2008 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Coolant loss with no external leaks, White smoke from exhaust on cold start, Overheating, Coolant in oil (milky dipstick), Rough idle and misfires

Fix: The Jaguar AJ-V8 engine uses pressed-in cylinder liners that slip under heat cycling, allowing coolant into cylinders. Requires complete engine rebuild with upgraded liners or short block replacement. 25-35 labor hours for removal, rebuild, and reinstall. Many shops recommend sleeved blocks or replacement with known-good used engine.

Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Vehicle sits low, especially after sitting overnight, Compressor runs constantly (can hear it), Suspension fault warning on dash, Uneven ride height side-to-side, Compressor overheating

Fix: Air springs crack and leak, forcing compressor to work overtime until it burns out. One bag failure often cascades into compressor failure within months. Replacing all four bags preventively is wise when doing compressor. 3-4 hours for compressor, 1.5-2 hours per bag. Some owners convert to coil springs ($1,500-2,500 kit) to eliminate future issues.

Estimated cost: $2,200-4,000

Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Transmission fluid puddles under vehicle, Low trans fluid warning, Harsh shifting when fluid gets low, Visible leaks at cooler line connections near radiator

Fix: The hard lines from transmission to cooler corrode and crack at fittings, or the cooler itself develops leaks. Lines run along frame rails and are exposed to salt and debris. Requires replacement of affected lines and often the cooler assembly. 2-4 hours depending on which lines have failed. Critical to catch early before transmission damage from low fluid.

Estimated cost: $600-1,200

Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Whining or howling from rear on acceleration, Clunking when shifting from park to drive, Metal shavings in differential fluid, Vibration at highway speeds

Fix: Pinion bearings wear prematurely, and if not caught early, destroy ring and pinion gears. Requires complete differential rebuild or replacement. 6-8 hours for R&R and rebuild. Used differentials are common but verify gear oil history. This is often neglected maintenance—fluid should be changed every 50k miles but rarely is.

Estimated cost: $2,000-3,500

Typical onset: All mileages

Symptoms: Parking brake fault message, Brake won't release or engage, Grinding noise from rear brakes when applying parking brake, ABS/brake warning lights

Fix: Electronic parking brake actuators on rear calipers seize from corrosion and lack of use. Actuators and calipers often sold as assembly. If caught early, sometimes can be freed with lubrication, but typically need replacement. 2-3 hours for both sides with brake service. Use parking brake monthly to prevent seizure.

Estimated cost: $800-1,400

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Transfer case fault warning, Won't shift between high/low range or terrain modes, Grinding noise when attempting to shift, Stuck in one mode

Fix: The electric shift motor on transfer case fails, leaving you stuck in whatever mode it was last in. Motor is external and can be replaced without opening transfer case. 1.5-2 hours. Sometimes fixed temporarily by tapping motor housing while cycling ignition, but replacement is inevitable.

Estimated cost: $600-1,000

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Coolant puddles under front of engine, Overheating, Coolant smell in cabin, Low coolant warning, Visible leaks from front of engine

Fix: Plastic thermostat housing and water pump develop leaks. On this engine, they're buried and require significant disassembly. Always replace both together along with hoses when doing this job. 4-6 hours for both components. Use OEM or quality aftermarket—cheap parts fail quickly.

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000