Just my luck.

Swapped head gaskets back in December and added an oil pressure gauge last week.

The 2-3 cold starts each day over this long, cold winter must be taking their toll as it looks like my once normal oil pressure is taking a nose dive (need to verify that with a second, mechanical gauge). So I think my new oil pump (~11k) is starting to go.

On top of it all, I've become concerned that a deep knocking sound I hear is a loose sleeve.

Anyway, I'm not convinced that the oil pump issue from '03 was dealt with in '04. There's just been too many reports to convince me otherwise.

Even if the problem was corrected, '04 engines are in short supply.

That being said, what's involved with swapping in a RR 4.6 engine, or at least short block? I think they were availlable up to 2002. I'm assuming that they are Bosch and ready for secondary air? They seem to be much more common and cheaper to boot.

Failing that...anyone ever heard of downsizing to a 4.0?

 

three things to do here

-find a 4.0 (99-02) and swap ypur crank rods and pistons in... new bearings of course and you will have a 4.6 again!!!! or rebuild your motor... i dont recommend any rebuild of a 03 block... trust me i know

-car-parts.com ...use it everyday... search for a Range rover (99-02) 4.6 or an 04 Disco 4.6. i picked up a 04 Disco 4.6 with 50k miles for 2300 last week.

-autosports unlimited in Michigan sell remanf. 4.6 for disco's for 4000$, comes with 1 year warranty ..... thats cheap for a new motor... you wont find it for less

 

now I know why you call yourself meltdowndave... I feel sorry for all that you have been through, and it's amazing that you still care so much for your truck to yet again figure out a plan of attack for an engine to make your 03 roll once more... I think the 3 cold starts on my 03 is what finally smoked the oil pump last week... Hang in there meltdowndave, I am working for all of us right now and that's all I am saying... It might become a great day for all of us poor 4.6 owners soon...!!!

 

That's an interesting thought. 4Ls are on eBay for $1200 or so. Not that eBay is the ideal place to get an engine, but it serves as an idea of the prices.

AB has oversized bearings for $100 set rod/main. Turn the crank, new gaskets, buy a new oil pump housing and viola! $3000 with labor, maybe?

 

i've spent 5500$ on a rebuild that wont make oil pressure, and i've dealt with my mechanic buring the rovers interior...... i've spent soo much time on this.... ...i would use autosports..... they even resleeve the block.....

 

Update:

Just checked the oil pressure with a mechanical gauge and it seems normal. I suppose the cold is playing havoc with the cheap electric gauge I have mounted in the dash.

Had a garage give the noise a listen. It could be a rod bearing, sleeve, or wristpin.

Since it hasn't gotten any worse in the two years I've been driving it, the mechanic thought it was a wristpin.

Anyway, the economical thing to do is to keep driving it until it fails apart then replace it.

This means that I can start going full steam ahead with mods!