@ 65MPH, I HEARD A MUFFLED 'POP' COMING FROM BENEATH AND IN FRONT, AND MY 2006 RANGE ROVER SPORT SUPERCHARGED IMMEDIATELY LURCHED. A GEAR WHINE PROCEEDED, WHICH WOULD REACT IN PITCH TO MY RATE OF SPEED. FEATHERING THE THROTTLE IMPACTED THE NOISE, AND I SUSPECTED MY FRONT DIFFERENTIAL, OR A FRONT WHEEL BEARING. AS IT WAS EXTREMELY COLD OUTSIDE, AND EXTREMELY LATE, I BABIED THE SPORT THE REMAINING 10 MILES HOME, WHERE I RAISED THE TRUCK AND CONFIRMED A GREAT DEAL OF HEAVY VISCOSITY FLUID HAD COATED THE BOTTOM OF MY VEHICLE, EMANATING FROM THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL, ON THE LEFT (US DRIVER'S) SIDE. IT CAUSED QUITE A BIT OF SMOKE, HAVING PAINTED ITSELF ON TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THAT LAND ROVER HAS ISSUED A SPECIAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON FRONT DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE, SAYING THAT ON EARLY MODELS, THE INSIDE OF THE DIFFERENTIALS WERE COATED WITH A PAINT THAT DELAMINATES, MIXING WITH THE GEAR FLUID AND CONTAMINATING IT, CAUSING OVERHEATING AND BEARING/SEAL FAILURE. I AM OUT OF WARRANTY (THE TRUCK IS NOW @ 50K MILES), AND HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH LAND ROVER TO PETITION TO GET THIS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS, APPARENTLY, IS A COMMON PROBLEM - ENOUGH SO THAT THEY ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ADMITTING A FAULT. *TR
2008
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
7:30 AM ON LIE (495) WESTBOUND FROM EXIT 49 TO 41. ALL THREE LANES ARE BUMPER TO BUMPER EXCEPT THE HOV LANE WHICH LOOKS LIKE A GHOST LANE. MY WIFE AND I SEE THIS PICTURE EVERYDAY AS WE RIDE TOGETHER TO WORK. PAINFULLY, EVENTHOUGH WE'RE ENTITLED TO USE THIS LANE WE CANNOT ENTER FOR A 5-MILE STRETCH DUE TO DOUBLE SOLID LINE BARRIER. WHAT IS THE RATIONALE OF SUCH A BARRIER? IT CAUSES MORE TRAFFIC AS IT PREVENTS THE HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLES TO ENTER HOV LANE AND ADDS MORE CARS TO BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC. IT DISCOURAGES PEOPLE FROM CAR POOLING SINCE REDUCES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE HOV LANES. I THINK THE HOV LANE SHOULD BE FREE TO ENTER FROM ANYWHERE FOR HOV'S (AS IN MOST STATES, SUCH AS FLORIDA). IF THE BARRIER IS A "MUST HAVE" FOR LIE, AT LEAST THE ENTRANCES SHOULD BE EVERY A MILE OR TWO ( NOT FIVE MILES OR EIGHT EXITS APART). I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE A RESPONSE. I WILL EVEN APPRECIATE MORE IF YOU COULD SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. DR. ALAN SEZER *TR