I have an '03, and am trying to decide if an extended warranty is worth it. I prefer to do my own work, so this is not the preffered choice. Also, the $3-4,000 it cost seems really high.

So I'm planning for worst case scenarios. Given it is an '03 with a slight tick, can I replace the 4.6 with a 4.0? I've read it somewhere before and the 4.0s seem more plentiful. Or can I use a 4.6 out of a Range Rover?

Next question, I haven't really read any preventative measures regarding the oil pump. I know it is a casting flaw, but is there nothing that can be done?

just looking at my options. Thanks for the advice.

Troy

 

Are you sure that you have the faulty casting? Do you fall in the vin range?
The only true fix is to replace the motor, but you can also periodically replace the oil pump before it should fail. You would have to keep doing that as long as you own the truck. I believe the new pump would last 50,000 miles, at least that's what I've read on here.

 

It does fall witin the VIN range. It has 88K on it now and runs/drives great. I have reciepts from the second owner, but do not from the first. It has had HG and water pump done at Land Rover. That is all I know.

 

If it's lasted 88k the odds are that the engine is fine. Just because it's in the vin range doesn't mean that it's faulty, just that it's possible. However I do remember reading on the forums of a fellow that had pump failure at around 93k. So don't take my word for it but if you make it to 100k you SHOULD be safe. If you can, try to find out from the previous owner if the motor has been replaced. I don't think the dealership would recommend oil pump replacement on a faulty motor, they should have replaced the engine if under warranty. Then again I don't work for Land Rover.

I'm in the vin range with 130k. I have no tick and it runs smooth, I'm pretty certain that the motor has either been replaced, or the original is fine.

$3-4,000 can get you a new motor for the price you pay on extended warranty. I guess it would just depend if you want the warranty for other services as well. And yes a 4.0 can replace the 4.6 but there are a few things you things you need to make sure of. I've never researched deep into that but there are plenty of threads here you can search that cover that.

 

Thanks for the reply. The whole truck runs great and I've almost gotten rid of the tick. It is good to hear there are a few out there making it to higher miles.

 

Yeah if it was going to fail due to the casting, it would have failed a long time ago. I will agree with that.

 

Worse case, yes you can throw in a 4.0, the ECU will handle it, pretty much plug and play.
I would look at and replace the oil pump only, not the entire front cover, at around 100,000 miles and you should be fine.