i've read and heard that disco II's are notorious for blowing their headgaskets at some point. i've got 81k on my disco II and still running the original gaskets. i was just wondering how many miles others are experiencing before having to replace head gaskets or any other major expense parts/labor. You always hear from those who have had to replace gaskets, but i would like to hear from those who haven't had to replace anything major and have high milage on their disco II's. thanks
200k on a Disco II??
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timmy!!!!!!!
Explorer
I agree with michael. Actually my doctor has a 99 D2 and I dont' think the HG have been replaced the last time I saw it at 188k
wow 188k, thats the highest milage i've heard of on a disco II with out having to replace anything major.
i figured as much. what i'm really trying to figure out is, how reliable is the disco II engine.
R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
I think it's a crap shoot. There's no way you'll ever get a real good idea about how long a particular engine will last based on the relatively low sample size you get from a forum such as this. Sounds to me like the D2 engine does have a propensity for blowing head gaskets which is a failure that is really rare for most modern engines. But even at that, some seem to go the distance. It doesn't seem to me that the head gasket failure is the near-100% failure rate like you get on the front driveshaft.
Christophe Noel
Expedition Leader
My head casket blew at 63,000 miles which, according to my Rover mechanic, said is about as normal as he's seen. He said of the dozen DII head gaskets he's done, all were within 45k and 75k. But, who knows how many DIIs drove right by his shop with more miles and a fine HG. My water pump went at 75,000 miles, which again sounds normal.
I've had my front drive shaft inspected three times and it still makes me nervous. I should just replace it, huh?
I've had my front drive shaft inspected three times and it still makes me nervous. I should just replace it, huh?
R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
I checked my driveshaft every oil change, and when it started to go I got maybe 100km out of it before I pulled it. I had checked it maybe a few 1000 miles earlier at the last oil change. Then, I just started feeling a slight vibration one morning. I drove it back home and it was about the same. The next morning it was worse and I was sure it was the shaft. I had to limp the truck back home trying to keep the speeds way down just in case.
At the very least, refresh the U-joints if you're "due". Most especially because of the damage it could cause.
With the head gaskets, it could be that... it's either going to go, or it's not going to go. If it's going to go, I guess it goes in that range. So it seems like "they all go in that range". But the person stating it just isn't aware of the ones that haven't failed, and they are out there.
I've NEVER heard of somebody with 100,000 miles on the stock driveshaft. Changing the joints is cheap and easy, at best it'll leave you with 2wd, at worst it'll destroy your tranny. Just do it.
At the very least, refresh the U-joints if you're "due". Most especially because of the damage it could cause.
With the head gaskets, it could be that... it's either going to go, or it's not going to go. If it's going to go, I guess it goes in that range. So it seems like "they all go in that range". But the person stating it just isn't aware of the ones that haven't failed, and they are out there.
I've NEVER heard of somebody with 100,000 miles on the stock driveshaft. Changing the joints is cheap and easy, at best it'll leave you with 2wd, at worst it'll destroy your tranny. Just do it.
Z O O R O P A
Explorer
I'm confused
what do you replace your front driveshaft with?
what told you your DS was going? vibration? when braking or just driving or turning? etc
details please. I have 55K on my 2004 rig and I get a vibration up front from time to time - usually when braking but not always - I assumed it was perhaps a pad issue as it is usually when I'm turning and braking etc an ever so slight vibration
My HG blew on my D1 at 60K
How do the 4.6 2004 Dll engines compare when it comes to HG? any difference?
thanks
what do you replace your front driveshaft with?
what told you your DS was going? vibration? when braking or just driving or turning? etc
details please. I have 55K on my 2004 rig and I get a vibration up front from time to time - usually when braking but not always - I assumed it was perhaps a pad issue as it is usually when I'm turning and braking etc an ever so slight vibration
My HG blew on my D1 at 60K
How do the 4.6 2004 Dll engines compare when it comes to HG? any difference?
thanks
R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
I'm not sure I could explain to you how all the different vibrations feel with text. The biggest difference is the frequency. Imbalanced tires, bent wheels, and bad brakes all tend to vibrate at about the same frequency. That is, the frequency the wheels are turning at. Most people are used to this and should (hopefully) instinctively know it.
The driveshaft vibrated at a much higher frequency. I knew right away it wasn't the tires. The vibration was there driving straight ahead mostly. It got harder as I stepped on the gas, and also got harder as my speeds increased.
Confusing things... bad wheel bearings can vibrate at the frequency of the tires, or at a higher frequency, depending on how they're failing.
I replaced the shaft with a Tom Woods shaft. It's supposed to be the be-all end-all... but caveat, some people have had vibrations caused be the TW shaft. I can't comment on that as mine is fine. You could also just have the U-joints replaced with new replacements. Either OEM type sealed units and hopefully you should be good for another 50k, or go with a greasable joint like the Neapco 1-0005 if you're doing a lot of off-roading and grease it regularly.
The driveshaft vibrated at a much higher frequency. I knew right away it wasn't the tires. The vibration was there driving straight ahead mostly. It got harder as I stepped on the gas, and also got harder as my speeds increased.
Confusing things... bad wheel bearings can vibrate at the frequency of the tires, or at a higher frequency, depending on how they're failing.
I replaced the shaft with a Tom Woods shaft. It's supposed to be the be-all end-all... but caveat, some people have had vibrations caused be the TW shaft. I can't comment on that as mine is fine. You could also just have the U-joints replaced with new replacements. Either OEM type sealed units and hopefully you should be good for another 50k, or go with a greasable joint like the Neapco 1-0005 if you're doing a lot of off-roading and grease it regularly.
Z O O R O P A
Explorer
thank you Rob
as always, very informative and helpful
greatly appreciated
as always, very informative and helpful
greatly appreciated
Christophe Noel
Expedition Leader
Hey Rob,
Is it primarily the front drive shaft that is the problem child? I think I've become a better Rover owner these days as I'm continually evaluating every thunk, vibration, wobble or tick. I've yet to feel a vibration I can't attribute to brake discs, etc, which have been replaced.
Is it primarily the front drive shaft that is the problem child? I think I've become a better Rover owner these days as I'm continually evaluating every thunk, vibration, wobble or tick. I've yet to feel a vibration I can't attribute to brake discs, etc, which have been replaced.
R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
Yes, apparently on the front. The rear isn't being dripped on by AC condensate, nor being baked by the cats. Also, it's failure won't destroy the trans... though I have to think if it dropped to the ground while moving, it would ruin your day.
I'll be replacing that U-joint now that I've got a new front shaft, just because. It's $15, what the heck.
I'm not an expert on this stuff, just trying to relay what I've learned, since none of the real experts are speaking up or around anymore.
I'll be replacing that U-joint now that I've got a new front shaft, just because. It's $15, what the heck.
I'm not an expert on this stuff, just trying to relay what I've learned, since none of the real experts are speaking up or around anymore.