To save the Disco II, or to let it go? Seeking advice from the Land Rover Gods.

[riverratrover]

As you other rover fans know, we all choose an expensive hobby but at some point you have got to know when to let it go. Took the Disco in to the dealer for a simple problem, and came out with a very expensive "THINGS THAT NEED TO BE FIXED SOON!!!" List.

Cylinder heads starting to leek est $2,247
T-Body Heater est $170 (can someone tell me exactly what this does")
Reseal the transfer case est $1578

I truly love my Disco but with 107,000 on the clock I'm wondering if its time to start over. My over all goal is to have a Pan-American ready vehical in the next 2 years or so.

So should I bite the bullet and stick with the Disco (all ready did a new drive shaft, tires, breaks). Or start looking for something new which also has to act as my DD, which will add a year or two to the Pan-American trip.

I seek you advice.

 

[Z O O R O P A]

what year rig?

107K isn't a lot of miles exactly

think what buying a new rig will cost you - as opposed to investing that money in your trip and peace of mind

gl!

 

[riverratrover]

Its a 2000, Peace of mind is huge, as well as safety and comfort, but will the Disco hold out?

 

[naughtyboy]

dont know what cost is for mot ( not sure what U.S version is called ) failed vehicle is but over here you can usually pick up a disco thats failed its mot dirt cheap.
mate had prob when his cambelt snapped scrappy quoted £1200 for second hand engine.
we got complete vehicle that had failed its mot on rust off of e-bay for £800.
fitted engine in his kept loads of bits as spares ie box axles etc.
then we sold off all bits he did,nt need such as doors interior etc and made £1100 so were quids in .

worth looking at as you could get spares to carry on your trip.

 

[UK4X4]

depends on what you mean by panamerican

I would not choose A DISCO to go anwhere south of CA

Leaking head gaskets- often are the hose to the throttle heater leaking

Leaking transfer case - add oil

replacing the rear or front seal is a relatively easy job, not requiring the t case to be removed

T heater see above, by pass if required

Will Tilery is your friend for disco parts on dweb forum

Its an old buick engine, if it does need a head job any decent mechanic can do it.

the dealer bill will be aproximately the value of the truck....

 

[overlander]

Do the work yourself. If you want to take it south, you are going to need to learn how to do it. I wouldn't take any vehicle on a 3rd world extended trip without knowing everything about the vehicle inside and out, and being able to do roadside repairs to get you to the nearest city. Sounds like you have some more to learn before being self reliant, so get a manual and begin the self education. It'll pay off in years to come.

If I was doing a trip like that, I would also refresh all critical system components (all wheel bearings replaced, all main seals refreshed, all hoses replaces, etc.). If you buy another used vehicle, you would need to do it to that one as well, but you'll be starting from an unknown point, instead of a known point of repair.

 

[stu454]

Do NOT have the dealer do the work unless you like being dry-fisted.

Find a good indy shop and stick with it!

 

[SeaRubi]

Do NOT have the dealer do the work unless you like being dry-fisted.

Find a good indy shop and stick with it!

what he said. just find a good independent shop and stick with them. how much are you going to spend on a new truck, or a replacement? it will be more than a repair bill. keep your rig and git 'r done.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I agree with the above points.

First, don't go to the dealer, find an indie shop nearby. Not only might those repairs cost half as much, they may even tell you they're not required.

Secondly, this is the type of stuff you should be able to do yourself if you're planning a long road trip. Or at least, you should be able to diagnose these types of things yourself. Otherwise you'll be at the mercy of any 3rd world mechanics, much like you are at the mercy of them up here.

dont know what cost is for mot ( not sure what U.S version is called ) failed vehicle is but over here you can usually pick up a disco thats failed its mot dirt cheap.

At least in Ontario, Canada, there's isn't really an MOT. Vehicles are required to pass an inspection anytime you sell them. But for all intents and purposes, you can keep driving an old clunker until the wheels fall off as long as you don't sell it. Result is, vehicles deemed to be at the end of their useful life tend to be in worse shape than over there.

Not to say that you can't get something to part out, but there's less chance the major parts on it are better than your own.

 

[Z O O R O P A]

what is the best guide for do it yourself work instruction on the 2004 Dll??

looking for a comprehensive guide or guides - trail and home repairs

 

[stu454]

Really the web is a great resource provided you can sort the wheat from the chaff.

lrrforums.com is a good site with little to no flaming. discoweb.org is good is you've got thick skin.

And never forgot that you'll have repair costs or a car payment; sometimes both.

If the Disco is paid for, find an indy shop and get things looked after. The devil you know vs the devil you don't applies here.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

what is the best guide for do it yourself work instruction on the 2004 Dll??

looking for a comprehensive guide or guides - trail and home repairs

Well, obviously the Rave CD is the best for shop work. For on the trail, I'm not aware of anything specifically for the DII. I've seen a books about fixing Rovers in the field, but assume they are meant for Defenders only.

 

[lake_bueller]

T-Body Heater est $170 (can someone tell me exactly what this does")

If they're charging you that much money for a $20 part that takes 30 minutes to install, you need to find a new shop!!!

 

[Z O O R O P A]

my only real concerns are keeping an eye on manifolds/gaskets etc ABS of course but there is a wealth of info on that - maybe some electrical diagnostics

it seems the biggest issues I've had between 3 Discos is head/manifold/leaky gaskets ( one 96 D1 and 2 '04 ) - my buddy blew his manifold and the dealer wanted $8000 to replace it. A friend did it for $800 but it took him 3 weeks as it was on his own time

looking over the Land Rover schedule a lot of the 60K $1000+ services or the like from dealers is "looking over" really basic stuff that you get charged a lot for? I guess that's how they stay in bizz

 

[Mercedesrover]

I say don't spend another nickle on it. Take it south the way it is and take enough money to fly home. When it goes tits-up on you, pull the plates and buy a plane ticket.