The 2010 TDV8 4.4 Range Rover L322 has gained notoriety for a recurring water leak issue. This evening, whilst I was out, a peculiar incident occurred as a four-way branch coupling of the radiator hose atop the engine unexpectedly fractured, resulting in considerable water spillage.
Subsequently, the dashboard was illuminated with various warning indicators akin to a festive display – indications of charging failure, restricted performance, and low coolant level, among others. Upon lifting the bonnet, the culprit was readily discernible, situated prominently at the engine’s apex.
It required several intermittent stops and the addition of 9 litres of water to cover the mere 10-mile journey back home.
We all know Range Rover spare parts are not cheap. Regrettably, the individual coupling is not available for purchase separately; it is solely obtainable as part of a package including the adjacent hoses. This complete set is priced at approximately £80 (identified by part number LR029140).
I’m not too keen on shelling out £80 just to replace a tiny piece of broken plastic. So, I thought, why not give fixing it a go? Here’s what I did.
Since I’ve got a couple of heart stents myself, I thought stenting might be the way to go. The joint doesn’t seem like it’s under that much pressure anyway, so fingers crossed this DIY job will hold up.
And voilà, here’s the culprit:
I manually cleared away some debris with a drill bit to remove any gunk and residue stuck inside the holes.
Now, here’s a neat trick: I found a small piece of brake pipe that happens to be just the right size to serve as a makeshift stent. Give it a good clean with a file or sandpaper to ensure it fits snugly and chamfer the ends slightly for a smoother finish.
Thoroughly cleanse the interiors of the pipes and the damaged area with methylated spirits or a similar solvent, using a cotton bud for precision. Then, ensure complete dryness by using a hairdryer until it’s bone dry. This not only eliminates any residual moisture but also allows for a slight expansion of the plastic.
Apply Araldite to one half of your improvised stent and carefully insert it using long-nose pliers, twisting gently as needed for a secure fit. Then, proceed to apply Araldite to the other side of the stent.
Keep the stent securely in position using the long-nose pliers as you align the pipe to ensure an even distribution, approximately 50/50 on each side. Once properly aligned, smoothly slide the pipe into place while gradually releasing the grip of the long-nose pliers.
Looks alright to me and no £80 going on. Takes less than ten minutes.
You don’t have to spend £80 on a LR029140 four-way hose coupling. This fix has been trouble-free for four years now.
Now you have saved £80 by reading this, you can afford a set of our super Range Rover centre wheel caps and still have fifty quid left over.