Ingenium 2.0 diesel timing chain rattle and stretch

Which cars and engines are affected?

This page covers the timing chain on the 2.0 Ingenium diesel, engine codes AJ200D and 204D, fitted from 2015. One Land Rover parts specialist lists it in these models:

• Range Rover Evoque (L538 and L551)
• Discovery Sport (L550)
• Range Rover Velar (L560)
• Discovery 5 (L462)

If you are not sure which engine your car has, put the registration in the enquiry form and we will check. For other work on these cars, see our Land Rover and Range Rover specialist page.

What are the symptoms?

The early sign is a metallic rattle when the engine starts from cold. If the wear carries on, the same specialist reports:

• hesitation
• warning lights
• misfires
• a low oil pressure warning
• the engine cutting out

If you hear a cold-start rattle, book an inspection before it gets worse. When you do, tell us when the noise happens, how long it lasts and whether any warning lights are on.

What causes it?

The chain stretches, or the tensioner weakens, so the chain is no longer held tight and the valve timing drifts.

The specialist links the wear to the engine oil. When diesel particulate filter (DPF) regenerations do not finish, for example on short trips, fuel can wash into the oil and thin it. Long gaps between oil changes make the wear worse. Our page on Land Rover DPF problems and oil dilution explains that side of the problem.

How do you confirm the fault before fitting parts?

A fault code is not a repair, and a rattle is not a diagnosis. Before we quote for any parts, we:

• read the fault memory with our diagnostic equipment, looking for camshaft and crankshaft timing faults and oil pressure faults
• listen to the engine at a cold start
• check the oil for metal particles and for fuel
• where needed, look inside the cylinders through the injector or glow-plug openings for damage

We then show you what we found, with photos, and send a written price. No part is fitted until you give your written approval.

What does the repair involve?

It depends on what the checks find:

• Engine undamaged. If the crankshaft and valves are intact, we replace the timing chain, guides and tensioners.
• Engine damaged. If the pistons or bearings are damaged, new timing parts will not cure it and the engine needs replacing. We explain the options and price each one in writing.

We also put right whatever caused the wear, so the new parts are not exposed to it. That means checking the DPF, the turbo and the engine breather, and repairing them where needed. We repair DPF systems; we never remove or disable them.

Once the work is done, we check that the noise has gone at a cold start and verify the repair, including a road test where appropriate.

How long does a timing chain repair take?

It depends on what the inspection finds, and on whether the engine needs timing parts only or more.

Before any work starts, you get a written price and a promised time for your next update. If the car needs to stay with us, ask about a courtesy car when you book.

Is there a recall for the Ingenium timing chain?

Whether a recall applies depends on the individual car, so check your registration on gov.uk. Recall work is done by Land Rover’s network, not by us.