Had my Defender in for service on the fabric issue and the door sticking issue. During its stay, they also “fixed” two recall issues. I drive it home. (This took two days and the door sticking issue is not fixed—waiting for a part-so two days to wet vac the seat fabric and the recall issues).

This morning, something is very wrong. At idle, the engine is revving and nearly dying. At some points, at idle the tach will go up to 3k and just stay there, before dropping way off. On acceleration, it alternates between surging forward or nearly dying.

Trying to get it back to the dealership. But of course this the worst day for this to happen.

Any ideas?

 

Very likely an electronic gremlin. In which case, you are SOL until they look at it again. However, it could be bad fuel also. Water or something in the lines. That puts you back into the SOL queue at the dealer, so not a real help if that's what it turns out to be.

 

Looks like they did the PCV recall work last week. The current problems seem very similar to what another forum member described. Actually runs decently at first, but after 20 mins, starts running really rough, revving, and choking. Of course, he was describing the issue pre-recall work. Mine was supposedly fixed.

It finally threw a check engine light this morning. It’s back at the dealership.

 

The diagnosis is that the air intake isn’t sealed/coming loose. The excess air is causing the engine performance issues. The dealer says it a manufacturing defect and not their (the dealer’s) fault. Something about the connection isn’t designed well.

Part is on back order with no ETA. They want me to take the car, says it won’t hurt the car.

I think I am owed a fully functioning vehicle. Within reason. And I am not thrilled with running my vehicle under sub-optimal conditions because some rando technician says “it isn’t going to hurt it.”

any thoughts?

 

That would be unacceptable to me…so who is liable if you get in a crash when the engine stalls or lurches? And if it is running lean because of “excess air” isn’t it likely to get bore scoring or other engine damage? Jeez…

 

I had this exact same issue. I drove it around a week no issues other then annoyed. They fixed it and no problems afterwards.

 

Running lean of peak is a fuel saving technique widely used in aviation but certainly not to the point that the mixture doesn't support combustion anymore.

Get the best most experienced salty old piston engine pilots in a room, bring this up, and you'll realize that it's probably far beyond what this particular LR tech can wrap his head around.

https://resources.savvyaviation.com/...bustion-event/

 

Back on the road. They did some shade tree mechanic thing to reconnect the air intake and prevent excess air entry while they wait for the part. So far, seems to be working based on the way it drives. Seems back to its old enjoyable self.

Hopefully, it holds.

 

I'm well acquainted with that technique. Shade tree mechanic's purchase duct tape by the case.

Air intake leaks, what do I have on hand that can seal that flow of air.....?

BTW - Make sure that part is on order for when the roll runs out.