Land Rover Repair: land rover 2000 disco blown engine, salvage yard, heat reduction

Question
I also have a Land Rover 2000 Disco that the engine blew.  I was told that the sleeves in the pistons were put in there to fix a knock in the engine but when they crack they destroy the engine.  My truck only has 90K miles on it .... it seems like this is something LR should take responsibility for - I still owe $14K on a truck that I can't drive and can't fix (I spent about $6K in repairs last year).  

Answer
Hi Faith,

the sleeves within aluminium engines are there for specific engineered reasons, heat reduction, combustion and compression mostly.  I have never heard about cracks developing with the sleeves.  I've heard that the welds that hold these sleeves in place can 'let go' and thus the sleeves drop.  

Usually, if aluminium engines extremely overheat, these welds melt and thus the sleeves are no longer supported.  Since the sleeves were installed when the engines were 1st created, they are next to impossible to repair.

Cracks are new to me.  I've never heard that before.  Could be argued that this is very, very rare.  If anyone else had heard of cracks in the sleeves, I'd like to know.

90,000 miles is low for a LR engine to fail.  Unless the engine was put under extreme conditions, this is rare.  If you've been kind to your Disco and have kept records of your regular maintenance, you may have a point to argue.  Probably with Head Office and not with dealer.  They would prefer you purchase a new engine.

If you do have no choice but purchase a replacement engine, you may consider www.car-part.com.  You can find a replacement engine starting from $1100 and up to $3000.  You may even be able to arrange for the salvage yard to do the install.

A low mileage salvaged engine could even be better than the one original with 90,000 miles!

I understand your position with the repairs.  I've seen this and been there myself.  If you can, the salvaged engine option is the least costly.  

I've seen some owners 'cornered' by dealerships into either trading in their Disco's for as low as $1500 or paying $9000 or more for repairs.  I've always suggested the salvage option ... and a new dealership.

If you have any more questions, I'd be glad to help.

Best of luck,

JohnMc
jmcinnis64@hotmail.com