Newbie with questions

[mango]

Hi people,

I'm pretty new to the LR experience and have a couple of q's to ask if that's ok - sorry in advance about the long windedness.

I'm looking at a 94tdi discovery with 270km on the clock. I found this one in a car yard in toowoomba but it's a wholesale car and I got chased off the lot about 5mins after i popped the bonnet to have a look. I do however know a guy who could probably get it for me but I'm not real sure how I go getting it checked out prior to buying it (being a wholesale car).

Now I know nothing about diesels but I did manage to get some info on it before i left. The log books have been filled out every 10K since new right up to 260k mark and was serviced by a LR dealer (missed the name though). It was a company car and sometimes it only took two weeks to rack up consecutive services so I'm assuming it did some cross country runs and was probably mostly highway miles given the undrside is relatively dent free. Found a couple of oil leaks under the bonnet but nothing more than I'd expect (from what I've heard). Most people on here talk about 5k servicings and I'm wondering if 10K is too far apart - thats the first question.

Also found a little rust up where the window seals are in the top rear corners of the cabin but looks easily repairable. No idea what the gbox or diffs are like.

I'd like to get it checked out by a diesel mech but if I can't then is it worth the risk if I could get it cheap enough (say around 7-8k). That would give me some dollars to play with if things needed repair.

Thanks in advance for any answers.

Oh yeah, I own a subaru as my fwd so I'm not adverse to a little maintenance so long as it's not too expensive. Cheers

Mango

[incisor]

Hi

firstly welcome

270k is not a lot of miles if they were highway miles and it was serviced as the book states.

any mention of timing belts?

i would be looking for signs of overheating... does it have plastic bung in radiator and thermostat housing or brass, if plastic do they look new?

diffs arent usually a problem, transfer cases can be in vehicles with that type of usage pattern.

oil leaks are a normal feature of british engineeering, you worry when you dont see oil leaking out style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

hope it works out for you!

[CraigE]

Welcome,
Unfortuanately wholesalers can be a bit like auctions, they will let you start it, inspect it but won't let you drive it. Having said that some will, so if you can get some one with a motor traders licence and some one who is mechanically minded yoy should be able to have a good look. Try and find just how far the corrosion actually goes. look out for things like excessive diff or transfer case whine. If an auto hard clunking into gear. Any smoke. Check all electrics are operational. Disc rotors are in spec and not grooved. Timing belt has been replaced regularly as mentioned. Things like CV's. Signs of overheating.
Good Luck

[Michael2]

If they let you start it, & it's a manual, stick the t/case in neutral and go through the gears. Put a stethoscope (or screwdriver) from the gearstick to your ear and listen for adventitious sounds (they may not come up until it's under load, but if they come up in neutral it's a good warning sign).

Inspect the log book carefully for what was done when and by whom, then go to the dealership and speak to the mechanic. If it was serviced that regularily, they'll probably remember it.

[Jojo]

Greetings mango!
The 1994 models aren't too bad, the bottom years were 1995/1996 (I know what I'm talking of!). Most of the obvious bugs should have been sorted out by the previous owner(s). You did not mention if it's an auto or a manual, if it's a manual check for clonks in the transmission when changing gears, especially from reverse to first or when driving off. The splines on the mainshaft can wear out and then it becomes an expensive rebuild... The fault does not become apparent on all cars but be aware of it. Other problems apart from the ones already mentioned by others include electric problems (not too many gimmicks on your car, though) and water leaks (not really a problem in Oz :wink: ).
Oil leaks are a standard feature of your Landrover, so don't worry as long as it's not getting excessive!
And welcome to AULRO, of course!
Cheers