D3 Compressor and tyre life.

[Glynhouse]

Another question (I'm full of them).
D3 that I am looking at done 88K first registered Feb 07, looking through the maintenance logs not really helpfully, just says "required service completed" as far as the owner knows never had any compressor trouble, so assume it is original.
We will be towing and going to remote areas, are there any warning signs ? and if it does fail are we stuck or can we get back to civilisation ?
Can I carry a spare and fit it on the side of the road ?

It has just had 4 new Goodyears fitted, second set they have fitted, as it has only been a run about although lived in the mountains behind Brisbane, tyre wear seems high to me ? on its 3rd although only just in 88K. is that around the mark or normall.

Thanks

DD

[WhiteD3]

Welcome DD.

Personally I wouldn't be worried about the compressor. Even if it fails the car's still drivable, albeit slowly. My D3 was a Feb 07 build and in 4.5 years and 100,000km I never had problems with the compressor.

I would recommend you get some better tyres. No way I'd be heading outback on the Wranglers. As for tyre life, it is important to get a wheel alignment and rotate done every service or the D3 will chew through the tyres.

Again, when I sold the D3 with 99,800 kms the roadworthy guy knocked me back on the tyres due to age cracks. I thought they were good for another 10k but my opinion counted for zero. So that was two sets of tyres (first set GY Wranglers, second set Pirelli Scorpion ATR) in 100k. So maybe two sets in 88 is not so bad.

[Graeme]

Whilst the compressors can fail suddenly with a fault such as a broken conrod, most seem to wear-out and therefore fail slowly. Sometimes its only the air dryer that gets too clogged which if replaced or rejuvinated early enough can prevent a failure of the compressor itself. The compressor can be replaced on the road-side as long as suitable tools are available and the vehicle can be jacked sufficiently and safely.

Poor wheel alignment greatly accelerates tyre wear on these vehicles, even when within LR specs as the tolerances are too generous. Worn suspension bushes as the kms accumulate is also a cause.

[Glynhouse]

Thanks for the replies, the compressor was worrying me if it was a common problem and left me stranded with a van half way across the Great central Hyw or the like
Interesting the second set of tyres that went on the main contender was a set of Pirelli ATR's maybe the Goodyears were cheaper to put back on as it was on the market.
Yes I have been warned to keep the wheel alignment up.

DD

Edit. I will always be carrying an other compressor (arb) better do some research on here to see how in an emergency I could inflate the suspension long enough to get home or back to a workshop ! Be OK if a bag doesn't slip then I guess not much you can do, or is there ?

[WhiteD3]

Interesting the second set of tyres that went on the main contender was a set of Pirelli ATR's maybe the Goodyears were cheaper to put back on as it was on the market.

Unless things have changed the Goodyears would be another $100 or so each.


I will always be carrying an other compressor (arb) better do some research on here to see how in an emergency I could inflate the suspension long enough to get home or back to a workshop ! Be OK if a bag doesn't slip then I guess not much you can do, or is there ?

I'm a mechanical dunce but I don't think an external compressor will help you. If you're that stressed about it carry a spare but you can drive the car with compressor.

[Graeme]

Its worthwhile to identify the suspension ecu main power supply fuse so that it can be removed with the vehicle up if the suspension system develops a habit of dropping due to a fault somewhere.

[DiscoWeb]

U
I'm a mechanical dunce but I don't think an external compressor will help you. If you're that stressed about it carry a spare but you can drive the car with compressor.

White D3,

Whilst I am similarly endowed with your mechanical IQ, I thought I read somewhere here about one owner fitting something to their vehicle compressor that would allow inflation from an external source.

Not sure it was completed or able to be done but theoretically if your external compressor could generate the right amounts of pressure and flow etc then fitting another connection for emergency should be possible.

But as noted I am note sure compressor failure would be at the top of my list of potential issues for remote travel.

George

[~Rich~]

White D3,

Whilst I am similarly endowed with your mechanical IQ, I thought I read somewhere here about one owner fitting something to their vehicle compressor that would allow inflation from an external source.

Not sure it was completed or able to be done but theoretically if your external compressor could generate the right amounts of pressure and flow etc then fitting another connection for emergency should be possible.

But as noted I am note sure compressor failure would be at the top of my list of potential issues for remote travel.

George

Gordon has such a kit under development:
Products: EAS kits (http://www.greenovalexperience.com/eas_inflation_kit.html)

[Glynhouse]

White D3,


But as noted I am note sure compressor failure would be at the top of my list of potential issues for remote travel.

George
A question that has to follow that comment is obviously - what would be your main concern ??

And thanks Rich for that link much more confidant now that takes the compressor off the worry list, just carry or install the kit. now to find out what might worry George.

Steep learning curve with these vehicles but probably not much more than most modern stuff, all lovely while it is working, but how often does it stop ? and what are the consequences if outside pick up range ?

DD (Dennis)

[oldsalt]

My 2007 is coming up to 140K with no concerns, get the regular servicing done, change your "auto" oil, drive with due care (unlike a certain "young" Toyota driver that I met on a narrow track recently) and you'll be fine.
Any vehicle can break down - don't let the thought of it spoil a good trip.
In my case I've got a mate with the ultimate 4X4 - a Robinson R44 - and he said he'll come and get me anywhere that I break down in Australia!!! - he loves any excuse to play in his "toy"
Have fun in your new vehicle :D

[Graeme]

A question that has to follow that comment is obviously - what would be your main concern ??
Learn how to use the emergency release for the electronic park brake (not just for outback travel) and acquire one of the several methods that provide some extra clearance under the exhausts on outback tracks.

[Tote]

I have an '08 D3 that has now got 190.000 KM on it. We've been across the Simpson, to Darwin via the Oodnadatta track and done many other less remote trips. I've had a compressor failure but the failure mode was such that I had a couple of weeks warning before it stopped working altogether and when it did the vehicle was still drivable but stuck at on road height.
I get around 70,000Km from a set of General Grabbers which I ave been running since 30,000 KM. Some more info here (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/85017-18-general-grabber-38-000km-report.html)

My biggest concern would be the condition of the automatic as while these are a good unit the service recommendation of "sealed for life" does not appear to be adequate. I would budget for a new transmission oil pan and oil change (around $1K) on any automatic D3 that I was purchasing. I would also be wary of purchasing a vehicle with more than $100,000KM that does not have evidence of the transmission oil having been changed. Replacement cost for the 6HP26 transmission is around $8K fitted. If the oil is changed every 50 - 80000KM these boxes should be trouble free, however.

I now have my disco set up as a family tourer and there isn't much more that I can think of to improve it for my needs. As an indication the list of bits and pieces is listed below.
Arb Bar
Spare Tyre Carrier
Long Ranger 105 Lt aux fuel tank
Front Runner Roof Rack
LLAMS height control
Aldi Winch ( not really necessary for what I do but only cost $400.00)
Icom IC440 UHF
Traxide second battery system and Ultima battery
Arb Compressor
Parrot Bluetooth Kit
Freelander Headset screens and a WD media player (happy Kids means happy trips)
Extra 18"spare for long trips

I'd happily take my vehicle on any trip confident in the knowledge that I would have the same reliability as any comparable vehicle.

Regards,
Tote

[Nomad9]

Hi Dennis,
My main concern is tyres, I foolishly fitted Coopers and had two go on me on the Great Central both on the NT section. I carry a spare compressor and because I do I suspect I'll never need it, heres hoping, I picked mine up on ebay second-hand for $100 not sure if the guy knew what he was selling, anyway my gain his loss.
Getting back to tyres, buy good tyres, GG's seem to be the go I haven't got any yet but I'm going to get some, I'm just trying to get some klms on the Coopers before I give them the flick. I find the D3 very heavy in the bot bot with the accessories fitted, LR tank, dual wheel carrier, fridge and drawers, this doesn't help the tyres case at all, hence the reason you need good ones at the onset. I reckon it would be easier and cheaper to get a compressor for a D3 than a set of, or an 18 inch tyre for a D3, when I got to Alice I asked at the tyre shop for a new tyre he looked at me like I had come from the planet Zod, basically no chance off the shelf, but can be delivered.

[Nomad9]

Hi Dennis (again)
Agree 100% with Tote, transmission would be my other concern, I've done the steel pan change, did it at 80k. Can't beat a good lubrication schedule, sealed for life, yea the life of the warranty.....

[gghaggis]

re tyres, the GG's are a good low-cost option, but if you don't mind spending a bit extra you could look at either the Mickey Thompson AT range (AT-4rib, AT-5rib and STZ) or the Pirelli ATR's. Strong tyres with good range and grip. Suit the D3 well.

The new Cooper STMax is a very aggressive AT, strong sidewalls and cheaper than the Mickey Thompson's but noisier. I think the Pirelli will give the best mileage though (and they've come first in a few AT tyre tests now).

Cheers,

Gordon

[stewmair]

We know everybody has the right answer and there are many ways to skin a cat.
Tote's list is great..
I put jerry cans of diesel on the caravan (2.4t) rather than have a long range tank. Then the extra spare is on the carrier on the back of the vehicle.
Steel pan ASAP.
My battery system is Raytronics from Adelaide. Built like brick chicken house. I didn't know about Traxide at the time but very satisfied with what I've got.
LLAMS is not obligatory although it sounds fun. Unlikely to be necessary if pulling a caravan.
Steering bushes gave me a noisy time on corrugations after about 120k but don't stop a trip.
Suspension warning, temporary in Cairns on the way back from towing to Seisia, did not reappear till after travelling to Lawn Hill and home to Bendigo when she it went down to the stops at 140k.
Lumpy tyres are a great idea but don't help in sand and are just as smooth as road tyres after one more rotation in the mud unless you're in competition. My Michelins on my Rangies from 1978 and my Wranglers on my 07 Disco3 only failed when I foolishly followed advice to let them down in stony high country tracks.
My Wranglers lasted 65k, my Cooper STs are half warn after 20k but everyone's experience is different.
Intercooler hoses rupture, take duct tape.
Take out Land Rover Assist, they're great.
And don't be put off by someone who believes they have all the answers.Good travelling, Disco 3s are the best.

[101RRS]

The new Cooper STMax is a very aggressive AT, strong sidewalls and cheaper than the Mickey Thompson's but noisier.
Cheers,

Gordon

An acquaintance just put them on his Defender and is happy with noise, grip etc. They look the goods but I did not see a listing in 18" that will fit a D3 without serious mods.

Garry

[Glynhouse]

Thanks for all the comments I feel a lot more confident now.
Have just put in an offer on a 2007 D3 with under 90K on it, has new Wranglers on it (last week) and have no plans for a while for any rough roads so will see what happens.
I guess at that age and buying privately LR assist is probably not available ?

Will let you know how we go. Thanks again.

DD