Disco 3 had new motor, what to watch for?

[patsaunders]

Hi everyone, thanks to the brilliant information from the members of this site I have narrowed my buying choice down to 2-3 discovery 3's. I am itching to get behind the wheel of my new car but just have one more thing that I am hoping someone more technically minded than me can help with.

One of my options has had it's motor replaced 80,000kms ago which makes it am 05 disco with a 2010 motor. It was replaced after a new timing belt was fitted and not torqued to the correct amount sending chain through the motor. my concern is when they put the new motor in would the rest of the drive train have been looked at also (transmission, transfer etc) and would anything else have be affected, how would I be able to tell? Would the new engine (80,000kms) now be up for a major service? Would the servicing mechanic be likely to be able to give me information on the work done?

If it makes a difference the seller said it was a "long motor" not sure what that means. I've kinda fallen for the car so I'd like to get some information to make sure the brain is on the same page as the heart haha
if anyone could help me out with some info/opinions of whether it's worth proceeding with a car that's had a motor replaced it would be greatly appreciated.

[101RRS]

I cannot directly answer your question but I am curious how a misadjusted timing belt would cause the cam chain to break/cause damage and go through the engine.

I I thought you were going to say that the overtightened timing belt caused the oil pump housing to fail causing the engine to fail due to a lack of oil.

When belts are changed these days it is good practice to upgrade the oil pump housing to a later stronger version.

Major servicing on the engine is done every 7 years or 160,000km where the belts are changed - so the new engine is well within the this. If it has done 80,000km of trouble free motoring then as long as the basic services have been done you should be right.

Garry

[catsman]

Long motor means all the items attached to block are new too, would normally include things like the injectors, fuel pump and cylinder heads.

I would think to save labour they would've put a complete engine in there, which would also include water pump and intake manifold, possibly alternator.

[patsaunders]

Thanks Gary and Catsman,

You're right Gary I quoted the wrong car on that one, the damage was caused by " a broken big end cap stud in the sump which destroyed the motor" you're on to it! I'm still learning about the mechanical side of things. If having a new motor in itself isn't a major "walk away" warning sign then I think I've found my new car. Pitty the current owner is such a nice guy I like him too much to haggle properly on price haha.

Both answers are very helpful I won't rule out then, seems to be the best 'value' I've found so far. Hopefully have a disco to show off next weekend!

Thanks

[Graeme]

I would regard a new long motor as a bonus especially having been proved with 80K of service.

[patsaunders]

Thanks Graeme,

I've seen your posts around the forum and regard your opinion very highly. Seems like I've found my disco!

Thanks Aulro

[101RRS]

the damage was caused by " a broken big end cap stud in the sump which destroyed the motor" you're on to it! I'm still learning about the mechanical side of things.

The actual issue the engine most likely had was slipped bearing shells which then went on to do the damage you describe.

Is a concern for many 2.7 drivers, however I saw a document published on the Disco Uk site a few months back from Landrover UK acknowledging the 2.7s had this issue and was a manufacturing fault - I assume that people could use this document as evidence in any claim.

Garry

[Epic pooh]

How's your shopping going Pat ?

[patsaunders]

Great thanks Epic,

I think I've found the one but the owner isn't available for a test drive until next weekend (in hospital for checkups) I'm doing my best to be patient haha.

Still keeping my eyes open for anything else that comes along but so many need so many $$$ spent on them straight away. I've found it's less about the "right car" and more about finding the "right owner" that has cared for the disco properly.

[TerryO]

I had a new 'long engine' fitted as well a couple of years back, they do not come with injectors, water pump, alternator, pulleys, hoses etc. they do come with glow plugs fitted though.

Still all that's no big deal, it's had 80k of running in so anything else that could have gone wrong at the time would have been fixed long ago. Having a fairly new late model engine is a good thing with a older D3.

Good luck with getting it.

[rar110]

Great thanks Epic, I think I've found the one but the owner isn't available for a test drive until next weekend (in hospital for checkups) I'm doing my best to be patient haha. Still keeping my eyes open for anything else that comes along but so many need so many $$$ spent on them straight away. I've found it's less about the "right car" and more about finding the "right owner" that has cared for the disco properly.

What areas/things have you found need money spent? Of the few I've looked at all need a transmission service (over 80,000km) or a not far away or overdue for belts. Recent posts on here reinforce doing diff oils straight up too.

[patsaunders]

Thanks TerryO,

Good to know about what doesn't come with the long engine. The one I want has a new alternator and a few other bits so seems ok. Seems like the previous owner is a money is no object kinda guy and if it needed fixing he did.
(Don't get any idea buyers, she's mine HAHA)

Rar110,

Ive been speaking to the mechanics who did the servicing on the cars I've looked at to get a good idea of what needs doing. As you mentioned the Transmission, Transfer, Diffs etc will be costly if they haven't been done before purchase. Other items that add up are Air compressors on the way out, brakes & rotors, steering arms, bushes, hoses and worn tyres.

Price wise I also have a pretty good idea of the accessories I want (bull bar etc) and I take that into account with the purchase price, I'd rather just buy the car pay rego and go with all the goods. But I may end up with a mechanical gem thats standard and have to spend some money on Mods, I may end up with a well set up tourer but it'll be at the mechanic for a few weeks.

I'm 'patiently' waiting for my seller to get out of hospital (he's fine, just check ups) so I've had ALOT of time to think and crunch the numbers, buying a D3 to me is almost like the "which costs more Petrol Vs Diesel" debate, you can kinda justify the costs in different ways.

Unfortunately, a lot of Discovery owners are not that into the maintenance side of the car, or believe that keeping the Duco as shiny as it was in the showroom is enough and this is often reflected in the way they write their adverts. I've found it helpful to look at the backgrounds in the pictures to get an idea of where and how the car has been kept, also if you ask someone about the transfer and they tell you about the gearbox you probably have your answer (hence my discussions with the mechanics who actually do the servicing).

I still have to wait until saturday, It's going to be a long week!!!

[patsaunders]

Picked up a D3 this afternoon and couldn't be happier, Thanks to everyone for the info and great answers the last few weeks.

[Bytemrk]

Picked up a D3 this afternoon and couldn't be happier, Thanks to everyone for the info and great answers the last few weeks.

Pat......:rulez:









:ttiwwp:

:p

[patsaunders]

I will edit my last post with plenty of pictures and plans tomorrow, ran out of light this afternoon. Thanks again everyone!

[Bytemrk]

Enjoy your new toy Pat..... they are a great car ;)