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knwatkins



Member Since: 11 Sep 2020
Location: Poole, Dorset
Posts: 734

United Kingdom 2014 Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8 Corris Grey
SDV8 Oil Level Sensor Failure Preventative Maintenance

As we know, the oil level sensor in the SDV8 is mounted within the sump itself and is prone to failure. This causes engine oil to track it's way along the loom to the turbo actuator, resulting in an expensive repair bill.

When servicing the L405 the other day, I decided to unplug the sensor connector to inspect it. Low and behold, I found evidence of oil seepage within the connector...

Click image to enlarge


Given Land Rover have issued service instruction N357, I decided to purchase the bridging wiring harness (LR117163) to prevent against a future turbo actuator failure. The part costs £57 from Land Rover, but luckily I found one on eBay, brand new for £38. Still expensive for three wires and couple of connectors, but a lot less expensive than a turbo actuator!

I bent the bracket to approximately 35 degrees as per N357. You need to be careful when doing this because the steel bracket is quite stiff and even when placed in a vice, you cannot apply pressure to the plastic connector for leverage because the connector would likely shatter. I ended up clamping the bracket in a vice and hammering a flat bar, placed just below the connector to bend the bracket, which worked quite well.

I finished off by winding some black insulation tape around the wires to provide a bit of extra protection.

Click image to enlarge


After giving the existing connectors a good spray with brake cleaner to get rid of any oil, I installed the new bridging harness. Apologies, but this is the best I could do concerning getting a picture of it installed, due to the angle and space limitations.

Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge


I did come across one issue. The existing loom connector would not positively engage with the brown connector on the new bridging harness, no matter how hard I pushed the two connectors together. I resolved this by grinding a couple of millimeters off the top of the brown connector, thereby making it slightly shorter and deburring it with a small needle nose file to make good. The two connectors then mated perfectly.

I'd recommend all concerned SDV8 owners to install this mod as a preventative measure. It only takes 15 minutes to do.

Hope this helps someone Thumbs Up Kev

2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey

Last edited by knwatkins on 7th Feb 2021 5:50pm. Edited 1 time in total

Post #573697 21st Nov 2020 8:10pm
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recordman



Member Since: 08 May 2013
Location: Kent
Posts: 106

United Kingdom 2017 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Aruba

Mine went in to my dealer earlier this year to have this mod done under warranty. I wonder if they were as conscientious as you Kev, I've got my doubts!

Great post Bow down 2017 SDV8 Autobiography

Post #573700 21st Nov 2020 9:09pm
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GraemeS



Member Since: 06 Mar 2015
Location: Wagga area
Posts: 2278

Australia 2012 Range Rover Autobiography TDV8 Bournville

LR have initiated a campaign to fit the harness to the SDV8 engine in all L405 and L494 regardless of age.

Post #573707 22nd Nov 2020 7:03am
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knwatkins



Member Since: 11 Sep 2020
Location: Poole, Dorset
Posts: 734

United Kingdom 2014 Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8 Corris Grey

I assume that only applies to vehicles under warranty though Graeme? Kev

2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey

Post #573710 22nd Nov 2020 8:14am
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GraemeS



Member Since: 06 Mar 2015
Location: Wagga area
Posts: 2278

Australia 2012 Range Rover Autobiography TDV8 Bournville

It has been showing on Topix for MY13 L405s.

Post #573713 22nd Nov 2020 8:22am
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knwatkins



Member Since: 11 Sep 2020
Location: Poole, Dorset
Posts: 734

United Kingdom 2014 Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8 Corris Grey

Yes, of course. As per the N357 is a service instruction, it applies to all SDV8s across all VIN ranges.

I assume LR will only cover this, if under warranty though? There is no associated safety recall is there? Kev

2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey

Post #573721 22nd Nov 2020 9:17am
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northernmonkeyjones



Member Since: 24 Mar 2012
Location: derby
Posts: 8479

United Kingdom 2016 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Santorini Black

Mine was called a “Recall” by the dealer when I said I wanted it doing. All done FOC, granted mine is under warranty. it is technically a TSB so as you say I doubt it would be covered, however as a do it while it’s in for a service job, it would probably incur a small charge for the part and 1/2 hr labour on older cars.....

It’s always worth the ask tho.....

Like the OP i was going to get the part and do it in lockdown but after ringing the dealer and them telling me they would do it FOC I didn’t see the point Thumbs Up There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

Post #573727 22nd Nov 2020 9:52am
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GraemeS



Member Since: 06 Mar 2015
Location: Wagga area
Posts: 2278

Australia 2012 Range Rover Autobiography TDV8 Bournville

It is listed as a campaign against each vehicle so should be FOC. However I expect that the campaign notice will be removed after a while even if not done, as is the usual LR practice.

Post #573728 22nd Nov 2020 10:17am
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knwatkins



Member Since: 11 Sep 2020
Location: Poole, Dorset
Posts: 734

United Kingdom 2014 Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8 Corris Grey

northernmonkeyjones wrote:
Mine was called a “Recall” by the dealer when I said I wanted it doing. All done FOC, granted mine is under warranty. it is technically a TSB so as you say I doubt it would be covered, however as a do it while it’s in for a service job, it would probably incur a small charge for the part and 1/2 hr labour on older cars.....

It’s always worth the ask tho.....

Like the OP i was going to get the part and do it in lockdown but after ringing the dealer and them telling me they would do it FOC I didn’t see the point Thumbs Up


Yes, I completely agree. If it's covered under warranty, get them to do it Thumbs Up Kev

2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey

Post #573729 22nd Nov 2020 10:20am
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jc132jc



Member Since: 05 Nov 2019
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 32

United Kingdom 

Hi all, is this easy to find? I want to check if mine has been done.

Post #583293 11th Feb 2021 8:02pm
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knwatkins



Member Since: 11 Sep 2020
Location: Poole, Dorset
Posts: 734

United Kingdom 2014 Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8 Corris Grey

Yes, just put your car up on ramps or stands and have a look on the sump for the sensor. Kev

2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey

Post #583295 11th Feb 2021 8:09pm
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M11buc



Member Since: 06 May 2019
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Posts: 37

United Kingdom 2019 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Santorini Black

I have noticed on my 4.4 2019MY that the mod has been done,. but when i checked you could see oil residue around the new wiring (not a leak as such just damp with oil) unplugged the wiring at the turbo actuator and found large amount of oil there, so cleaned out with brake cleaner and refitted for time been. i have not got any running problems or fault codes as yet, but would like to stop a problem before arises. is it a case you should just do the mod again and replace the short harness?

Post #613579 23rd Nov 2021 8:40pm
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Mikey



Member Since: 10 Jan 2008
Location: Dundee
Posts: 1683

Scotland 

I trust JLR has investigated this properly, but has anyone had the sump off a 4.4 with this problem?

This is a 3.0 we done last week. I wonder if both engines suffer the same issue. The internal looms between the 3.0 and 4.4 are different, but the "repair" loom on the 4.4 is the same as the 3 0 internal... Confused

Post #613598 23rd Nov 2021 10:26pm
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Zebedee



Member Since: 09 Jun 2016
Location: Cheshire/South Manchester
Posts: 354

United Kingdom 2013 Range Rover Vogue SDV8 Santorini Black

I feel that the N357 service instruction and wiring loom extension is a sticky plaster over the whole issue of the oil level sensor problem.

Yes, it stops the migration of oil through the loom and prevents another problem, but does nothing to address the critical error of putting an oil level sensor that was designed to be mounted externally to the engine, right inside with the hot oil and expecting it not to fail. As design errors go, it is almost as bad as failing to fit a coolant level sensor to the 4.6 P38s and wondering why so many of them overheated resulting in the liners slipping. You'd have thought JLR would have learnt...

For more information on the oil level sensor design error, have a look at this thread:

www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic56693.html Current:
- 2013 L405 4.4 TDV8 Vogue
Sold:
- 2004 L322 4.4 Vogue (BRC LPG)
- 2002 L322 4.4 HSE (having fixed timing chain guides)
- 2000 P38 4.6 Vogue (BRC LPG)
- 1981 2-door In-Vogue
- 1980 Ex-Army SIII LWB
- 1976 SIII LWB
- 1968 SIIA
Stripped for parts:
- 2003 L322 4.4 Vogue

Post #613635 24th Nov 2021 10:42am
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clitheroeboy



Member Since: 21 Aug 2021
Location: lancashire
Posts: 4

United Kingdom 2013 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Aruba

Thanks for the thread link. I had the oil leak diagnosed to be the oil level sensor. I had the job turned down by my Land Rover select warranty as removal of the sump was not a major component. After reading the link to find several major components had to be removed to get to the sump, i was able to go back to the warranty company who reversed their decision and authorised the work. Which had been quoted at £1800+.
Excellent forum. Very Happy Very Happy

Post #628449 12th Apr 2022 1:48pm
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