2015 LR4 - Major engine work - Sell / Sell Parts

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TimVZ

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Have a 2015 LR4 that my wife absolutely loves. It has had its share of standard wear and tear type repairs over the last 3 years that we've owned it.

Now unfortunately it had a timing chain issue... which also resulted in cylinder head damage. $15k to fix those IF the valves were not bent or damaged. Or $19k for a new engine. It also needs a rear pinion seal and front passenger tie rod end (and then alignment). Total bill would be upwards of $21k. We have not made a final decision on if we are going to fix it or not... See first comment (my wife loves it).

A few questions:
1) Anyone have interest in purchasing as is?
2) Anyone know of a place that would have interest in purchasing?
3) Should I just start parting it out? If so, where is the best place to do so? I could do Ebay, but the fees and cut that Ebay take are crazy and new tax laws will require that I claim income on anything over $600 for the year.

I'm between Sioux Falls, SD and Sioux City, IA.
 

TimVZ

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Oil was changed every 5k.

Started with a check engine light on indicating the camshaft/crankshaft out of sync and running slightly rough. When I cleared the code the engine ran smooth, acceleration, etc. was good. Turned it off, started again and the CEL was back and same code, running slightly rough.
Replaced the sensor. Cleared the code, started again and it ran VERY rough... sounded like a diesel, scared me and I turned if off and brought it in at that point.

Service tech said, "The chain would have had to jump at least 3 sprockets to have caused interference. I highly doubt that happened." It happened. Cyclinder heads show damage from the camera they dropped in. They showed me the pictures. They won't know if the valves are bent until they get it torn down, which I haven't given them the go ahead to do and won't. At this point I'm either going to replace the whole engine, sell it, or part it out.

TBD.
 

powershift

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$21k sounds about right if it includes estimates on other parts that may need changing. Good luck parting it out. It would be better to dump it for $5k or whatever its value is if you can't swing the cost.
 

ftillier

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I think if you're not mechanically inclined and have time to do the work, these can be very expensive to keep running. Parting it out means it takes up space for a while in a state of decay. If your wife really likes the platform, you could look at picking up a new-to-you one for less maybe? No guarantee that's not a ticking time bomb too, mind you. The key question is what else could you get for 21k that would be fit for purpose?
 

scapistron

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Went through this myself last summer. 21k actually seems a little low, unless they have a salvage motor in mind instead of a reman. I paid about 19k and I did all the labor myself in the driveway. Reman long block, supercharger, all new gaskets, high pressure fuel pumps, solenoids, sensors, etc.

If I remember correctly, my local dealer (Massachusetts) said it was 35 hours of work to replace the motor.

I chose to replace the motor in mine because it has the HD package, lux trim, not a lick of rust, my wife loves lr4s, the challenge, excuse to buy more tools.
 

TimVZ

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Yep, I'm not really questioning the price. It seems about right based on what I've seen on this site and others. We could potentially find a comparable LR4 for lower cost than that and possibly a few less miles, but then as many of you have mentioned it could all happen again. Just like any vehicle.
I take on more than the average Joe's share of jobs on it and have to date (water pump, thermostat, interior switches/components, front lower control arms), but engines are beyond my comfort level.
Just waiting on the final estimates to come in and then will be pulling the trigger on that. I'll come back after and let you know how it all went.
Thanks all.
 

TimVZ

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@itsaguything - I didn't answer your earlier question. This was from a dealer. I had two LR dealers give an estimate and asked two independents. One independent said he could do timing chains, then read the tech sheets on how to do the job and backed out. 2nd independent took 3.5 weeks to get me an estimate (just for timing chains) and was a smidge higher than the one dealer. At that point there was no benefit of going independent and the more I talked with him, the more I questioned his ability to do the job.
Knowing what I know now, I'm glad I took it to a dealer.

Also, getting our heated windshield back! Yeah! Cracked original 1.5 years ago and at that time the heated ones were out of stock and on back order everywhere in the US. Put in a non JLR, unheated temporarily. I had them check on these too, and they can now get one in a couple days. This is basically no cost as it will be an insurance claim.
 

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