Engine issue and a big issue at that.....

I took my range rover p38 4.6 lpg conversion down to Gretton Motors in Cinderford last night for a service.

The diagnostics brought up a few (I would call small) issues, air bag on eas leaking, blend motor required, electric seat not working. Then the big one, he thinks the engine has had it.

Its started to lose water, and overheat. He said he's squeezed the hose and its rock hard, liquid coming out of the exhaust etc...

Now I dont know anything about mechanics and i'm fairly skint at the moment. I was wondering what the best way forward was? How much will it cost, or should it cost for a replacement engine fitted?

Also, can I use any other engine that will fit straight in and will the lpg just bolt back on?

I'm being quite vague, but i'm pretty much on the floor from this. I want to keep the car but I just cant afford thousands of pounds to put it all right.

I live in tewkesbury GLOS, is the guy in Cindeford the place to go for this kind of work or is there someone nearer/cheaper?

Any advice would be much appreciated

Hi mate, I do know the people at Grettons, they tend to be pretty good but having seen a lot of their work would not use them for my servicing and maintenance (although i do it all myself anyway). I dont know of too many others to recommend apart from BG Landrovers near Ross who do all our Land Rovers at work and Stratstone where my missus dad is a technician (that'll cost though).
There are a few indies around gloucester area though i suppose you could google it and find some.

you really need to know what the problem is, there are basically three components, the head, the head gasket and then the block.

each one is a very different cost to the others. if it is the head gasket, thats the cheapest and easyest, the heads are also relatively easy but prices vary for second hand to recons to new.

if its the block, get ready, you will need at least 1k for a repair to your current block, you can pick up second hand engines and blocks but of course there is not telling if or when you will encounter problems with it! the best way is to get your current one re linered or pick up a linered block. if you cant do the mechanics your self then you will have to pay for someones time, that wont be cheap. it can be done diy and its not that hard.

the gas kit will bolt straight back on with the modified parts from your old engine!

first thing really is to find out what the defect is and then fix from there!

Hi mate

When I got my p38 it was overheating and loosing coolant. It turned out to be the block so I used some ceramic fluid stuff that gose in the coolant and hey presto it works just fine!

Try that first before spending loads of cash!

hi just been where you are now try irontite £30 off e bay and start saving dont go for secondhand engine you could end up with what you have now . yes this stuff works and will get you back on the road goodluck and let us all know how you get on j

Thanks for all your advice guys.

I'm picking her up sat morning, the guy said he has put something in the coolant as a seal but I dont know what. I think when I get back I'll try some of this ceramic/ironite sealer your suggesting. It cant hurt on top of whatever he's already put in can it???

I'll let you know how I get on, in the meantime i'm trying to find someone closer to do any work on her. If any of you have any suggestions let me know

Thanks again fellas happy motoring

Chrisrp said:

Thanks for all your advice guys.

I'm picking her up sat morning, the guy said he has put something in the coolant as a seal but I dont know what. I think when I get back I'll try some of this ceramic/ironite sealer your suggesting. It cant hurt on top of whatever he's already put in can it???

I'll let you know how I get on, in the meantime i'm trying to find someone closer to do any work on her. If any of you have any suggestions let me know

Thanks again fellas happy motoring

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I'd find out what your mechanic has used as some of these chemical additives are not compatible with each other. You could always drain out & refill but that would be a waste unless he's used something cheap like radweld though I doubt this would work.