I don't get why they are quoting you a replacement of the front cover and oil pump rather than just the gasket... Are they just throwing out a worst case scenario number?

FWIW I have been told four times my Rover needed a new engine, they were right once.

 

I'm assuming they are figuring that it's just a matter of time before the oil pump goes (due to age) and it's a preventative measure. I won't have any engine if the oil pump fails so may as well replace it.

I had a lot of time to think about what llama said over the weekend regarding fixing one thing and leaving the others. I have mixed feelings over it too. There are forums for a reason. We are all in the same position, trying to keep our vehicle on the road. For some it is a challenge. For others it's a hobby. I think it's fair to say that many of us have an attachment to these cantankerous beasts and we would do just about anything to keep them running. I called around town because I'm looking for the right place to work with me on a vehicle that I care for a lot. Driving it makes me smile and that's important. Sure, it's an inanimate object. It doesn't talk to me, it gets me from point A to point B (most of the time haha) but I cannot think of another vehicle I would prefer to drive more. I've had other vehicles and haven't had the attachment that I do to this one. I think that is why my conversation with the technician at Dave's Garage upset me so much last week. I wasn't feeling the love. I felt negated in everything that I said. I called them because they have a sign on the outside of their building stating that they are Bosch Certified. As I found out, they don't work on Rovers very often.

I am thankful that forums like this exist. I am also thankful that you shared your story regarding being told 4 times that you needed a new engine, Dave03S. I brought that up with my husband last week. Collective information helps others make educated decisions.

 

As a preventive measure I get replacing a 70k plus mile oil pump while you have the front cover off, however if the existing old oil pump is good then chances are the front cover is perfectly fine. By replacing the cover too they are charging you an extra $400+ for no good reason.

I totally get what you are going through, finding an honest mechanic to work on Rovers is a difficult task... Most foreign car shops who don't normally work on Rovers specifically see a Rover owner as a walking talking boat/vacation/alimony payment.

I did a whole lot of work myself just so I could afford it when things came up that were above my experience level... Like when I finally did need a new engine.

 

I thought the front cover and oil pump were an integrated unit purchased together? I've seen the oil pump gear kits but figured the front cover/oil pump were sold as one unit.

If I worked on this myself it probably wouldn't be until next spring. I have a one car garage and think it's earmarked for hubby's car this winter. Yes, it makes sense to do what you can to save on repair bills as well as get to know the vehicle you drive. I see how that is important.

 

If you buy a new timing cover, it comes with a new oil pump...but you still have to take it out to pack and prime the gears with vaseoline/assembly lube.
A new cover is around $400.
A new oil pump is around $50

 

Just curious - what were the issues (or issue) with your engine that made shops tell you that you needed a new one?

 

1: 38k miles developed the low oil pressure tick, still under warranty, dealer replaced engine, didn't really need a new engine as it turns out as techs bought those blocks and fixed the misaligned front covers. It was free though.
2, 3, & 4: 95k miles oil pump failure that I did not catch in time, cam lobe wore out. Dealer and two indy shops told me i needed a new engine. just out of extended warranty. Found an indy LR specialist who correctly said all i needed was a new cam shaft, front cover and oil pump gear. $2000. also did new water pump just because it had to come off anyway.
5: 197k miles. Coolant in cylinder 5 determined to be from cracked block. Used block sealer to buy some time to source new engine etc. lasted 14k miles. Found a freshly rebuilt P38 short block in the for sale section here for $1000 and had that installed with rebuilt heads, new radiator, hoses, and electric fan.

The final time was the only time I REALLY needed a new engine and that factory replacement 4.6 had 170k on it.

 

Wow.. you've been thru it all with yours, haven't you? Well seeing as I'm at 168k now (somewhere around there) - it's probably best to just replace the entire assembly for precautionary measures and see what I can squeak out of this engine for now. I love that you've kept yours on the road - that's awesome

 

Thanks! I, like you, can't imagine driving a regular car.

As for the front cover, keep this in mind, if its good you don't need to spend the $400, it will last until you do replace the engine. Also know that the mechanic who does replace it will keep it and sell it to someone else for $400. You don't have to pay good money to replace things that ain't broke as they say. Yes on the oil pump gear and the water pump too.

As I said way back in this thread, get the front cover sealed up, with new oil pump gears, and then see where you stand. tell the shops that you want to do this in stages and you will be a future customer if they treat you right.

Also I'm wondering if you have the clogged up oil separator issue as described in the recent PCV threads: https://landroverforums.com/forum/di...ine-pcv-88424/

leads to the block being pressurized forcing oil out everywhere. That is something you actually can fix yourself in an hour or less.

I would have to think that is a high quote for the intake gasket.

Good Luck!

 

That oil separator can cause problems if it is clogged, it increased my oil consumption until I got it cleared. On my 04 I just used a bunch of spray carb cleaner down the hole as I was near due for an oil change. Worked really well and I have not had any excess oil consumption since.

I thought the intake gasket quote was high too, but different shop in another part of the world I have no way to know. I would have thought closer to 6-8 hundred