Hi Guys.

New to the forum here so this one's my first post.

Have owned my 4.4 V8 RRS for about a year now and we love it but as with most of these, it has its faults and needs some jobs doing ... a list which I'm slowly working through.

The biggest job on the list is the dreaded start-up rattle.
Its a massive let-down on the car as we get this rattle most days on a cold start and sometimes if its been stood for a few hours.
Having read much about this issue, it seems that the problem lies with the VVT cam sprockets.

Being a capable diy mechanic with many years experience in building, restoring and modifying cars, I'm not afraid to tackle this problem BUT I'd appreciate any help and advice available on what I'm likely to encounter when embarking on this journey.

Whilst I've read about the source of the problem itself, I've not read much more about just how much of the car front end needs to be removed in order to gain access to the engine AND THEN what needs to be removed from the engine itself to be able to get at the chains and sprockets.

Therefore, I have some questions which I'm hoping I might get some advice about ...

1. Is the rattle caused by just one or both of the VVT sprockets? (I'm assuming it's only the inlet cams that have the variable timing gear fitted) I have the official Land Rover document relating to checking the for the fault itself but there is no hint to whether its one or both that contribute to the issue

2. Where is the best place to source replacement VVT sprockets?

3. What else should I be looking at replacing/renewing when doing this job? (i.e. chains/tensioners/guides/etc)

4. What gaskets/seals kits will I need?

5. What special tools will I need to do the job? (i.e. cam locking tools, fan removal tools, etc???)

6. How much of the front end needs to be removed from the car?

7. What needs to be removed from the engine to get at what I need?

8. Has anyone else tackled this issue themselves? How long did it take for them to complete the job? Approx costs?


I know this will be a big and possibly expensive job but we love the car and she's a "keeper"

Any help and advice will be greatly appreciated from somebody having had this experience previously.


Thanks Again All!

Humm. Maybe the 4.2 wouldn’t have this issue.

I think you need to remove fan.
Then aux belt
Then the massive engine cover at front. Not sure if that needs removal

Be a VVt unit per side. (Per head)
So you may want to identify whether noise is passenger or drivers side.
Make sure it’s on the correct spec oil and been changed before condemning the vvt

You may want to replace tensioners

You may want to watch this guys videos.

Several on the chains
Although it’s an earier generation engine it will give you some pointers.





Last edited by Andy K on Fri Jan 08 2021 3:58pm. Edited 1 time in total