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Home > Technical (L322) > I was told to steer away from a 4.4 TDV8 and get a 3.6 TDV8

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Johannes

Member Since: 24 Mar 2021
Location: Haapsalu
Posts: 4

I was told to steer away from a 4.4 TDV8 and get a 3.6 TDV8

Hi!
Í am looking to buy an L322 and was looking at the 2012 4.4 TDV8´s as I thought these would be the most trouble free versions and then I asked a local Land Rover mechanic for his suggestions when buying a used L322 and he told me to steer way clear of the 4.4 TDV8 engine because according to him many of the 4.4 TDV8s suffer from broken cranks which will amount to huge engine repair bills.
He suggested I get the 3.6 instead as this engine does not have that issue.
Has anyone experienced such an issue with their 4.4 TDV8?
I am really tempted to get the 4.4 because of more power, better fuel economy but after hearing of such a major issue with these engines ím having second thoughts...
The cars that fit into my budget have all done around 100 000 miles.

Is the 3.6 more reliable than the 4.4?

Thanks! Johannes

24th Mar 2021 8:30am

Bl4ckD0g

Member Since: 16 Feb 2020
Location: 127.0.0.1
Posts: 1322

2010 Range Rover Autobiography 5.0 SC V8 Santorini Black

Nonsense and old wife tales. Just get what you want and find yourself another mechanic

24th Mar 2021 8:40am

DrRob

Member Since: 16 Apr 2015
Location: Petersfield, Hampshire
Posts: 4245

2011 Range Rover Vogue SE TDV8 Buckingham Blue

Use a different mechanic as he's talking crap.
the 3litre V6 has the crank made of cheese not the 4.4 V8 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
--------------------------------------------------

24th Mar 2021 9:01am

Fox889

Member Since: 04 Jun 2019
Location: Bury St Edmunds. Suffolk
Posts: 663

2012 Range Rover Westminster TDV8 Orkney Grey

I don't wish to disrespect your 'Land Rover' mechanic....but.......codswallop! Is he a 'mechanic' who works on Land Rovers or is he a trained 'Land Rover' mechanic....there's a subtle difference.
If he said "stay clear of Land Rover 3.0 V6's because they snap cranks" then I would agree, that has been noted as a weak spot on the 3.0 V6. As far as I've read on this forum in 18 months of ownership of a 4.4 TDV8 I've never ever read of crank problems.
The only noteworthy problems found on a 4.4 TDV8 are oil cooler seals/gaskets that tend to go AWOL after a while, the secondary turbo is a 'sequential' turbo & if not used, can sometimes, emit smoke under load & high revs.
Apart from that, the 4.4 TDV8's are superb machines, and in my ignorant biased opinion, better than the 3.6 TDV8....but that's purely my opinion.

As a footnote, I would perhaps suggest seeking a more knowledgeable 'Land Rover' mechanic for any future work on any purchase? 2012 Orkney Grey Westminster 4.4TDV8 with Ivory interior.........nice!
BMW R1200GS
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Just one Montesa now, 349 White Wonder
Austin A40 Farina MK2
1975 Morris Marina 1.8TC

24th Mar 2021 9:05am

Fox889

Member Since: 04 Jun 2019
Location: Bury St Edmunds. Suffolk
Posts: 663

Dr Robs first line says it all & exceeds all my waffle! 2012 Orkney Grey Westminster 4.4TDV8 with Ivory interior.........nice!
BMW R1200GS
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Just one Montesa now, 349 White Wonder
Austin A40 Farina MK2
1975 Morris Marina 1.8TC

24th Mar 2021 9:06am

Johannes

Member Since: 24 Mar 2021
Location: Haapsalu
Posts: 4

Thanks for you input! I shall ignore the “advice” given by that mechanic and will continue searching for the right 4.4 TDV8 RR for myself
By the way, Is the oil cooler seals issue an easy fix or a more complex job to fix?

Thanks!

24th Mar 2021 9:08am

DrRob

Member Since: 16 Apr 2015
Location: Petersfield, Hampshire
Posts: 4245

See the Wiki for a DIY guide and loads of other support
https://www.fullfatrr.com/wiki/ 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
--------------------------------------------------

24th Mar 2021 9:11am

Fox889

Member Since: 04 Jun 2019
Location: Bury St Edmunds. Suffolk
Posts: 663

Split opinion on the oil cooler leak on here, some replace just the seals/gaskets & some [me] changed the whole cooler because the time allocated for the job is around 4.5hrs. It's do'able if you're handy with the spanners [which I'm not] so my thought was, if it's all apart change the whole cooler & forget about it. Others will say just change the seals & gaskets....your choice. 2012 Orkney Grey Westminster 4.4TDV8 with Ivory interior.........nice!
BMW R1200GS
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Just one Montesa now, 349 White Wonder
Austin A40 Farina MK2
1975 Morris Marina 1.8TC

24th Mar 2021 9:13am

Jayk69

Member Since: 08 Feb 2018
Location: Daventry
Posts: 601

2012 Range Rover Vogue 4.4 V8 Barolo Black

not heard of cranks failing on the FF
RRS for sure and i think that was on the 3.6 not sure though 2012 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - Current
2014 Navara V6 - Gone
2004 Vogue TD6 - Gone
Grand Cherokee - Gone
Discovery V8 (LPG) - Gone
Discovery TD5 - Gone

24th Mar 2021 9:14am

Jayk69

Member Since: 08 Feb 2018
Location: Daventry
Posts: 601

as for Oil cooler i am with Fox889 for the cost of the new cooler and the time and effort i was going to (I did it myself) to strip down it was a no brainer. the whole job took me and my 11 year old apprentice 5hrs. with plenty of tea as it was freezing bloody cold 2012 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - Current
2014 Navara V6 - Gone
2004 Vogue TD6 - Gone
Grand Cherokee - Gone
Discovery V8 (LPG) - Gone
Discovery TD5 - Gone

24th Mar 2021 9:20am

TJH1985

Member Since: 11 Feb 2015
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 663

2007 Range Rover Vogue SE TDV8 Java Black

Even the 3.0 crank issue is super rare in a FFRR - it’s a Range Rover, your taking your chances either way Sold - Bell a 2015 MY16 Loire Blue Autobiography 4.4 SDV8
Previously George a 2007 MY07 Java Black VSE 3.6 TDV8
Previously a 04 MY04 Defender 90

24th Mar 2021 9:32am

IGP

Member Since: 09 Jul 2020
Location: Malvern
Posts: 262

2013 Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8 Siberian Silver

Your "mechanic" wouldn't happen to have a 3.6 TDV8 for sale that he wants to get rid of would he?

As others have said only the 3.0 TDV6 Crank has had issues, not all but some.

Ivan 2013 Vogue SE SDV8
2013 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Luxury

24th Mar 2021 9:38am

Johannes

Member Since: 24 Mar 2021
Location: Haapsalu
Posts: 4

No he did not offer a 3.6 for sale
Thanks for all your input!
The 4.4 TDV8 is back on my agenda.

Johannes

24th Mar 2021 2:15pm

garyRR

Member Since: 13 Mar 2021
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 1359

Re: I was told to steer away from a 4.4 TDV8 and get a 3.6 T

Johannes wrote:
Hi!
Í am looking to buy an L322 and was looking at the 2012 4.4 TDV8´s as I thought these would be the most trouble free versions and then I asked a local Land Rover mechanic for his suggestions when buying a used L322 and he told me to steer way clear of the 4.4 TDV8 engine because according to him many of the 4.4 TDV8s suffer from broken cranks which will amount to huge engine repair bills.
He suggested I get the 3.6 instead as this engine does not have that issue.
Has anyone experienced such an issue with their 4.4 TDV8?
I am really tempted to get the 4.4 because of more power, better fuel economy but after hearing of such a major issue with these engines ím having second thoughts...
The cars that fit into my budget have all done around 100 000 miles.

Is the 3.6 more reliable than the 4.4?

Thanks! Johannes

Rubbish. Mmm.... Yes and no.

The new 3 litre diesel is the engine which is known to suffer from crank failure and features in the L494 Sport and L405 FF. However, I've tried researching this before and there are no statistics available on crank failure rate. You need to bear in mind that more than 90% of diesels sold by Land Rover were the 3 litre and not the 4.4L and therefore, the incidence of people reporting problems on forums and In chat is also going to be 10x higher than for the 4.4L. I've driven both and in my opinion, the 3 litre is the better car. It's plenty powerful enough, quiet and economical. The 3 litre is a fantastic engine - my dad has it in his XF. The 4.4 adds a lot of weight to the front of the Range Rovers, which noticeably impacts the handling (as well as your wallet) and for those reasons, on the newer Range Rovers, I feel the 3 litre is the better option.

So anyway, back to the L322 - The diesel choices are a 3.6 Ford V8 up to 2009 or a 4.4 Ford V8 or the petrol choices were a 4.2 Jaguar V8 or a 5.0 Jaguar V8 (the latter of each feature on the current models). Both diesels have their share of problems, both in a cared for state will do quarter of a million miles. BUT, the engine bay is crammed full enough as it is with the 3.6L, I dread to think how time intensive and difficult repair jobs are on the 4.4L and, I feel this would also make repairs more expensive as you're realistically looking at putting it into a garage for most jobs, instead of being able to do these on the driveway.

However, the 4.4L is a more refined beast and the 8 speed box is what would clinch it for me so, although I have a 3.6, the refinement of the 4.4 would win hands down. Just bear in mind it may not be too frugle compared to the 3.6 around town and, driveway repairs may be difficult.

28th Mar 2021 3:20am

Johannes

Member Since: 24 Mar 2021
Location: Haapsalu
Posts: 4

Thanks for that insight! I am currently also eyeing the L405s and especially the 3 liter diesel. I´m wondering if the crank issue on the 3 liter diesel is something that can be avoided with a preventative fix in the garage?
To my surprise the second hand L405s with the TDV6 and the SDV8 are not that far apart in terms of price. So maybe if I want to avoid an expensive engine repair in the future I should set my sight on an L405 SDV8 perhaps?

Cheers,
Johannes

28th Mar 2021 5:17am

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