cylinder head puma 2.2

Hello all,

Long story short ... my 2014 30,000 miles 2.2 puma lost power overheated and white smoke out of the exhaust. Recovered to my nearest Land Rover specialist (my first time to this garage, as it was my only option with the recovery and warranty service ). Turns out it had a cracked cylinder head, warranty wouldn't cover it and was quoted roughly £2500. Gave the garage the go ahead. This was 7 weeks ago. Since then I have been on the phone with promise of collection, every other day, but each day comes and a new problem with the car (plus an increasing bill). Blocked coolant system, timing cover leaking oil etc. Until today .. went to collect the car as promised ..again. Upon arrival the mechanic tells me he went for one last test drive and the turbo failed completely and that I need a new one.

I just want to know from people who know more than me.... is this a bit weird?

I have been researching turbo failure and it seems to point towards a starved oil supply. If this is the case i cannot help but think this is the mechanics fault. Let me explain why ... I have not had the car for 8 weeks now, in the mean time the car has been test driven multiple 100+mile journeys to make sure it was working correctly after cylinder head replacement (what I've been told anyway). With the cylinder head replacement, there should be all new oil (unless I'm mistaken). Furthermore I recall him telling me he attempted to use some sort of silicone sealant to seal an oil leak. Does that sound dodgy?

My question is .. has the mechanic messed up my defender by not replacing the cylinder head correctly or using the right techniques which has caused all these problems? and attempting to charge me £5000+ for their mistakes.

Or am I being naive and a complete turbo failure is common after a cylinder head cracks and gets replaced.


any help or advice would be much appreciated .

Cheers Kev

Mav9009 said:

Hello all,

Long story short ... my 2014 30,000 miles 2.2 puma lost power overheated and white smoke out of the exhaust. Recovered to my nearest Land Rover specialist (my first time to this garage, as it was my only option with the recovery and warranty service ). Turns out it had a cracked cylinder head, warranty wouldn't cover it and was quoted roughly £2500. Gave the garage the go ahead. This was 7 weeks ago. Since then I have been on the phone with promise of collection, every other day, but each day comes and a new problem with the car (plus an increasing bill). Blocked coolant system, timing cover leaking oil etc. Until today .. went to collect the car as promised ..again. Upon arrival the mechanic tells me he went for one last test drive and the turbo failed completely and that I need a new one.

I just want to know from people who know more than me.... is this a bit weird?

I have been researching turbo failure and it seems to point towards a starved oil supply. If this is the case i cannot help but think this is the mechanics fault. Let me explain why ... I have not had the car for 8 weeks now, in the mean time the car has been test driven multiple 100+mile journeys to make sure it was working correctly after cylinder head replacement (what I've been told anyway). With the cylinder head replacement, there should be all new oil (unless I'm mistaken). Furthermore I recall him telling me he attempted to use some sort of silicone sealant to seal an oil leak. Does that sound dodgy?

My question is .. has the mechanic messed up my defender by not replacing the cylinder head correctly or using the right techniques which has caused all these problems? and attempting to charge me £5000+ for their mistakes.

Or am I being naive and a complete turbo failure is common after a cylinder head cracks and gets replaced.


any help or advice would be much appreciated .

Cheers Kev

Click to expand...

Hi Kev, I would be very careful if I was you, 100+ mile journeys? Surely there just being courageous and using your landy for (god knows what) perhaps the turbo is knackered also but two months waiting?

As above - be more careful than a very careful person - as it does sound as though you are being taken for a ride Got legal cover with you insurance ? if so I'd be ringing them up for some advice / getting an expert engineer in etc...

Good Luck

Whilst I agree with the above sentiments I also think a trip over with a gallon of petrol and a pack of Swan Vesta would yield some good facial expressions if nothing else

To say that mechanic is taking you for a ride would be the understatement of the century....allowing him to keep your vehicle any further beyond this point, you'd most likely end up paying more money towards "engine repair" than what the entire vehicle is worth.
......bodging oil leaks with silicone and such