That's encouraging [said snarkily]

I have ordered the oil pump repair kit, and will inspect the cover/block alignment.
Is there a list of affected VIN numbers?

 

"undersized LR bearing are not readily avalable" BUT they are available, if you know where to look.

 

"What caused this?"

Bad metallurgy?
Bad design?
Both?
______________________________________

I don't buy that. If that were true, would we have the zillion Discoveries on the road today, most approaching high mileage, and only a few broken this way?

 

+1. Generally, LR's are pretty bombproof and maybe for one of the most abused vehicles on the road worldwide but they keep on trucking. The weak link in the D2 range is the V8 engine as it is beset with problems but apart from that particular engine the LR is pretty reliable as an offroader and workhorse, witness how many around and how old many of them are.

 

ImQuattro;

yes there is a list of VINs you would have to do a search. the bad BLOCKS were some 03 and a few 04.
when you find it, if your lucky you wont be on it . then you can get back to trying to salvage your engine.
(below is a quick run down on the 03 04 engines)



there are hundreds of theory's but the one that makes the most sense is certain blocks were machined incorrectly for dowel pins that hold the timing cover on, this put undue stress on the oil-pump gears causing them to crack.
this is the only plausible theory imho, if the problem were oil pump gears LR would have had a campaign for oil pump gears, the same if it were the timing cover. you don't replace complete engines if there is any other way around it.

 

I have one that was fixed, 110,000 miles ago and still going strong.

 

was your engine FIXED OR REPLACED?

 

Looks like mine when I took it in to get the oil pump replaced due to low oil pressure.

Indy Rover tech said he's seen it a million times on Discovery's.

 

unfortunately it is, only 2 pieces your lucky I have seen them broke in as many as 5 pieces.

 

Mine was replaced in 2007 which was THE FIX then. Paid for 100% by warrantee.

My point is that my vehicle is still in the VIN range but as with most in the VIN range is no longer something to be feared. Aware of maybe, afraid of, no.

In todays market where most 03's and 04's are high mile vehicles, the ones in the VIN range that had the issue have had it resolved one way or the other or they wouldn't still be on the road.

That being said there will always be those that repeat old news on the interwebs and that will keep the supply of good 03 and 04 models available for those who know better.