My new D3 V8

[carlschmid2002]

I have recently purchased a 2005 SE D3 V8. It has a lot of extras and so far everything seems to be working fine. It has ARB front bar with Warn winch. Rear wheel carrier, awesome Apine Sat Nav, and much more including a great sounding dual exhaust. aftermarket 100 litre fuel tank. I have the following questions for the more knowledgable amongst you. All air bags seem to working fine. Love the engine. Not so keen on fuel economy. I can live with it. It has 180000 kms. Engine and cooling system seem sound as. I intend to do a a transmission service ASAP.
1. I am keen to purchase a Nanocom or similar diagnostic tool. What do I need?
2. How do I know if I have an electronic locking diff?
3. What info have I lost from having aftermarket sat nav in centre position?
4. What are the best aftermarket shock absorbers? (Bit of body roll and bounce)
5. Any other items I should check ASAP?

All info greatly appreciated.

[shanegtr]

Not too sure about most of your questions, but point 1. I went for an IID tool. From what info I gathered from various forums the product support for the nanocom/faultmate wasn't too flash.

[Tombie]

Don't know what forums you were on... Faultmate support is fantastic...

[ytt105]

Don't know what forums you were on... Faultmate support is fantastic...


I 2nd that!

[Geedublya]

Don't know what forums you were on... Faultmate support is fantastic...

You only have to look here on AULRO to find plenty of reports of poor service. There was a thread here with one particularly irate customer which lead to Colin pulling the pin on AULRO.

The only time I experienced their service was when I made an inquiry and it was exemplary, however what I read here and on some other sites along with the expense of the tool caused me to rethink my purchase and I ended up buying the IIDTool (bluetooth) which has proved to be very user friendly and to have a comprehensive list of functions.

It is unfortunate that Colin choose to walk away rather than stick with defending his product in my view.

[Epic pooh]

1. I am keen to purchase a Nanocom or similar diagnostic tool. What do I need?

No comment on any other tool as I've not used them, but when I had this question the IIDTool won out for me on a bang for your buck basis. Is compact, very well featured, simple to use and my experience is that the Gap Team provide excellent support.


2. How do I know if I have an electronic locking diff?

Put the vehicle in offroad height and take a look at the diff - if it has an actuator motor and wiring loom it is an e-diff (google e-diff to find a picture to help see what you're looking for).


3. What info have I lost from having aftermarket sat nav in centre position?


You've lost some storage space.


4. What are the best aftermarket shock absorbers? (Bit of body roll and bounce)

At your age/milage consider changing the entire struts (bags and shocks) all round. For an entire strut, your choices are Genuine, Delphi or Allmakes. Look at UK prices online (LRDirect, Ductworths, Island 4x4 etc etc - unleash your google-fu) and give serious thought to importing them (in two batches to avoid import duties).


5. Any other items I should check ASAP?

Yes. You should take a good hard look at the pile of crap plastic bleed valve on top of the motor - at the age of your car if it has not been changed, recommend you change it. This part is prone to failure. If it fails and you don't notice (which you may well not as the temp gauge may not react very quickly) you will likely toast your head gaskets. The part is about $15 genuine from LR. It is LR027661 - air bleed valve.

I don't know what you consider to be bad fuel economy, but if it is actually bad, check that your plugs have been changed and that the intake system of your motor is clean (sensors, throttle body etc).

Good luck & HTH.

[TerryO]

Be real careful when taking the spark plugs out, if they have not been changed in a long time they can he very hard to near impossible to get out without damaging the heads.

Other than the plugs and what Epic Pooh has mentioned the V8 is a real good and very reliable jigger.

[Nomad9]

Hi There,
I'm with you, support and functionality are fantastic.

[shanegtr]

You only have to look here on AULRO to find plenty of reports of poor service. There was a thread here with one particularly irate customer which lead to Colin pulling the pin on AULRO.

The only time I experienced their service was when I made an inquiry and it was exemplary, however what I read here and on some other sites along with the expense of the tool caused me to rethink my purchase and I ended up buying the IIDTool (bluetooth) which has proved to be very user friendly and to have a comprehensive list of functions.

It is unfortunate that Colin choose to walk away rather than stick with defending his product in my view.
That thread in particular that you mention is the me that first got me second guessing buying a faultmate. But once I started digging there's a few threads around, both on this forum and disco3.

[gossamer]

And if you want your V8 to sound like a V8 then take the big center muffler out, it can be a touch noisey inside but it sounds pretty good. :D