Discovery 5

AdBlue Issues – Diesel Models

Diesel variants of the Land Rover Discovery 5 are all equipped with SCR technology as standard. Selective catalytic reduction is an advancement on traditional catalytic converters, it is a filtration system that injects Urea (AdBlue) directly into the exhaust system to neutralize harmful Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions coming through the exhaust.

SCR systems can be quite sensitive and expensive to maintain, for example, if the system runs out of AdBlue, the car will not start until the system is topped up, but if overfilled, the NOx sensors can sometimes fail and these are not cheap to replace.

The SCR system fitted to the Disco 5 could also start injecting (dosing) too much AdBlue into the exhaust, leading to increased consumption if there is a fault in the system such as contamination or a NOx sensor failure. If you have noticed an increase in AdBlue consumption or any other unusual behavior from the SCR system, you will need to book your Discovery in for diagnostics.

Diagnose SCR System Fault – £73.20 inc. VAT Per Hour

NOx Sensor Replacement – £610 inc. VAT

DPF Failure – Diesel Models

All diesel Land Rover models have been equipped with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) for a long time now and the Discovery 5 is no different. The DPF catches all the soot emitted through the exhaust system and keeps it there until it can be burnt off cleanly in extreme temperatures. This is called DPF regeneration. DPF Regeneration occurs passively when the vehicle is run up to temperature at high speed.

If the vehicle isn’t used for on long runs semi-regularly, the DPF will fill up and an active regeneration will take place. An active DPF regen is where extra fuel is injected into the engine, raising the combustion temperature. Some owners may not realise when a regeneration is happening and they will switch the vehicle off before a regeneration is successfully completed, so the system will still be blocked. This can cause the red DPF warning light to appear on the dash with the message “Exhaust Filter Full Visit Dealer”.

We encounter this with all diesel Jags, Land Rovers and Range Rovers at K Motors and try to diagnose the fault at first, if diagnostics does not reveal any failed sensors we then try a forced regeneration using our Autologic diagnostic systems before proceeding to manually cleaning the DPF. Unfortunately though, sometimes an expensive new DPF is the only cure.

DPF Diagnostics – £73.20 inc. VAT Per Hour

Force DPF Regeneration – £110 inc. VAT

Manual DPF Clean & Regeneration – £300 inc. VAT

Replace Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) – P.O.A

To read more on DPF systems and maintenance, please take a look at our complete article on DPF Maintenance.

Timing Chain Failure – 2.0 Ingenium Diesel

Timing chain failure is a well known problem on 2.0 Ingenium diesel engines up to 2019, including those used in the Discovery 5, this is due to poor construction of the chains, causing them to stretch. This initially causes a rattling noise on cold start and sometimes a restricted performance message on the dash.

If failing timing chains are left for too long, they can jump time or snap causing the pistons to hit the valves, effectively destroying the engine. The plastic guides that the chains run along can also cause problems too. As they wear over time, plastic particles from the guides can make their way into the engine oil pickup system blocking it, this can lead to spun crankshaft bearings causing a bottom end failure as well as turbo failures due to insufficient oil supply.

If you have failing timing chains the solution is to replace them with the revised 2019 on JLR chains along with new guides, idlers and tensioners.

Replace Timing Chains, Tensioners, Idlers and Guides – £2141 inc. VAT

To read more about this issue, please take a look at our full article on 2.0 Ingenium timing chains.

Turbocharger Replacement – Diesel Models

Turbo failure is not unheard of in diesel Discovery 5 models. Turbo failure is characterised by loss of power along with an engine management light.

If Turbo failure is caused by an oil leak on the turbocharger itself and that leak gets into the exhaust system, you will notice a large amount of blue smoke coming from the exhaust, the level of smoke will likely increase under acceleration as this will cause the turbocharger to spin faster.

Sometimes, a turbocharger will produce other symptoms shortly before failure, you may hear a siren like whining or whistling noise that gets progressively worse. Whilst this is likely to just be a failing boost hose, turbos can make noises like this if they are on their way out.

Because turbos are made to such fine tolerances, any contamination in the oil delivery system could potentially cause a new turbo to fail shortly after installation. When fitting new turbos, K Motors will perform a full engine flush and will recommend replacement of parts which we feel are at risk of contamination including intercoolers, feed pipes and filter screens.

Replace Turbocharger Unit Only | 2.0 Ingenium Diesel – Prices Start From P.O.A

Replace Turbocharger Unit Only | 3.0 Diesel – Prices Start From P.O.A

To learn more about turbocharger issues on Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles, please take a look at our full article on turbochargers.

Front Anti Roll Bar Bushes

Anti roll bars are used to help keep a vehicle level when cornering, they have two rubber bushes around them (D bushes). These D bushes are held by a clamp attached to the subframe. These bushes start to perish and wear over time and your steering will start to feel ‘woolly’ and the body control of the vehicle will just feel less stable.

Worn D bushes can also cause a clunk when cornering as the rubber can no longer support the anti-roll bar under load. It may also feel like the vehicle is moving or jumping further over to the opposite direction that you are turning, these are all signs that the anti-roll bar bushes are worn and need replacing.

Replace Both Anti-Roll Bar Bushes – £291 inc. VAT

Front Suspension Tie Bars

Front suspension tie bars (drop links) are the small double ended ball joints connect the upper suspension arm to the front anti-roll bar and help keep the vehicle stable and help to prevent oversteer.

A metal rattle/knock when travelling over small bumps or potholes is generally an sign of worn drop link ball joints. Replacement on the Discovery 5 is a straightforward procedure, however, because of their location it is common for the nut and thread on the ball joint ends to be corroded and seized. This makes it very difficult to lock the ball joints in position and undo the nut.

Replace 1x Front Suspension Drop Link (OEM) – £118 inc. VAT

Front Suspension Arms

One of our most common tasks our the workshop is replacing front lower suspension arms. These often go undetected until excess play is found in the the lower suspension bushes on an MOT. Whilst it is possible to replace failed control arm bushings, it is much quicker to just replace the complete arm as it’s very difficult to remove the worn bush and then press in a new one perfectly straight.

When new arms are installed, it is important to perform a full 4 wheel alignment (checking both toe and camber), otherwise you will find your Disco might be pulling to one side, crab walking on full lock or shredding your tyres.

The main symptom of lower arm/bushing failure is a clonk or knock from the front suspension, mostly noticeable at low speed, a quick way to verify that lower arms are the issue is to is to drive the vehicle forward and back at a slow speed and apply the foot brake. If you hear a clonk as soon as the brakes are applied then it is very likely to be worn lower suspension arm bushes.

Replace Front Lower “Curved” Suspension Arm (OEM) – £258 inc. VAT

Replace Front Lower “Straight” Suspension Arm (OEM) – From £210 inc. VAT

Front Hub And Bearing

The Discovery 5 is a heavy vehicle and this causes stress on all four corners, because of this, bearing failure is common on these vehicles. If you are hearing a grinding or rumbling noise at a front wheel that worsens when turning and is louder at faster speeds, this often indicates a worn front wheel bearing. To check, jack up the wheel and feel for play by rocking the wheel from top to bottom. If you can feel movement then the hub and bearing need to be replaced. Sometimes when rotating the wheel there will also be a rough sensation or noise as it moves.

It is important to replace worn front wheel bearings before they fail completely as the wheel may separate from the vehicle!

Replace Complete Front Hub And Bearing – P.O.A

Discovery 5 Air Suspension Faults

The air suspension system used on the Discovery 5 has received widespread praise from its owners over its refinement and capability, however, it is a complex system and it can develop similar faults to other JLR vehicles using air ride suspension.

Air suspension faults are generally indicated by a yellow or red light in the shape of a car with an arrow over the top of it on the dashboard info screen with various warning messages shown below. Selecting different height options may not be possible and the vehicle may sit lower than usual.

Symptoms of air suspension failure could be one or more corners will not raise, the vehicle is slow to raise and will only go to standard ride height and will not go in off road or access mode. The same symptoms and warnings can be caused by any of the issues listed below. We always advise a full diagnostic check and calibration to narrow down the cause before removing or changing any parts.

Diagnostics – £73.20 inc. VAT Per Hour

Suspension Calibration – £73.20 inc. VAT

Replace Air Suspension Compressor (OEM) – P.O.A

Replace Suspension Compressor (Genuine LR) – P.O.A

Replace 1x Air Suspension Height Sensor (OEM) – P.O.A

Replace Air Suspension Valve Front (Genuine LR) – P.O.A

Replace Air Suspension Valve Rear (Genuine LR) – P.O.A

Replace Air Suspension Reservoir Tank (OEM) – P.O.A

Suspension Strut And Air Bag

If the vehicle suspension will not raise over one wheel and height sensors, valves and all the other faults listed above have been ruled out then it is likely to be a split or leak in a suspension air bag.

Rear suspension air bags are not mounted to the shock absorber and can be replaced seperately, unfortunately, this is not the case with the front struts, they come as a complete unit.

Replace 1x Front Suspension Strut And Air Bag (OEM) – P.O.A

Replace 1x Rear Suspension Air Bag (OEM) – P.O.A

Replace 1x Rear Suspension Strut And Air Bag (OEM) – P.O.A

Rear Wheel Hub And Bearing

A grinding or rumbling noise at a rear wheel that gets worse the faster you travel often indicates a worn rear wheel bearing. To check, jack up the offending wheel and feel for play by rocking the wheel from top to bottom. If there is any excess movement then the hub and bearing need to be replaced. Wheel bearing failure is also spotted sometimes when rotating the wheel by feeling and listening for roughness.

It is important to replace worn wheel bearings before they fail completely as the wheel may separate from the vehicle!

Replace complete hub and bearing (SNR) – £375 inc. VAT

Brake Discs and Pads

Brake discs and pads are a service item but they are known to wear quite quickly on Discovery models due to their size and weight. If low brake pads are spotted early enough before any damage is caused to the disc then just the pads can be changed. If brake pads have worn down low enough that the metal backing has hit and scored the discs then it is advisable to change both for optimum performance.

The average life of brake discs is around 32,000 miles, after this they are likely to be considered too thin and will have a lip around the edge. When there is a lip, new pads will take too long to bed in and this will likely cause a squealing sound each time you apply the brakes. Generally once the warning light has come on it is too late and both pads and discs will need to be changed.

Replacement Pads – Front – Starting From £219 inc. VAT

Replacement Discs & Pads – Front – Starting From £371 inc. VAT

Replacement Pads – Rear – Starting From £272 inc. VAT

Replacement Discs & Pads – Rear – Starting From £413 inc. VAT

Door Lock Replacement

The Discovery 5 also suffers from the door latch failures that other Land Rover models are prone to. Symptoms include being unable to lock the vehicle or you may be able to activate the central locking but you can still open one of the doors. All parts of the latch mechanism are contained in a sealed unit and need to be replaced as a complete assembly.

Replace Door Latch Mechanism (Genuine LR) – P.O.A