Just bought a 2002 Range Rover 4.6 L w/secondary air engine that I'm going to drop in my 2004 Disco. The used motor has 33,000 miles on it and came with a 6 month warranty. My question is I pulled 1 of the valve covers and it seemed pretty dirty. Could a motor with 33,000 miles and maybe didn't get the proper oil chages look like this. And should it concern me? And second what all gaskets should I replace while I have it on the stand before I drop it in? Thanks for any and all responses. Chris

 

If the oil was not changed when it should be and they used regular grade gas instead of premium I suppose a 33k engine could be sludged like a 60k engine.

Why does the donor only have 33k?
Was it totalled back in '05 or '06?
If so why did it sit for 4 years without being parted out already?
I know you already bought the engine but you may have been screwed.

I would replace the head gaskets, oil pan, front and rear mains..
Clean the oil pick up screen and clean out as much sludge as you can.

 

I don't want to mention the guys name but did come highly recommended. He just said that when I called he had just talked to a guy that had 2 of these low mileage RR motors so I snatched it up because the price was right and he said that he doubles the warrsnty from 90 to 180 days. I also think that all gaskets can be changed except the head gaskets, they would void the warranty. Should i do any flushes once I get it running?

 

I second this.

And how would the guy that you bought it from even know if you did change the head gaskets?

Its a lot easier/cheaper to have it done with the engine OUT of the truck.

 

Head gaskets. Hands down. It will be a piece of cake to change those with the engine out.

*edit* I'd change the head gaskets anyway.

 

if this was truly a lo mileage engine then is a safe bet the HG have never been changed and they will fail in the future so swapping them out should be done.
It might be a wise idea to talk with the engine supplier to discuss this idea prior to doing it so to see if a warranty will still be in effect if you do swap out the HGs

 

+9 head gaskets... now or forever punch yourself in the face