I apologise, that's what happens when you post late at night.

Yes the oil pan is dry, yes the front half of the trans pan is dry and yes the rear of the trans is wet. What I meant was the transfer case is wet too, mostly between the trans and the case so I suspect a seal leak. Also the bottom of the front diff support plate is wet. When I recently changed the oil, these oily conditions were not present but I'd believe it to be merely unfortunate coincidence.

EDIT: I'm thinking perhaps the burning tar smell on the LH side of the engine compartment could be the front diff fluid burning?

 

Nothing exciting to report other than the area between the transfer case and transmission is getting wetter and some observations regarding high, 1100+ idle previously mentioned. On many occasions, but not every time, with the engine running and in park, AC switched on, idle RPM will sit at 630 then, after a bit, it will climb rapidly an additional 500 rpm to rest at over 1100 rpm. Switch off the compressor, leaving the blower fan operating and the RPM drops 500 rpm back to 630. On cold start, if AC is on, after 30 seconds, many times RPM will drop from the cold start idle of 1800 to 1100 and stay then unless AC is switched off in which case it will drop to 630 rpm. Ambient temps high 70s to low 90s Fahrenheit.

Searches have yielded that perhaps a random high idle RPM with AC switched on is normal or it could be indicative of an issue with the AC compressor.

 

Only update I've to offer is what I just posted up in the other thread regarding DTCs, battery, etc. About 4 weeks ago after many DTCs related to EPB, DSC, low battery, etc I disconnected several harnesses and thoroughly rinsed them with electronics cleaner. Since doing this, I've had no further DTCs other than fuel pressure, again, P0089, about 2 weeks ago along with the extremely too low idle 500 RPM issue. So for the majority of the last 4 weeks, the engine has been maintaining consistent high idle RPM without any, other than the couple of days, dips below 600 RPM, even with loading up all the electrics. This is a first after several years of dealing with this issue and finally it feels like a normal vehicle again. Though I still have the leaking transfer case seal which the main dealer said would cost several thousand to repair and I did briefly have the fuel pressure DTC along with the idle problem return.

No idea if this is a coincidence or a clearer indication of the source of the fault.

EDIT: Literally after this update, I went for a drive, engine RPM dropped too low and triggered the P0089 DTC...I am not making this up and it's one hell of a coincidence. Several stops and starts and engine continued to exhibit the classic shuddering due to low idle RPM. As of today the MIL has extinguished but engine is not completely shudder free. So, I am going to explore some options with regards to contacting another LR dealer some distance away for a diagnosis.

 

Well, the problem persists daily now, as it did before last month and before I did the harness cleaning. I reckon it was just a bizarre coincidence to have nearly 4 weeks of smooth running after over 2 years of issues. I checked with a main dealer and they are booked out through August of this year and have over 100 vehicles piled up in their service drive waiting to be looked at, doesn't look good for the future of JLR. Still haven't found an independent confident enough to have a go at it.

 

Latest update, consistently while parked, engine and AC running, idle RPM stays at 1200 RPM, turn off AC and idle drops back to 630, turn on AC and back it climbs back to 1200. Also had two recent instances of idle rhythmically going back and forth between 400RPM and 600RPM like a wave, first time ever going that low. Needless to say, this caused a lot of shuddering. Still getting the P0089 code.

Had it to the main dealer and they ran basically the same tests and resets as I've done, including SDD and vacuum and air leak tests. Everything is as tight and sealed as can be, all data is in specification. The only thing the tech could come up with as a possibility is the fuel tank pump which he says they've been replacing a lot of frequently. Could be an intermittent issue affecting fuel pressure.

EDIT: Also did another oil change, hard to believe it's 7K miles since I did it last. This time oil looked clear and good for more miles. Odd that when I changed it at 10K miles after the dealer had done it, it was so dirty, unless of course I was charged for a service which hadn't been done.

 

I have experienced something similar. At first every now and then I would get reduced engine performance and the car wouldn’t idle over 1500. Cleaned the MAF and throttle with no improvement. Noticed that when AC is on the car idles lower in 500 and when off I’m back at 1000. Did you ever find out what’s wrong?

 

It's not supposed to idle over 1500 RPM. One of the issues mine's got is high idle with AC on, normal idle with AC off and occasionally idle too low rhythmically bouncing between 400-600 RPM. This is a newer symptom though, as it mostly had issues with constantly fluctuating at idle, now it is more consistent, staying at double idle speed.

The only suggestion the tech could come up with is possibly a failing fuel pump ( he says they replace a lot of them) so I've all the parts sitting here and will have a go at changing it out shortly. If it's not that then the tech suggested maybe its because it's an older vehicle with old technology....ummmmm, yeah.........

 

So I've replaced the fuel pressure sensor but still getting the P0089 DTC intermittently as well as intermittent roughness from the engine. I've a new pump and flange but was planning to let JLR pay the bill considering the open recall. Fingers crossed that's it. I will note some of the idle issues and roughness were due to a failing compressor clutch and failing fan clutch, since both replaced the engine has been much quieter and less rough and more consistent.

More to follow...

 

Another update and as this thread seems to be getting little response I may start a new thread.

AC compressor and viscous fan replaced and many of the issues have now gone away. Idle has returned to sitting at just about 600 RPM majority of the time and no longer fluctuates all over the place like it did before.

Still getting the daily P0089 code as previously stated but now I am getting perpetual lean codes for left and right banks, cleard them and they come back straight away.

Land Rover is insisting the recall is on indefinite hold so looks I'm going to have a go at this one myself with new flange and pump. Fingers crossed.

 

I still follow, but not having any new ideas for you. Makes sense that the AC compressor was causing some issues. Maybe that little extra load at idle was putting too much strain on a weak fuel pump, causing the idle surge. Hope the fuel pump solves it. The recall probably won’t save you much on the new pump anyway. They’ll just be replacing the flange, to my understanding.