Land Rover Repair: 2004 Land Rover Discovery engine problem, land rover discovery, 2004 land rover discovery

Question
In Aug. 2011 I took in my 2004 Land Rover Discovery SE7 with 126,000 miles for an oil change; I also told them to check over because during the last month it had failed to start up immediately two or three times but would start after a short wait. They told me I needed a starter, and when they got in to repair they found it had oil in the starter and told me I'd need to have the valve cover gaskets replaced. I agreed as they said if I didn't have them replaced the new starter would go out. During the test drive after repairs they discovered another oil leak, the lower intake gasket. I decided to take it to a shop that worked mostly on Land Rovers. First, I drove it home and checked the oil twice a day. I found it was leaking a quart every 3 days. When I took it to the Rover shop they told me I needed all the gaskets replaced, head gasket and all and that I should be able to drive it another 80-100,000 miles as it ran so good. I agreed to this expensive job over $3000, and when they completed the job 4 days later they said all I needed was a full tank of gas and I could go anywhere. I drove about 5 miles and started smelling oil. I drove home and the next morning there was oil all on the driveway; it was a quart low. I drove it back to the shop after putting in oil. That was September 30th. My Land Rover has been in tha shop since that time and today is Nov. 4th. They've told me they can't get the gasket to stay on as there is pressure building up. They said it was two bad cylinders so they would need to replace the pistons and rings in those two nnd hone the cylinders. This would cost over $1000 but I seemed to have no choice and the owner said it was the problem and the pressure buildup situation would be eliminated aftr doing this. That was a week ago, and I was told yesterday that this didn't work and it needs a new motor and I should come and pay them and take it to trade in on another car. They said the gasket will not stay on as the pressure is still building up and blowing it out. I need an expert's opinion as I am worried now that a lot of damage has been done to my Rover by taking it apart and honing the cylinders. I have never had any problems with the motor before.

Answer
My guess is that the crankcase ventilation system is plugged.  If the truck builds pressure and blows gaskets that is almost surely the reason.  That has nothing to do with pistons and cylinders; I have no idea why they did any work there.  I have never seen a Land Rover engine with oil leaks that could not be fixed.

The crankcase ventilation is in the valve covers so engine disassembly is not involved in the repair.  

It's hard to second guess another shop far away from an owner's story but it sure sounds like some errors were made in the progression of diagnosis and unsuccessful repair.