Help Please--95 LWB Needs an Engine

[lindzmk2]

And I need a stiff drink!

Folks, I really need some help here. A few weeks back, I sold my nearly pristine 95 RRC with 138k on the clock because it had $10k worth of body damage to the passenger side. (I was stopped at a red light when she got hammered by a moronic 82 year old in a Toyota Camry). I was the original owner.

I bought a 95 LWB in Texas which had been owned by a Land Rover A-Technician at Land Rover Houston. It had 238k miles on the truck but I drove it and it ran STRONG and I decided it was a good investment. The suspension is strong, the swivels are in fantabulous condition, and there's not an ounce of rust on her anyway.

Just had the truck in the shop for $4300 worth of work. Coolant, tranny lines, brakes, water pump, windshield, etc. I had an oil pressure lamp on that the dealer said they couldn't re-create and assumed it was just a fault. Picked up the truck from the dealership and 5 miles up the highway, oil pressure light comes on, power is compromised, I smell that I'm leaking coolant.

I get flat-bedded back to the dealership where they determined the coolant leak was due to a bad hose installation.

Then they looked into the oil pressure light. They pulled the oil pan and said the engine is full of sludge and they can't get her to maintain a stable oil pressure. The veteran tech who's worked on my trucks for years says she needs an engine otherwise it's a crap shoot about the oil pressure and how long it will take til the engine blows.

HOW didn't they notice this engine trouble beFORE they charged me $4300 worth of work elsewhere? They did an oil and lube. If the oil was so bad and sludg-y, shouldn't they have seen it?!

I just had my buddy who is a tech with BMW and used to be with Rover go and look at the truck and he is telling me I'm an idiot and I should have just spent the $10k to fix my old truck...

I'm just devastated by this whole thing. I bought the truck "as is" in Texas, so I have no idea how the laws work down there (I got hosed, to be sure--I gave the guy $6k for the truck because I was clearly buying with my heart and not my head--but I'm telling you, the truck was running and looking great when I saw it in Texas!).

So, I need to research if I have any recourse to "sell the truck back" to the seller or something (even though I just dumped an additional $4300 into it). Does anyone know anything about used car sales in Texas?

HERE IS THE ULTIMATE LINE OF QUESTIONS:
-do I deal with the nightmare of finding a new/rebuit engine to fix the oil pressure problem? And also get an oil pump?
-or, do I just cut my losses, sell the LWB for parts? (gosh if you're from the Northeast you would absolutely KILL for a truck body to be this gorgeous and pristine)
-Assuming I dump the LWB, because I cannot be Rover-less, do I:
-buy another truck from someone else and have faith? OR, because I'm the original owner of a '95 Disco with 139k miles on it, should I just pay to get her fixed and road-worthy (she's been in storage for 3 years)

Many thanks in advance for any advice. The guy from the body shop said I would have been better off just fixing the body work on the old truck because I at least knew the engine was solid and had always had the most beautiful, clean-running oil.

I'm literally shaking because this whole thing is just one nightmare after another.

[atvsmurf]

Hmmm, I don't even have $4300 in my truck...(but then again it has no a/c and the radio works sporatically) anywho that is why I don't go to the dealership....other than the nearest one being ~2 hours away lol
If the engine was damaged due to the overheating caused by the lost/leaking hose, then it sounds like they are trying to shift the blame away from themselves...
If they looked into the original oil light issue at your request, they should have seen something, or mentioned probable causes, rather than just dismissing the issue...so in my book, it is their fault/problem... as far as taking it back to the p.o. , I don't think it is a good idea, unless you can check with his local dealership to see if they happened to have diagnosed a major problem with the truck that he neglected to inform you of...then he may be liable for repairs, or a refund...
worst case, flush the engine and run some 20w/50 with some lucas, or other additive...then drive it till she dies...

[repete]

Boy, that SUCKS! I'm in the same boat! not with an engine, but with EVERYTHING ELSE! I bought my 6th Rover this summer(1st LWB), and nothing but greif. Countless problums! I had it flat bedded home the other week for a cooked transfer case and blown c/v. I haven't even taken it off-road yet! seeing the pics you posted after you got it, I'd say that it would be worth an engine. BUT I would not pay dealer prices to install it! about 10 years ago a friend in San Diego cooked the engine out of his pristine 89 classic, and found that one of the mechanics at LR S.D. did side work. He got his engine replaced for about 1/2 the price, and a dealer mechanic did the work! As much buisness as you have given your dealer, I'd bet you know them fairly well to ask. if that don't work than I'd shop around. there are some great shops around, its just taking the time to find one. I feel your pain!!!So whats wrong with your Disco?

[lindzmk2]

This whole thing totally sucks. But my feeling is that I'm in this so deep already, I may as well keep going.

They're going to try to flush the engine today to see if they can get the sludge out and get the oil pressure back up (the oil pump is new, so may be worth a try). I'm out of the country for the next week so can't do anything about it til the first week of March anyway, at which time I'm taking the truck from the dealer to an independent shop.

They claim that the coolant leak was due to a faulty hose they put on the truck. I didn't drive far at all as I was pissing the coolant, so they definitely think the engine and oil pressure issue are separate from the coolant issue. When I talked to the tech last night, he said he doesn't think the bearings are spun because the engine runs quiet when cold and only gets loud and funky when the truck gets up to temperature.

I thought about it last night (didn't sleep very much) and I want a 4.2 engine in this truck. And I feel like a pristine--no rust--LWB (remember, she came from Texas) is better than a LWB with a great motor rusted to bits. As someone who's owned two 1995 Rovers in the Northeast for 13 years, I was absolutely amazed by how gorgeous this Texas truck is. The swivels, even with 238k miles, look perfect.

My challenge is now which independent shop to use. I've heard good things about the Import Specialist in Dumont, NJ. That would be an easy hop for me since the truck right now is at Land Rover, Paramus, NJ close by to that. However, I've had some great references for some shops up in Massachusetts and Maine. I went to Texas to get this truck. I'm willing to send her just about anywhere to get her up and running.

So if anyone knows anything about the Import Specialist, let me know. I've spoken with them on the phone and they seem quite smart about these trucks. It would certainly be easier to limp the truck with super thick oil in her over to those guys, rather than to have her flat-bedded up to MA or ME...

And ps, nothing is wrong with the Disco. I just have a real emotional attachment to her so I put her away years ago and turned her into a Museum piece.

[HaroldC]

Wow, sorry about your situation. But, you brought the rover to the dealer? That is the last place I would bring my rover, in fact I've never brought it to the dealer yet. Indy shops only, if I couldn't do the work myself.

When I was down in your area, I used Import Specialist and they were very good. Pretty honest about the situation, needed some tie-rods and replaced a leaky brake line valve. They are the best around, and really know their rovers, its all they do.

Good luck! Keep us posted on the saga......

[pie4foou]

Quality Land Rover and Range Rover Service and Repair hes got a sick classic. worked on my classic, fair price, good work. Its in Guilford CT. Mike Holland is his name

[lindzmk2]

Thanks for the reccos in NJ and CT. Will definitely shop around. I know, I'm really a dumbass for going to the dealer. But the thing is, prior to my buying this truck used in TX, I've owned my two other trucks from day-one, so always had them serviced at the dealer and just got too lazy to go elsewhere. I've always been pretty happy with the techs at Land Rover Paramus, but I just feel like this time they totally upsold me on a lot of work. Like telling someone they need a teeth cleaning when actually they really need heart bypass surgery or something. Live and learn I guess!

[lindzmk2]

UPDATE!

OK, so my '95 LWB is now out of the dealer and at the Import Specialist in Dumont, NJ. So far I've been really pleased with the level of service I'm getting there!

Yep, she needs an engine. So I'm going with the 4.6 Bosch engine. They say they will replace the radiator as well--I guess that is standard protocol?

Just to keep you posted on the running total: we're upwards of $18k. Factor in the $5k that the Insurance Company gave me for my totaled RRC (that started this whole mess), I'm still $13k in the hole... But I suspect I'll have a great truck at the end of this all!

[XtremeMarine]

Lindz; horrible situation, but the 4.6 upgrade will make you fall in love all over again. I replaced my 4.0 with a 4.6 in my 02' DII, and it was a whole new truck. I sincerely hope that you have no issues with it for a while after this. Good luck, my dear.

[OkieRover]

My 4.6 makes me with gas was down to 1.50 a gallon like the good ol' days.
But between my 4.2 and my 4.6, my 4.6 is mucho goodo.