I'll be interested to see what the fix is for this. I've got a coolant leak on my 4.4 that has been on it since it was 6 months old, it went into the only dealer open during lockdown and they fitted a new thermostat housing but its still leaking from somewhere. With lockdown, I've not been using the car that much. When it went the first time, it was dripping coolant from one of the undertrays behind the nearside front wheel, so I don't know whether coolant runs down the V and down the back of the engine. The guy JLR assistance thought it was coming from the back of the engine.

You could try and add a dye to the Coolant and then check with black light if you can see the source. But to me it sounds like it will need spanners and ratchets and start dismantling to just take a look.

Yes that’s what I figured. Unfortunately I know very little about cars and have no tools for this kind of job. Am totally dependent on finding decent mechanics. The Indy told me HG which he did say was very rare and he had only seen a couple and that there isn’t even a LR guide on fixing them for this engine suggesting it’s rare.
If I take it back I guess I’m commuting to 4.5k he quoted as reckons it’s about 40 hours labour as the cleaning etc takes so long.
Not sure if the process to do the HG would be in stages that could find any other sources early in the process or whether the whole engine comes out straight away?
I can literally find nothing online for people having HG go on an L405.
The mechanic said he was working on one at the moment but super rare.

Is there any other Independent LR specialists you can take it to for a second opinion, I've never heard of a head gasket going on the LR V8 diesels. Mine passed a pressure test initially but they reckon when they put the engine under load it started to leak. Even after I'd got it back you could still smell that sweet strange coolant smell that I thought would burn off eventually.

I’m sorry but that Indy doesn’t sound right to me. I’d try and find another one. No guide on changing a head gasket? Are they for real? And 40 hours? Seriously? That is like a quote someone would give when they don’t want the job. Damn my 18 year old daughter would do it for that 🤣

Seriously though, annoying as it is try and find another garage. It’s just an engine, it really isn’t that complicated. I could recommend one or two to me locally but that would be pointless for you.

BC1, would it not be worth getting the oil cooler gaskets and thermostat housing done and while they have that much stripped down it would give them a good view and chance to find the leak.

Would be alot cheaper than 4500k. 2015 4.4 AB
GSXR 1000 K5
R1 1998

i still think it will be the oil cooler leaking now you have uploaded that image.
it is a known weak spot that for most leaks oil but yours is leaking coolant very slowly and when under pressure which would explain why the vapor has built up around the HG.

there is a general feeling here

1) these engines are not know for HG issues
2) to have 1 fail is rare but both!!!!!!!!
3) 4.5k 40hrs is £112 per hour seems way off to me

take it to another garage preferably someone that know these cars and i would get the oil cooler gaskets done and start there. 2012 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - Current
2014 Navara V6 - Gone
2004 Vogue TD6 - Gone
Grand Cherokee - Gone
Discovery V8 (LPG) - Gone
Discovery TD5 - Gone

BC 1
How did you get on with this, any resolution yet???

🤔