D2 donk dead :(

[JBM770]

My D2s engine has finally capitulated to the overheating and water loss problems I've been trying to keep a lid on since it first overheated not long after I got it.

I'm not sure how much the recent hose failures and viscous fan malfunction contributed to its demise but its definitely stuffed now.

I haven't looked myself but the mechanic I took it to send water was pouring out between the head and the block.

The cost of a second hand donk is just under 4K plus installation. I'm still not sure if its worth fixing compared to buying something else with a cast iron block.

I am willing to do the swap myself but I am wary of small idiosyncrasies of LRs that could cause problems later if I don't do things properly. I have RAVE disc and can borrow an engine hoist, is that all I would need?

Any words of support and encouragement are welcome and any tips and advice too.

James

[Pedro_The_Swift]

so what actually caused it to stop?
anything physical?
if nothings bent/melted a set of gaskets and a quick all over skim may be enough to get it back on the road,,

[mike 90 RR]

....I'm with Pedro ....

.... You have to take the heads off and look further, before you can call it dead

[Blknight.aus]

turn it over on the starter, if it winds over on the starter it aint dead, its just a little sick.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

and I've read somewhere,,( IIRC )
that the D2 front axle has no load capacity,, or to put it the right way,,
ALL the carrying capacity in the D2 is on the rear axle,,
so if one extra battery supposedly overloads it,, just think what a full cast iron motor would do---

[GEK064]

Like the boys said above but if she is cooked you've some soul searching to do cause it's not cheap. Remember the age of the car and other bits and pieces around the motor (not to mentioned to the rest of the car) might need replacing. When I had mine rebuilt I took the precaution to look at the clutch, the mounts, the gear box etc and sure enough replaced and repaired a few things that could have increased the nightmare later no....imagine spending on the motor only and having the water pump go after it leaves the shop? I took mine to a mechanic that I could talk too and who took the time to explain things and I now have a rebuilt 4.6 that I trust will keep me going for another 200k at least.....but a lot of cash and soul searching went into it. Good luck with it.

[Discobaker]

Yes, good luck absolutely. In hind sight, I wish I'd gone the rebuilt option but the guy I've been dealing with since sept last year has also been pretty good. If u go the way I did, Insist! On at least 6mnths warranty, I've got 12 months warranty on mine which is more than what I've found on fully rebuilt units so I guess I'm a little more confident.

[JBM770]

By cast iron block I meant going back to driving a Commodore or variant.

It turns over but because the head isnt sealing it doesnt fire, theres no compression.

Before it stopped for good it was rattling and the oil light was on. There was plenty of oil on the stick and it wasnt milky. I also had to jump start it that morning and the exhaust was steamy.

Im thinking its a head gasket or cracked or warped head.

I want to take the heads off to check it but the mechanic told me it would be a waste of time, he had a mechanic working for him that used to work at a LR dealership and he said it was cooked worse than he had ever seen.

I dont really have the cash to spend on a rebuilt motor or a 2nd hand 4.6, I would hope to get about 5-10 years out of a replacement motor.

James

[strangy]

If it were me I would be evaluating the condition/ life left in the rest of the vehicle first. A reco/rebuild is really a commitment to keeping the car for few more (3-5)years.
If you cant see your way to having the car that long or getting value for your cash spent then selling it as is or fitting a 2nd motor and sell it after would be your options.

cheers

[Discobaker]

If it were me I would be evaluating the condition/ life left in the rest of the vehicle first. A reco/rebuild is really a commitment to keeping the car for few more (3-5)years.
If you cant see your way to having the car that long or getting value for your cash spent then selling it as is or fitting a 2nd motor and sell it after would be your options.

cheers

Agreed for sure, I intend to keep mine till it burns to the ground, every other component on mine, outside the usual wear & tear of course (front prop shaft!!!!) seems good. I figure, better the car u know if it's gonna be second hand. Buying a 2nd hand commodore or similar may mean you're just inheriting someone else's issues. A risk I'm sure you're taking into consideration.

[Scouse]

There's a stat write off D2 coming up for auction in Newcastle on Thursday.

Maybe pop along & see what you can grab that for. It's not in Bundalene territory so you may be in luck ;).

Keep what you need, sell the rest.

Details here:
Manheim - Vehicle Details - Salvage (http://www.manheim.com.au/find_buy/power_search/?unit_key=160309_AU283075153-160309;detail_tab=vinfo;fulltext=land%20rover;incl ude_salvage=;salvage_only=1;state_all=1;model_all= 1;rm=view_detail)

[JBM770]

There's a stat write off D2 coming up for auction in Newcastle on Thursday.

Maybe pop along & see what you can grab that for. It's not in Bundalene territory so you may be in luck ;).

Keep what you need, sell the rest.

Details here:
Manheim - Vehicle Details - Salvage (http://www.manheim.com.au/find_buy/power_search/?unit_key=160309_AU283075153-160309;detail_tab=vinfo;fulltext=land%20rover;incl ude_salvage=;salvage_only=1;state_all=1;model_all= 1;rm=view_detail)

I remember seeing the pics when this one rolled on Stockton.

I wont have the cash for a couple of weeks.

It would be ideal way of getting another motor though. Thanks for the link.

James

[Scouse]

Ahh, I didn't put 2 & 2 together.

Hey, at least you know that one drove OK afterwards.

[JBM770]

Agreed for sure, I intend to keep mine till it burns to the ground, every other component on mine, outside the usual wear & tear of course (front prop shaft!!!!) seems good. I figure, better the car u know if it's gonna be second hand. Buying a 2nd hand commodore or similar may mean you're just inheriting someone else's issues. A risk I'm sure you're taking into consideration.

I have had Commodores before and SWMBO has a VE so they are more familiar to me.

The D2 body and trim are all still in good condition for their age and all the electrics work well so keeping is something I would like to do, it just comes down to cost vs future reliability. If I pay someone to swap the motor I would get other stuff done, like auto service, fluid changes and bush inspection at the same time, Im pretty sure the shocks are stuffed cause it wallows a bit on bumps the missus car glides over.

Being a 7 seater is very handy as well.

James

[Discobaker]

I get where ur coming from for sure, I've lost count of how many times I've lost faith but don't regret the decisions I've made.
I think (without getting offside) you're comparing chalk & cheese with ur two cars. VE is potentially 10 yrs younger & a completely different type of vehicle. Same bumps, different feels, different behavior from each car. The components u talk about wearing out are gonna happen no matter where you park your behind :)

[Tombie]

I have had Commodores before and SWMBO has a VE so they are more familiar to me.

The D2 body and trim are all still in good condition for their age and all the electrics work well so keeping is something I would like to do, it just comes down to cost vs future reliability. If I pay someone to swap the motor I would get other stuff done, like auto service, fluid changes and bush inspection at the same time, Im pretty sure the shocks are stuffed cause it wallows a bit on bumps the missus car glides over.

Being a 7 seater is very handy as well.

James

James

Sorry to hear your misfortune...

The secret to LR happiness is maintenance...

The 1st time it overheated was the cry to get some work done...

Buying another car, means the money is there when you think about it...

Throw some reasonable $$$ at the Disco, and then set a maintenance plan in place - regular oils etc...

You'll be right once its sorted...

[Bundalene]

There's a stat write off D2 coming up for auction in Newcastle on Thursday.

Maybe pop along & see what you can grab that for. It's not in Bundalene territory so you may be in luck ;).

Keep what you need, sell the rest.

Details here:
Manheim - Vehicle Details - Salvage (http://www.manheim.com.au/find_buy/power_search/?unit_key=160309_AU283075153-160309;detail_tab=vinfo;fulltext=land%20rover;incl ude_salvage=;salvage_only=1;state_all=1;model_all= 1;rm=view_detail)

Says who?;)

[Scouse]

Oops !!

[JBM770]

I moved the car last night by rolling it and decided to see if it would start and it did first go. But it did sound like a chaff cutter.

I am a bit more optomistic about the car now.

James

[Discobaker]

Good good, it's a start, at least it hasn't seized :)
Have faith!!!

[Yorkie]

and why not get a second opinion from another mechanic, what about all4x4 in kotara?
wasting money buying another cheap car, chance it will die in 6months anyway.

[clubagreenie]

I went through this 6mths into my D2.

Did head gaskets and failed again within 2mths. The thing to do is to get the head and block if possible hardness tested as well as crack tested. 4K is a bit steep for a second hand motor. I picked up a 4.6 with less than 20K on it for $2000-. Did the auto at the same time and havn't looked back.

It hasn't seized and there's no water in oil so thats a good start. Hopefully only blown from cylinder to outside or cylinder to water jacket. Do you know if it pressurised the cooling system? And from description doesn't sound like it's blown oil out of anywhere.

[JBM770]

Water was also leaking out the exhaust pipes when the mechanic checked it so thats where my 1-2 litres a day was going, I didnt find any leaking hoses and nothing was dropping on the ground.

Hopefully it is a gasket and or stuffed heads, I can get some exchange heads from Kotara for $990, but the existing heads will need to come off for inspection, I could still end up needing a new motor anyway.

I will keep an eye out for a better engine deal over the next couple of weeks until I have the cash together.

If I only need the heads done I will look at replacing the cam, lifters and chain.

James

[Rastuss]

for my 2 bobs,i would take the engine out and have the heads decked,crank check/sized and balanced new pistons,new water pump and oil pump along with the cam you'll have a long life fix without massive costs. Once it's back in have the radiator flushed and thermo's fitted. It's ok to buy another car but you'll more than likely have to spend money on that too!