Good morning all,

After smelling oil/exhaust gases in the cabin for the past week (roughly 3 weeks after the warranty expired!) it appears that my beloved 2016 SDV8 (70k miles) has the oil cooler/seal issue. I can’t be sure as I don’t have a ramp and even if I did I wouldn’t have a clue at what I’m looking at or for. What I can be sure of is the smell and the fact that there is oil/fuel/something on the under tray where I suspect it aligns with the back of the engine. Having left cardboard under the car overnight I can confirm it's not leaking overnight, or at least not enough to flood the under tray!

I've taken it to my local indy who, without looking, suspects it's an oil cooler issue but they can't look at it until Feb! Naturally, I'm going to try and find another independent to take a look but I have a few questions for the wise here whilst I try:

1. Keeping a close eye on oil levels is it OK to continue to drive it (A/C in recirc when driving slow).
2. Is there anything else I should check? Oil in the coolant? If so how?
3. Can any garage carry out this work or should I stick to a LR specialist


Photo of under the car:

It certainly could be Dean. To see if there's oil in your coolant, just pop the cap off and take a look inside. The coolant should be a nice red/pink colour. If it's dirty looking, you have contamination.

Also, take a torch and look through the middle of the intake doughnut, down past the oil filter, you may be able to spot a leak on the cooler if there is oil in the V, between the two banks.

Any garage can carry out the work, it isn't complicated. But, obviously a LR specialist is going to be more familiar with the job and the disassembly/reassembly process. Kev

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

Thank you very much!

I’ve just gone outside to check the coolant and there is none, not even below the low level line! The engine was ticking and pinging last night after I switched off which is what made me look under…!!

Just heading to Halfords to buy some coolant (in the wifes car).

In that case, I wouldn't drive it and would insist that your engine is checked prior to the oil cooler repair being carried out.

What does your oil level show? Hopefully the coolant hasn't been dumped into the oil. Kev

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

Oil level showing as full but I think I need to get engine to temp then leave for 30mins for an accurate reading, is that right?

Officially yes, but it's still a good indication in a cold state. I'd be more concerned if it was showing it was over-filled.

I'd definitely get the oil changed though  Kev

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

Which independent is busy until February?
I'll consult my list that I've built over the years if you want me to find another one close by.
Let me know Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
New Defender D300 90
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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The specialist is Woodside Garage in Maulden, Bedford. Incredibly knowledgable and they looked after my previous L322. They’re suffering with Covid related issues.

I was going to try Rogers and then Landers next. Would appreciate some recommendations, thank you.

Update:

I topped up the coolant, it needed a smidge over 750ml. Left it 30 mins or so, checked all fluids, there were no changes so went for a 30 minute drive.

Left it 10 mins as per the manual to check oil level and it still was stating the level as full.

Left it a little longer to cool and had a look at the colour of the coolant. I think my worse fears have maybe been realised, but perhaps an expert here might be able to confirm that the coolant is meant to be this colour or not?

Looks ok to me - I’ve had the oil cooler gaskets leak on a couple of previous 4.4 TDV8’s and both times the expansion tank was very obviously contaminated with oil, yours looks fine.

Your issue may just be a leaking o ring on the rear feed pipe

Oh brilliant, that sounds promising to me. Thank you for the reply!

So with just the leaking O-ring, do you think it would be ok to continue driving? I assume a leak is a leak, for as long as it's not harming the engine or myself in the cabin it's ok?

How about the drop in coolant, should I be worried?

Keep a close eye on the coolant level over the next few journeys (but always check the level once fully cold) & assuming it doesn’t noticeably drop you should be ok, although doesn’t explain the previously low level.

No problem to drive it if it’s just a very minor o ring leak, again keep checking the level

I’ve just had this exact problem and it is the oil cooler gasket that seems to be the problem. I also had an EGR cooler gasket replaced as well.. Also an oil leak from the back of the engine that while you can see oil the oil level remains at full. A little oil goes a long way.
The parts were not expensive but the Labour was high and with diagnostic charges it came to £1800, thankfully paid by warranty
Your coolant colour looks fine to me.

Quick update on this:

Coolant level has remained the same since topping up. Which makes very little sense to me and is almost more worrying that it's not obviously loosing it somewhere. Oil loss at a minimum, the gauge hasn't budged so I'm continuing to drive it but checking every day, much to all of my mates amusement.