The 2008 Range Rover Sport is powered by the naturally-aspirated 4.4L Jaguar V8 (not the supercharged 5.0L which came later), paired with the ZF 6HP26 automatic transmission. This generation is known for catastrophic engine failures due to nikasil bore wear and timing chain issues, plus transmission oil cooler failures that can destroy the gearbox.
Nikasil Cylinder Bore Wear / Piston Slap Leading to Engine Failure
Common · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Cold-start knock or rattle that persists 30+ seconds, Blue smoke on startup, Loss of compression, Metal shavings in oil, Catastrophic piston failure
Fix: Early Jaguar AJ-V8 engines used nikasil bore coating that wears prematurely with high-sulfur fuel, causing piston slap and eventual piston ring land failure. Requires full engine rebuild (pistons, rings, honing or re-sleeving cylinders, bearings) or short-block replacement. 25-35 labor hours for in-chassis rebuild, 18-24 for R&R plus rebuilt short block.
Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000
Timing Chain Tensioners and Guides Failure
Common · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling from front of engine on cold start, Check engine light with cam/crank correlation codes, Rough idle, Metal fragments in oil filter, Sudden loss of power or no-start if chain jumps
Fix: Plastic timing chain guides disintegrate, tensioners lose pressure. Requires front engine disassembly: both timing chains, tensioners, guides, VVT solenoids, cam phasers, plus oil pump chain while you're in there. Often done during head gasket job. 16-22 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure Causing Internal Transmission Damage
Common · high severityTypical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid in coolant (strawberry milkshake in expansion tank), Coolant in transmission (slipping, no movement), Erratic shifting, Limp mode, Complete transmission failure
Fix: Internal oil cooler in the radiator fails, allowing coolant and ATF to mix. Coolant destroys clutch packs and valve body. If caught early (only ATF in coolant), flush system and replace radiator (4 hours). If coolant entered trans, you need full transmission rebuild or replacement plus radiator, flush all cooling system. 18-24 hours total.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200 if caught early, $5,500-8,500 with transmission rebuild
Head Gasket Failure (Both Banks)
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: External coolant leaks at head/block interface, White smoke from exhaust, Overheating, Coolant loss with no visible leak, Rough idle and misfires
Fix: Multi-layer steel head gaskets fail, often due to overheating from cooling system neglect or nikasil-related hot spots. Both heads must come off (chain timing components are in the way). Smart shops do timing chains, valve stem seals, and head surface work at same time. 20-26 labor hours for gaskets alone, 28-35 if bundling timing work.
Estimated cost: $5,000-8,000 gaskets only, $8,500-12,000 with timing components
Air Suspension Compressor and Bag Failures
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Vehicle sagging on one corner or all corners overnight, Compressor runs constantly, Suspension fault warning, Inability to raise/lower ride height, Compressor thermal shutdown
Fix: Hitachi/AMK air compressor wears out or overheats from leaking bags. Air springs crack at folds or mounting points. Each corner bag is 2-3 hours; compressor is 3-4 hours under front bumper. Always inspect all four bags and lines when one fails. Compressor rebuild kits available but replacement more reliable.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200 per air spring, $1,800-2,800 for compressor
Transfer Case Fluid Pump and Chain Wear
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Grinding or whining noise from center of vehicle, Drivetrain binding in tight turns, Transfer case fault message, Fluid leaks from transfer case, Clunking when engaging high/low range
Fix: Internal fluid pump fails or transfer case chain stretches, causing poor lubrication and chain slap. Requires transfer case removal, disassembly, chain/pump replacement. Often full rebuild needed once internal damage starts. 10-14 labor hours plus case R&R.
Estimated cost: $3,000-5,000
Coolant Crossover Pipe and Thermostat Housing Leaks
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant smell in cabin, Visible coolant drips under engine, Low coolant warning, Overheating in traffic, Steam from engine bay
Fix: Plastic crossover pipes in the valley between cylinder banks crack from heat cycles; aluminum thermostat housings corrode and seep. Valley pipe requires intake manifold removal; thermostat is front of engine. Do both at once with water pump and hoses. 8-12 labor hours bundled.
Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200
Fuel Pump Control Module and In-Tank Pump Failure
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: No-start with crank but no fire, Stalling when hot, Loss of power under load, Fuel pump not priming (no hum at key-on), Intermittent cutting out at highway speed
Fix: Driver-side frame-mounted fuel pump control module (driver) fails from corrosion or heat; in-tank pump wears out. Module replacement is 1.5-2 hours; in-tank pump requires dropping fuel tank, 4-6 hours. Always check both fuel filter (service item often neglected) and supply pressure before throwing parts.
Estimated cost: $600-900 for module, $1,200-1,800 for in-tank pump
Only for enthusiasts with a $5,000+ annual repair budget and mechanical skills or a trusted independent shop—the Jaguar AJ-V8 engine is a ticking time bomb, and when it grenades, you're looking at $10K-15K to make it right.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.