MY08 and Nothing has Broken - Should I be worried?

[PerthDisco]

Hi

Ok that was a slight exaggeration as I have replaced the lower arms, rear door opener and also top turbo hose.

Other than that it has never missed a beat.

Still on the original battery.

Reason for my concern is that I am planning on a real trip this year Perth to Karijini via Mount Augustus in July and back via the Kennedy Ranges.

I have some time to plan and have read the Travelling Spares sticky thread.

Looks like I would be wise to replace the brake light switch.

The other items I am worried about before a long trip are;

Air suspension pump (still original)
Wheel speed sensors

Separately interested in any touring parts for sale by WA owners i.e. roof rack and also need an extra 18" wheel.

When travelling long distances on unsealed rough outback roads (not offroad) do users recommend the GOE rods (or equivalent) to be able to run at higher speeds at offroad height or is normal height sufficient? At which height does the Disco handle corrugations better?

Thanks
Richard

[Trngia]

Hi Richard. I have a 2008 as well. I have had a few issues but the only major one was the compressor going, fortunately while at home though.

We did exactly that trip last year and from mt. Augustus up the Dooley downs road to karijini. Quite a bumpy ride and had 2 punctures although apart from that all was good.

I have the llams height controller installed and I do run in normal height mode with the llams set a little higher which gives a great cushion on the corregations and no dropping height speed warnings.

Saying that I don't think you really need it for that route and GOE rods would be a good alternative however a bit of pressure out the tyres and all should be good.

Definitely take 2 spares with you and a repair kit. You could grab a rim from GOE. I had cooper at/3 tyres and have since replaced with Bridgestone AT/LT vowing never to buy coopers again. :-).

[PerthDisco]

Thanks! And now I am really worried about the compressor.

Am current running the Bridgestone LT Duellers. Still have the original spare though which is on the list for replacement along with 2nd spare.

Richard

[Ean Austral]

I have the same year and other than things I have replaced as general maintainence the only thing that has failed on the car is the rear tail gate latch.


If you haven't done it and depending on kms travelled I would look at the plastic water housing that sits under the inlet pipe at the front of the engine. At the very least carry 1 with you as it seems to be a common issue at around the 150,000 mark.


Enjoy the trip


Cheers Ean

[BobD]

We did Meekatharra, Wooleen Station, Kennedy Ranges, Mt Augustus, Murchison Off Road Park but not up to Karijini, although I have been there several times. The roads are not too bad, although we had water across the track in several places.


For corrugations, normal height is fine and should give the best ride. It is pot holes that catch the car out and bottom out the front suspension, so I run on the medium height Llams setting to reduce that a bit on high speed rough roads.

[Trngia]

If you are concerned about the compressor you could get an emergency inflation kit from GOE that you can use your tyre compressor to inflate the airbags. I have one sitting in my toolbox just in case.

[ADMIRAL]

Ditto on the tyres. I did 2 in 200 yards. You do need a couple of spares, but the second spare could be just a carcass. Easier, and lighter to carry. Drop your presssures, but I would definitely make sure you have LT rated tyres. ( mine weren't and I was on time schedule, going too quick ) A lot more durable on those rocks around Mt Augustus.

The brake switch is the same as the Falcon BA/BF. Just get one and hold it as a spare. No point in changing it unless it is u/s. You are having a great run. The brake switch could last another 5 minutes, or another 5 years !

If you are worried about the compressor, get a GOE airup kit. Good enough to keep you out of trouble until back in civilisation.

Normal height is fine for unsealed roads.

Slow down and enjoy the view.

[Graeme]

I suggest replacing the battery. You've had a good run and you don't want it to fail on the trip.

You may as well fit the new water outlet housing before you go too. They're cheap enough to replace before they fail to avoid the inconvenience and the possibility of major damage.

[ytt105]

I'm in a similar situation, D3 with 140k on car, 100k on engine (don't ask).

The one I'm starting to stress over is the alternator.

I'll be heading to the Kimberly this winter and am wondering, do I buy a second hand alternator as a spare, do I buy a diode pack to take with me, do I fit a new diode pack now, do I buy a new alternator in preparation for the doom?

Presently the car is fine, going well, and charging my 3 batteries, plus one more in van, happily.

Regards
Trevor

[PerthDisco]

Yes battery is a no-brainer. Have that on the list.

Is the water housing mentioned for the windscreen washers or cooling system related?

Thanks
Richard

[Epic pooh]

Cooling system. Also change the plastic bleeder at the top of the motor if the diesel has such a thing. They break easily at this age on the V8.

Otherwise, trust your disco and all will be good :)

[Ean Austral]

Yes battery is a no-brainer. Have that on the list.

Is the water housing mentioned for the windscreen washers or cooling system related?

Thanks
Richard



Cooling system, if you look at the front of the engine in the V there is a plastic housing that has about 4 hoses go to it. That is the 1, think they are about $40 from memory.


Cheers Ean

[PeterOZ]

MY08 as well

On 3rd battery, one under warranty, one during lease and replaced last one last winter.

alternator failed christmas just gone.

Compressor failed and replaced under warrnty by the dealer back in 2013 with the newer model.

anyone got a photo of this mythical plastic water housing and where it is? I had a look the otehr week and could not see it.

One thing to check is that turbo guide vane actualr arm is not frozen or fallen off like mine has.

Still need to get that fixed :angel: MR can do it when it goes in for service.

20L of fresh water is always good to take on that sort of trip :D

[AnD3rew]

I have an 09.

Have had to replace battery, lower control arms, compressor and alternator.

After having the alternator experience I would look at the alternator thread and at a minimum would do the suggested cable and fuse modification. Wong save your alternator but will save your battery and possibly worse.

I plan to do this to mine.

Would definitely replace the battery you are living on borrowed time with that one.

Compressor is difficult as it is such an expensive item to replace if it's not necessary. the emergency inflation kit is a good idea if you choose not to change it.

[shorty]

I have an 07 and have just replaced the original compressor. My view would be that if you plan to keep the car for more than the next couple of years then just do it for peace of mind. I have also had to replace alternator and battery. If any of these go on you out there the party is over.

[shorty]

The other benefit of doing proactively is you can shop around online for the best part prices. Once these go on you if you need your car back on the road ASAP you are kind of at the mercy of your local mechanics and parts suppliers. I hate being in that position!

[BobD]

I have an 07 and have just replaced the original compressor. My view would be that if you plan to keep the car for more than the next couple of years then just do it for peace of mind. I have also had to replace alternator and battery. If any of these go on you out there the party is over.


The holiday would be over or delayed but it would only mean trucking the car back to Perth as a back load if you couldn't get it going. Just money! Everything is easily accessible on the roads up there, even though it feels really remote, like being in Central Australia. I reckon it is the closest place to civilization in WA where you can get that really remote experience without being as vulnerable as in other places, such as the Nullarbor, Cape York or the Simpson Desert.

[Ean Austral]

I have an 09.

Have had to replace battery, lower control arms, compressor and alternator.

After having the alternator experience I would look at the alternator thread and at a minimum would do the suggested cable and fuse modification. Wong save your alternator but will save your battery and possibly worse.

I plan to do this to mine.

Would definitely replace the battery you are living on borrowed time with that one.

Compressor is difficult as it is such an expensive item to replace if it's not necessary. the emergency inflation kit is a good idea if you choose not to change it.


Do you have a link to the Alternator thread in question or what it was called. I done a search but didn't notice any reference to cable and fuse mods.


Cheers Ean

[Disco W.A]

Do you have a link to the Alternator thread in question or what it was called. I done a search but didn't notice any reference to cable and fuse mods.


Cheers Ean






Ean, I think this is the one your looking for


http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/202714-alternator-failure.html

[Ean Austral]

Thanks Roger, interesting reading.




Cheers Ean

[Graeme]

The link below has a good picture of the water outlet housing.
1357091 | THERMOSTAT + WATER OUTLET CONNECTION 3.0L DIESEL - DISCOVERY 3 + 4 + RANGE ROVER SPORT + L322 + JAG | Land Rover | | Britcar (UK) Ltd (http://www.brit-car.co.uk/product.php/104211/5497/thermostat___water_outlet_connection_3_0l_diesel__ __discovery_3___4___range_rover_sport___l322___jag )

[Gaviatrix]

Hi PerthDisco and Disco W.A.

Who do you use for servcing in our fair city? We have a 2007 TDV6 HSE which we brought over from Melbourne in 2011 and so far I've had it serviced every 9 months at Barbagallos. They've been good (Gordon their service manager is very helpful) but they charge like two wounded bulls and I'm looking for alternatives. I need to get my high pressure fuel pump replaced at the next service and that's an expensive job.

For the record, in 92k our "non-service item" replacement list so far has been: top turbo hose (I was a bit overenthusiastic on the beach down near Esperance ...), alternator, battery (because of the alternator), air compressor (because someone put a jack through it), low pressure diesel pump and one rear wheel sensor which faulted. Replacements have usefully been at about annual intervals which has spread the cost nicely! Without wishing to bring down the curse of the gods, nothing has actually stopped us from proceeding ...

I keep wondering about getting a newer model (a D4 3.0 would be nice), but it's basically going well, is suitably battered so I'm past caring about the duco and my wife (who drives it through the week) loves it: so unless we start getting catastrophic expenses we'll probably hang to to it for a few more years.

By the way, if anyone wants some OEM 17" wheels have a look on Markets. Cheers, Gavin

[PerthDisco]

Hi Gavin

Add a RH rear seatbelt to that list for me.

I bought mine also in Melbourne and brought over in 2010.

I was initially using FRANZONE who shut down in 2013. I have since moved to Wilf Chambers in Osborne Park who does Land Rover servicing. His car park is full of Discos and RRS. At $110/hr I don't know if cheap but you can talk through issues with the guys who do the work which I like.

Nice mechanics who genuinely are keen to fix issues rather than replace parts. Got my park brake working like new after the death squeal.

They know all the regular issues and carry most parts that regularly fail.

I just had the timing belt change and oil pump last week. I had to push for the new oil pump part as they did not see this as an issue or had heard of failures. Fair enough as they did not want to make it more expensive. Mine definately had the old style part. At same time we did the water pump also.

So far so good. It's just that Osborne Park is slightly less inconvenient to me versus other more northern and south of the river specialists that have many good reports.

[Dagilmo]

Hi Gavin,


I have used Rovertech in Bentley and have been happy.

[Gaviatrix]

Thanks guys, I'll look at both those alternatives. I've heard good reports about Jordan RoverTech but Benley is a trek for me. Appreciate your replies. :)