1st time Discovery owner, have a few questions

[troy]

Hi,

I've been on this board for a while now, and recently traded my '98 XJ http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/24715-Troy-s-98-XJ?highlight=

I purchased an '03 Discovery HSE, 87K, complete dealer service records, Silver over black, ARB Bull bar, Warn XD9000, OME springs/shocks. I got a really good deal, as it has the dreaded "Tick". The deal was good enough, that I could replace the engine and still be in good shape.

Question is, I can't seem to find any definitive answers on what to do with it. They range from "run it til it blows", to "stop driving it immediately, and tow to a mechanic".

What are your thoughts? I'd also welcome any suggestions on the best Land Rover specific sites. Stuff for ordering parts, etc.

So far I love it. It is ten times the vehicle the Jeep was. The Jeep was not without maintenance issues either.

Pics coming. Thanks,
Troy

 

[Roverhound]

How bad is the tick?
Do you want to put a new motor in it or fix this one?
Do an oil pressure check first off just to see if you bearings are ok.
Does it only tick when it's warm or always?
Have you tried to pull a plug wire from each cylinder one at a time to see if the sound changes or goes away?

 

[Wander]

Welcome to the assylum, we have your padded room ready...:ylsmoke:

Rovers north, Atantic Brittish, Brittish Pacific are all good large sources. Roverguy (Will Tillery) PT Schram, and George at Rovers Down South are great smaller scale sourced and often have used parts and trim items that you migth not to replace with new.

Discoweb is a more LR focused site but be warned, it is not always a polite place.

I wasn't sure if your question on what to do with it was in reference to the engine tick of the vehicle as a whole.

 

[troy]

Thanks for the tips.

The "What to do with it" is in reference to the engine. It barely ticks when cold, but gets louder when engine is at operating temp. It only seems to be present below 1,500 rpm. I will test the oil pressure.

The reason I ask is it even possible to fix the tick? I've read many instances where heads, lifters, rockers, etc. are replace only for the tick to reappear. The oil pump issue doesn't seem to have an easy solution, but I'm pretty new to the rover world.

It really sounds like a lifter tick, but I've heard it could be an exhaust valve, oil pump, or bearings. This does not sound like a bearing issue from my past engine experiences.

I mainly don't want to throw money at soomething if history has proven it should just be lived with.

Is it common for people to add an oil pressure gauge? Seems strange it does not have one. I have decided to buy an OBDII reader. It has already triggered an SES light.

Luckily, we have a Honda Pilot for family trips and the wife's DD. I welcome the padded room, and am expecting to spend a fair amount of time wrenching.


Thanks,
T

 

[AxeAngel]

Congrats!
I have an 03 Disco and an 04. As for the tick keep a close eye on oil level and oil pressure. Installing an oil pressure gauge is a good idea. My oil pump on the 03 blew at 120k miles, I subsequently replaced the motor. If the oil pump blows you can get away with replacing the bearings and the oil pump as long as your crank is still good.

If/when the time comes let me know if you need a fresh 4.6, I have one with low miles, new headgaskets and pumps if you need.

Where are you located?

 

[troy]

Thanks,

I'm located near Minneapolis, MN. I priced out replacement 4.6s, so I knew what the worst case scenario was before I bought it. If someone has a write-up of suggestion of where to mount an oil pressure gauge, I'm all ears.

 

[AxeAngel]

http://www.lrrforums.com/showthread.php?p=178203

 

[dcwhybrew]

If you cant fix the problem causing the tick and you have to replace the block roverlandparts.com is a good source for engines.

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

You may also have two other issues that need to be looked at - as I had a "tick" in my Range Rover classic that I thought was lifters- Turned out to be an exhaust leak combined with a bad cat.

Just may want to check.

D

 

[AxeAngel]

Exhaust manifold gaskets are always a good place to start too

-Sam

 

[Roverhound]

If you cant fix the problem causing the tick and you have to replace the block roverlandparts.com is a good source for engines.

If you like to buy used parts for new part prices it's great.

 

[dcwhybrew]

If you like to buy used parts for new part prices it's great.

Since he's talking about possible engine replacement, where can you get a new 4.6 with top end new for $3,250? I searched AB, British Pacific, RoversNorth, etc and none of them have new 4.6 in stock. AB has a 4.0 BOSCH short block in stock for $4,495. So I disagree. But this is just one example.

http://www.roverlandparts.com/discovery-engine-complete.aspx

 

[greenrover]

Congrats on the DII.

come on over to Land Rover Forums. There have been some successful resolutions to the tick.

http://landroverforums.com/forum/discovery-ii-18/

Mine went away after I fixed a persistent timing cover leak (including water pump seal, crank seal, etc). The leak was most likely resulting in lower oil pressure. I also use 10w-40 mineral oil, which runs a little thicker than than synthetic.

Many have driven for 10s of thousands of miles, just choosing to ignore the tick. Others have driven themselves insane. Some investigation is warranted.

Welcome to the club.

Best,
Dave

 

[LtFuzz]

Since he's talking about possible engine replacement, where can you get a new 4.6 with top end new for $3,250?

http://www.roverlandparts.com/discovery-engine-complete.aspx

They both have >44k miles.

Not saying it isn't a good price, but it isn't "new", strictly speaking. :coffeedrink:

 

[Roverhound]

Since he's talking about possible engine replacement, where can you get a new 4.6 with top end new for $3,250? I searched AB, British Pacific, RoversNorth, etc and none of them have new 4.6 in stock. AB has a 4.0 BOSCH short block in stock for $4,495. So I disagree. But this is just one example.

http://www.roverlandparts.com/discovery-engine-complete.aspx

Did you actually read what they have? Those are used motors and they are out of stock anyway.
I can sell motors for $30 and look great as long as they are out of stock. People can say, "He's got great prices!", and they're right. I just don't have anything to sell at those prices.
Check in two months, they will still be out of stock.