Thread: Buying a TD5 D2, what to look out for?

Hey Richard,

Finding out what year it is would be very handy. A tip if your an avid offroader is to make sure it's got a centre diff lock.
If it's an early D2, it may not have centre diff lock unless it's been fitted aftermarket by a previous owner. They had the internals in the transfer case, but were not wired up to the H/L lever as LR thought that the TC system did just a good a job.
Some mid D2's didn't have the internal mechanism to activate the diff lock and later D2's (D2a) had the centre diff lock installed.

An airbag is a relatively easy fix, so not a problem. You can also get replacement bumper moulds at good prices too. Parts are readily available for these things from multiple sources.

The best you can hope for is a solid service history. Check for any massive leaks from the transfer case, the heads and sump. Check whether it has the ACE system installed. A very handy feature indeed.
Given it's got aribags, it's most likely as 7 seater....
TD5, look out for shifted heads, dodgy hoses on the turbo...
Also check that there are no lighhts lit up on the dash after you've driven it. You don't really want to inherit a problem with the ABS module. That said, the 3 amigos being lit up on the dash is really not the end of the world (usually).
Check that the idler pulley's are nice and quiet, along with the AC clutch bearing and fan. There shouldn't be any squeaking or grinding.
Check that all of the night lights work on the dash, clock and climate control. These tend to fail and is a cheap easy fix, but just an annoyance really.
Check that the security nut removal tool is present and undamage. If both instances are accounted for, budget for some new wheel nuts to replace the security nuts, they are crap and you don't want to be stuck somewhere after the nut removal tool disintergrates.

That should give you something to start with....

Well, took it for a quick drive and had a quick once over look at it. What can I say...it's rough!
I couldn't find the year model plate but owner thinks it is 2000 with 260 000km. Head lining is saggy, upholstry on drivers seat is threadbare, horn buttons dont work-one is stuck down the other does nothing, the SRS light is continually on, front and rear bumper plastics and rear tail lights need replacing.

Most worrying is that there is diesel dripping quite badly from the rear of the engine somewhere up high, couldn't spot the exact place, consequently the whole underside of the car is slick with fuel blown back during driving. The car has had the auto replaced in the last 12months and the owner is just sick of spending money on it. Evidently it just 'stopped' in the fast lane of the highway several years ago, lost all power. She (owner) couldn't say what was the cause only that hubby had forked out fairly well to get it fixed.

SO!!! sounds like its been a lemon for a while, BUT they've said, Make an offer....might be ok for a future TD5 transplant into the Rangie?

I didn't see any obvious sign of centre diff lock. On the old manual Rangies there was a pull up vacuum switch, what would I look for find out?

Also the ACE system, I'm not familiar with what that is can you enlighten me please?

Thanks Sully for your info!

Hi Richard, ACE I think its called active cornering enhancement.It is I think hydraulic rams that when going into a corner, eg: right hand corner the rams on the left pump up the left side so it kind of leans into the corner instead of body roll away from the corner. If that makes sense. That is my understanding of it. I dont have it on mine. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

From what you have described in your last post, well I dont know I would be a bit cautious on it as it does'nt sound like its been very well looked after even if it is cheap you may pay for it in the long run.
And yes as stated service history is pretty important too. I always look at a vehicle in the sense if there is a lot of little things wrong they obviously dont treat it very well. Just my opinion/thoughts on it

Yep, the owner has said as much too. It is a work truck, the back was full of the hubby's tools and wooden stakes and quite grubby inside.
They don't want much for it though, which is what keeps me interested...

If its a local truck (Maitland) Im at Rutherford, PM and I will come and have a look with you,

Dazza

The current owner is sick of spending maoney on it? It sounds like he's not spending any money on it!

The year plate is located on the fron, just above the front left headlight, on the engine bay side.

Fixing a saggy headlining is relatively cheap, around $300.
Bumper moulds and rear tail lights can be had for around $85 each.
A horn button fix can be bought from discoveryspares.com.au Australia's newest Land Rover Discovery 2 Spare Parts Specialist. for around $70 from memory.
SRS light continually on is a worry and potentially expensive.
The engine leaking diesel? Wow... that's just dangerous. Might be a simple fix though.

It sounds as though it could be a challenge, but without knowing what is actually wrong, it could be a steal.
Offer him $1000 to $1500. That's about what he'd get at trade in value.

Otherwise, if you've got a bit of kick in your pocket, keep searching as there are plenty of good TD5's out there.

The fuel leak is almost certainly the pressure regulator on the drivers side rear of the head.

The part is around 300$ on an earlier car. Around 400$ on a post 02 or so.

I would try my hand as Sully has suggested! you may well get it, and at that price it would be cheap. You could break it for that any day of the week if you changed your mind