Range Rover Diesel Problems? Glow Plug vs DPF Issues!

Hey there! I have some experience working on diesel engines. I had a really similar issue with my 2008 Range Rover Sport diesel a couple years ago. The symptoms were almost identical to what you're describing. After trying to diagnose it myself, I took it to my trusted mechanic who confirmed it was indeed a faulty glow plug. The repair, including parts and labor, set me back about 560 Euro, definitely not cheap, but it fixed all those issues you mentioned. Just a heads up, I also have a Range Rover Velar and these symptoms can sometimes point to other problems too. Could you share your mileage and whether you've had any previous glow plug replacements? Also, when exactly did these symptoms start showing up? This info would help me give you more specific advice based on my experience. The black smoke and cold start issues are classic glow plug symptoms, but better to get a proper diagnosis to be sure.

Thanks for sharing your experience! My Range has 91368 KM on the clock and had its last service about 3 months ago. These issues started popping up just last week, pretty suddenly actually. The symptoms are getting worse each day, especially the cold starts. Haven't replaced the glow plugs before, so they're probably the originals from 2006. Guess they've had a good run! Was hoping it wouldn't be too expensive to fix, but your repair cost gives me a realistic idea of what to expect. Would you recommend I take it to the dealership or would an independent diesel specialist be just as good for this kind of repair? Thanks again for your help!

Hey again! Yeah, those symptoms definitely match what I experienced with my Range Rover. Given that your glow plugs are original from 2006, I'm not surprised they're giving up now, mine were actually younger when they failed! From my experience, I'd actually recommend a good independent diesel specialist over the dealership. When I had my glow plug issue, I initially went to the dealer and they quoted me almost double what I ended up paying at my trusted independent mechanic. The independent shop also found a small fuel filter issue that the dealer missed during their initial inspection. Just make sure whoever you choose has experience with Range Rover diesels. I learned this the hard way with my first repair attempt at a general mechanic who wasn't too familiar with these engines. Quick tip from my experience, while they're in there, it might be worth having them check your fuel injectors too. When they fixed my glow plugs, my mechanic noticed one of my injectors was starting to show signs of wear. Saved me another potential breakdown down the road! Let me know how it goes, curious to hear if your experience mirrors mine. These Range Rovers can be a bit finicky, but they're worth it when everything's running right!

Thanks so much for the detailed advice! You've definitely convinced me to go with an independent specialist, can't justify paying double at the dealership. It's really helpful to hear from someone who's been through the same thing. The tip about checking the injectors while they're working on it is really smart. Better to catch any potential issues now than have to deal with another problem later. I'll definitely mention this to the mechanic. I've actually found a well-reviewed diesel specialist who works specifically on luxury vehicles, so I'll give them a call tomorrow. Will probably book it in for next week since these cold starts are getting pretty unbearable. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and tips. You've saved me from potentially wasting money at the dealership and given me a much better idea of what to expect. I'll update once it's fixed, fingers crossed it's just the glow plugs!