Birbeck has laid a complaint with the Motor Industry Ombudsman after a specific crankshaft bearing in her vehicle’s engine failed, causing the engine to seize. 
Birbeck claimed that she had discovered that “hundreds of Land Rover engines” were failing as a result of the fault, which was ascribed to the incorrect location of the main bearing shells during assembly, or through rotation of the shells during normal use.
Models impacted included the Discovery 3 and 4, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, Birbeck said. This was confirmed by Jaguar Land Rover South Africa."

The majority of vehicles affected by this problem are already out of warranty, especially all the Land Rover Discovery 3 models that were replaced in 2009 by the Discovery 4 model. This leaves owners in a precarious position being out of warranty and most often having left the formal service network for independent service centers. The question is does it matter? If it is a design or assembly fault then it needs to be fixed regardless? That is what you would expect from a leading profitable brand like Land Rover who rightly and proudly celebrates the fact that the majority of Land Rovers ever built are still on the road.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Defender 2013 Special Edition and Specs

The long term plan for the Land Rover Defender lies somewhere between the current model and the DC100 concept vehicle. In August 2006 Land Rover released the official information of the new Defender 2007. The changes were all on the inside, except for the slightly modified bonnet for the new engine. The 2013 model year sees some refinements and the introduction of some special editions, increased spec levels and new colour choices.

De Rust 2012 - Family and Extreme !
We have re-negotiated the De Rust Venue ! This venue covers terrain from family driving to extreme so this one is for everyone ! Register for this event now to secure your place.
Location : De Rust - Opposite Pecanwood Estates
Contact : Abi
Register online and bring R200 entrance fee.

Visit www.landyonline.co.za for all your Landy info and www.landyonlineretail.co.za to look after your Landy.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Land Rover in James Bond Skyfall


October 5, 2012 is Global James Bond Day and marks the 50th anniversary of the UK premiere of the first James Bond film DR NO

Jaguar Land Rover celebrated 50 years of James Bond at the 2012 Paris Motor show by displaying one of the Land Rover Defenders used in Sony Pictures Entertainment’s upcoming motion picture SKYFALL™, in UK theaters 26th October (South Africa 30 November). The Double Cab Pick Up, driven in the opening sequence by field agent Eve (played by Naomie Harris), was shown on the Land Rover stand during the second press day on Friday 28 Sept.



Jaguar Land Rover provided a total of 77 vehicles to the SKYFALL production, including the Land Rover Defender, Range Rover and Jaguar XJ for use both on-screen and as production support vehicles.

Daniel Craig is back as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in SKYFALL™, the 23rd adventure in the longest-running film franchise of all time. In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost. The film is from Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Directed by Sam Mendes. Produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. Written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan.



Thursday, August 30, 2012

New Land Rover Brand Ad Released

Land Rover released their new brand TV ad to be aired during the Para Olympics in London. Titled Land Rover Above and Beyond it is a clear message linking the old with the new. Land Rover is moving forward into the future with some radical new vehicles like the Evoque and DC100 concept

As they do this they will have to do maintain the link to the past from a heritage point of view. Additionally they need to convince the loyal following out there that they have not lost the plot and are infact still making purpose built off road vehicles that will stand the test of time. The video on you tube does this well and finishes off with a shot of the all new Range Rover.

Visit www.landyonline.co.za for all your Landy info and www.landyonlineretail.co.za to look after your Landy.

Land Rover Above and Beyond Ad


Monday, August 13, 2012

LandyOnline Websites updated

It may have been a while since you heard from us but we have been hard at work. We have spent the last few months updating our websites and making sure that we continue to share the Landy love.

So we have made a few changes to keep things fresh and efficient.

The biggest change is 
LandyOnline Retail to be found at www.landyonlineretail.co.za - This is our old workshop and shop re-branded into one business functioning as LandyOnline Retail - Online Shop - Accessories - Service - Off Road trips events.

www.landyonline.co.za continues as is and remains a dedicated website resource for Land Rover information on the internet along with the LanyOnline Forum

To support all of this we have 
LandyChirps on Twitter

So choose your preferred way to interact, the more the better of course because then you can never miss out.

You will still be able to access and find all this info from www.landyonline.co.za 


Thursday, January 12, 2012

New year, new things happening at LandyOnline!

Welcome to 2012 everyone, we wish you nd your loved ones a safe and
successful year!

We promised you big things for 2012 and we've already started. We've
upgraded our switchboard system in order to improve our service to you.
Our new Landline number is 011 590 3060. The mobile number will be used
in emergencies, if the landline goes down.
Our new system allows you to direct your own call straight to where you
need to go, just follow the voice prompts.

We'll have more updates soon about our new and exciting products,
specials and events, so stay tuned!

Have a great weekend all!