We purchased our Discovery in 2004 and have to date driven about 62,500 miles and we are now faced with the problem that a valve has stuck due to carbon build up in the engine. Has anyone else had this problem? The warranty company won't cover the damage as it is 'not mechanical' so we are now faced with a large bill and no explanation from either Landrover or the warranty company as to how to prevent this from happening or the point of purchasing the extended warranty...[:@] My family has owned Land Rovers since the 1950's and to be told this is pretty sickening...

 

If you have a "break down" warranty, I wonder if you could just keep driving it until it actually does break down and then make a claim under the warranty? What is the truck doing that caused you to take it in for this diagnosis?

For the stuck valve, did you add the fuel conditioner every 7,500 miles? What octane fuel were you using?

I thought the 4.6 engine (as of '03) was supposed to havethe type of valve guide that would cut the carbon deposits off as the exhaust valvesclosed (anybody know for sure?). 62,500 miles doesn't sound like all that many. Maybe you could make the argument that the valve guide failed in its intended mechanical purpose of cutting the carbon deposits off the valve stemand therefore it is indeed "mechanical."

 

My '99 D2 developed a sticking valve at about that same mileage. Since I was also having a head gastket leak issue, I just went ahead and had a valve job done. I think it cost me $2600 including a leaking pan gasket fix. That was at my dealer.

 

We have only ever used premium unleaded for the vehicle. I started adding fuel conditioner after about 50,000 miles but saw no realchange in performance. We have serviced the vehicle regularly and were only about two thousand miles late on the 60,000 mile service, but the problem had developed prior to hitting sixty thousand. The check engine light came on and once the vehicle codes were analysed it was determined that a misfire due to corroded lead/spark plugon number six valve was the problem. The vehicle seemed ok but was also pulling a lot of coolant - topping up two to three times a week. This was repaired and only when we took the Disco to a different garage did the valve issue surface. I took the vehicle back to the dealer and they said no nothing indicates that and reset the codes. After picking up the Disco for the fourth time in two weeks, I drove about five miles and the light came back on again, so took it back to the dealer and told them I want the valves to be looked at. Last week they took it apart and found the sticking valve, which is not covered by warranty (so they say...but I am preparing to fight this issue). The repair bill for this damage $4,800.00 for labour and parts...which on top of the service and lead/spark plug repair take me to about $7,500.00 for the last four weeks of Discovery ownership. Land Rover USA and the warranty company have repeatedly sent me back to the dealer saying it is their problem, but I wonder if they realize that it will be their problem too when I don't purchase another new Landrover product or do they even care?!!!

 

7,500.00 for a truck that MIGHT be worth 10,000...

 

Where are you located? Understood that you may have an outstanding debt/or warranty claim at the dealership, but it sounds like they are trying to take advantage, and it may be wise to cut your losses and trust an Independent shop for this.

 

Um... the OP had this issue in 2007. Move along.