1999 series 2 Disco advice

[Ladyfingers]

Hey there, first time posting and all going well first time owning a disco.
I was wanting to know what the seasoned veterans from aulro thoughts are on a 1999 td5 discovey 2 manual. Theres one in my area, going for a good price. Ive looked around for a long time for a D1 (ideal) but no fruit from my labour on that front. This D2 is pretty much stock apart from some AT tyres and a roof rack. The old guy who is selling is a land rover nut and has a few of them and looks after them. In the last 2-3 years he has done the abs pump, ball joints, tail shaft donut, a full td5 overhaul and egbr bypass kit, new heat exchanger kit and a new battery. All up about $6500 worth of work. Im having a look at it tonight and just wanting to know if I should get the 1999 or hold out for a 2003-4(out of my price range).

I really appreciate all and any info you can give me. Thanks a heap guys

[Wilyms]

And it’s great. The manual can be a bit of a pain around town - if it’s like mine which is slow to go back into first. If not then they are a great truck, esp on the highway

Check to see if it has the Centre Diff Lock installed (or ask the owner, he will know by the sounds of it)

The engine overhaul is a big plus

Kms?
Price?
is it on carsales??

ask about window mechanisms, three amigos etc
check the seat squabs for wear

oil leaks come standard but you know that already

suspension can be upgraded cheaply

Hope that helps

[Kaaaiju]

Well the 99 has plastic head dowels which move and causes issues and the oil pump bolt that hasn't got lock tight It,


If you have the money get an D2a alot of improvements and the ecu beening an NNN on the newer one is great for retunes and mapping

[Ladyfingers]

And it’s great. The manual can be a bit of a pain around town - if it’s like mine which is slow to go back into first. If not then they are a great truck, esp on the highway

Check to see if it has the Centre Diff Lock installed (or ask the owner, he will know by the sounds of it)

The engine overhaul is a big plus

Kms?
Price?
is it on carsales??

ask about window mechanisms, three amigos etc
check the seat squabs for wear

oil leaks come standard but you know that already

suspension can be upgraded cheaply

Hope that helps

Thanks for the confidence mate, so I drove her around and she felt good, yeah pretty soft in first but good after that.
Yeah its on carsales and gumtree. She has 240xxx on the clock but because the overhaul was like 40xxx clicks ago im not to worried. He is wanting around 5k but I think I can get it for a bit less😂🤞🏽
No CDL which is frustrating but not the end of the world. Ill have to hunt around for some diff locks I think.
Would you recommend getting a pre purchase imspection done on it? Im inclined to get one for peace of mind but she did drive really nice.

Haha yeah there was a little oil leak but nothing crazy 👌🏽

[Ladyfingers]

Well the 99 has plastic head dowels which move and causes issues and the oil pump bolt that hasn't got lock tight It,


If you have the money get an D2a alot of improvements and the ecu beening an NNN on the newer one is great for retunes and mapping

Thanks ill keep an eye for the head dowels mate.

Haha if only i have the money 💰 if I did it would be a chopped ls3 GU wagon but hey some of us have to live in the real world haha

Thanks man.

[Ladyfingers]

[QUOTE
If you have the money get an D2a alot of improvements and the ecu beening an NNN on the newer one is great for retunes and mapping[/QUOTE]

Sorry stupid question here but can I chip or retune the 99 td5?? Id love that option to milk a few more kw out of her?? Thanks

[Kaaaiju]

I have an 99 D2 TD5, manual and love it,

Some things to watch out for are the transfer case leaking, the Fuel Pressure Regulator leaking, the Injector Seal leaking, the oil in the ECU, Front Drive Shaft Unis, Rear hubs leaking, Fuel Cooler leaking, Rear main seal leaking, BIG one is the manifold studs snapping from too much heat, etc

There is an list but i done all that my self and its now reliable haha

But seriously its an good 4wd, just need to know the problems and how to fix them

[weeds]

[QUOTE
If you have the money get an D2a alot of improvements and the ecu beening an NNN on the newer one is great for retunes and mapping

Sorry stupid question here but can I chip or retune the 99 td5?? Id love that option to milk a few more kw out of her?? Thanks[/QUOTE]

Yes re-tune are available for the earlier ECU’s.

[Kaaaiju]

[QUOTE
If you have the money get an D2a alot of improvements and the ecu beening an NNN on the newer one is great for retunes and mapping

Sorry stupid question here but can I chip or retune the 99 td5?? Id love that option to milk a few more kw out of her?? Thanks[/QUOTE]

Yeah you can get an chip but you have to get the an ETG gauge to make sure you don't warp the exhaust manifold

[V8Ian]

Buying a D2 TD5 (2002-2004) (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-2-a/130519-buying-d2-td5-2002-2004-a.html)

[Wilyms]

Thanks for the confidence mate, so I drove her around and she felt good, yeah pretty soft in first but good after that.
Yeah its on carsales and gumtree. She has 240xxx on the clock but because the overhaul was like 40xxx clicks ago im not to worried. He is wanting around 5k but I think I can get it for a bit less😂🤞🏽
No CDL which is frustrating but not the end of the world. Ill have to hunt around for some diff locks I think.
Would you recommend getting a pre purchase imspection done on it? Im inclined to get one for peace of mind but she did drive really nice.

Haha yeah there was a little oil leak but nothing crazy 👌🏽

Yeah I would get one done by a LR specialist- not by RACQ - but I guess you just need to be aware you will be spending money on it regardless so do you want to put that money to the first upgrade instead?

Sunny coast - British off-road are up there. They might already know the car.

Had a look on carsales and it looks pretty good! He’s done the headliner and the interior looks good for the age. Asking price is pretty good - rego dependant.

I see there’s no CDL lever but I was getting at are the internals in the TC case, just no mechanism. That’s what mine has.

[Roverlord off road spares]

And it’s great. The manual can be a bit of a pain around town - if it’s like mine which is slow to go back into first. If not then they are a great truck, esp on the highway

Check to see if it has the Centre Diff Lock installed (or ask the owner, he will know by the sounds of it)

The engine overhaul is a big plus

Kms?
Price?
is it on carsales??

ask about window mechanisms, three amigos etc
check the seat squabs for wear

oil leaks come standard but you know that already

suspension can be upgraded cheaply

Hope that helps

The 1999 should have the diff lock internals just not the lever actuator. others have devised methods of engaging it via levers or universal joints with bars thru the centre console..

[Wilyms]

I have an 99 D2 TD5, manual and love it,

Some things to watch out for are the transfer case leaking, the Fuel Pressure Regulator leaking, the Injector Seal leaking, the oil in the ECU, Front Drive Shaft Unis, Rear hubs leaking, Fuel Cooler leaking, Rear main seal leaking, BIG one is the manifold studs snapping from too much heat, etc

There is an list but i done all that my self and its now reliable haha

But seriously its an good 4wd, just need to know the problems and how to fix them

^^^ what he said too

[Ladyfingers]

Thanks for all the insight guys. I really appreciate it! Another question that I cant get a yes or no to is will a later model D2 CDL kit fit into the 99 D2? It will be a step in the right direction, and cheaper than lockers haha.

Thanks again for all the help.

[Kaaaiju]

If it's an CDL lever from the later model's, it will fit you can fit and D1 but you need some modifications IIRC,

But you definitely need Centre diff locks before lockers

I have CDL and the level in my 99 and Tc works great, then I have front and rear Ashcroft lockers and it's unstoppable

Also for that price it's pretty cheap, just much sure you check the oil pump bolt and put lock tight on it

[Wilyms]

Thanks for all the insight guys. I really appreciate it! Another question that I cant get a yes or no to is will a later model D2 CDL kit fit into the 99 D2? It will be a step in the right direction, and cheaper than lockers haha.

Thanks again for all the help.

I’ve done this one. Dirt cheap and works

Discovery 2: Home made CDL diagram and pics (https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php/125625-Home-made-CDL-diagram-and-pics)

There are better looking option using oem gear but more expensive.

[Ladyfingers]

Thanks heaps again guys.
Awesome! Ive booked an inspection for tomorrow morning so I should know if its a go or not by then. Really hoping it works out.

What tyre size and lift do you guys use?? Ive read that a +2 inch is the go and with 32’s? Would a 3 inch lift be worth the effort and $$? Just a thought[emoji848]

[Kaaaiju]

No just an 2 inch with 32inch, that's what I have, lift it any higher then Bushes start to go, the front prop shaft will let go have to extend abs and brake lines, have to muck around alot

[DazzaTD5]

@ what round 240K i think was mentioned? if so then you can be just about guaranteed that the head has already been off and steel locating dowels used during the head refurb.

[Wilyms]

No just an 2 inch with 32inch, that's what I have, lift it any higher then Bushes start to go, the front prop shaft will let go have to extend abs and brake lines, have to muck around alot

Yep agree with this.

Discos are very capable straight off the showroom floor, add decent tyres and they are even better.

Tyres are are a very personal choice. Plenty of threads here about them and depends on your needs.

[Ladyfingers]

Ok.

So there is some bad news, that im really hoping its not to bad so please I need your help.

The disco was inspected this morning and I just got the call from the mechanic and he said he found a fair but of oil in the coolant reservoir. Like he put his finger in it and it was only oil. It was a brown oil pretty dirty (his words).

He has said that it could be an internal engine oil leak into the radiator the into the reservoir.

The owner then quickly googled it and said something like “its not that bad, there is an external oil release near the reservoir”??? I dont have a whole lot if any faith in this guy any more.

And since the inspection he has dropped the price by $1100. So instantly i cautious.

Please help me!!
If you know who I should ask on this site let me know and ill direct message them.
Thanks a heap.

[Pippin]

@ what round 240K i think was mentioned? if so then you can be just about guaranteed that the head has already been off and steel locating dowels used during the head refurb.
Hi Ladyfingers, It looks as though the head gasket hasn't been done in it's lifetime. about 250K is the usual time to have this problem with the early TD5's if it is the head. He needs to drop the price a lot further I think, but best to walk away as you can do much better elsewhere unless you can do the work yourself.
Nick

[Bazzle218]

Time to walk away i'm afraid. It could be the head and or the oil cooler, leaking oil into the cooling system. Which ever way its goin to be a mission to clean out the cooling system and associated components. Thats my opinion only.

[rick130]

This ^

[Wilyms]

Ok.

So there is some bad news, that im really hoping its not to bad so please I need your help.

The disco was inspected this morning and I just got the call from the mechanic and he said he found a fair but of oil in the coolant reservoir. Like he put his finger in it and it was only oil. It was a brown oil pretty dirty (his words).

He has said that it could be an internal engine oil leak into the radiator the into the reservoir.

The owner then quickly googled it and said something like “its not that bad, there is an external oil release near the reservoir”??? I dont have a whole lot if any faith in this guy any more.

And since the inspection he has dropped the price by $1100. So instantly i cautious.

Please help me!!
If you know who I should ask on this site let me know and ill direct message them.
Thanks a heap.

He possibly meant the oil cooler...which can leak into the coolant.
But yeah.... be cautious now.
Shouldnt be the head if the rebuild was done right but does he have receipts or was it DIY?

Are you after a project car or a daily driver straight away? Not sure what’s involved with cleaning that up though.

[DazzaTD5]

As previously mentioned, 240K no way the head hasnt been off.

Oil in coolant, as mentioned, likely to be the engine oil cooler.

WALK AWAY FROM IT, THERE ARE PLENTY A MORE DISCO 2 MODELS OUT THERE....

[thai_tiger]

just a thought could the oil in the expansion tank be residue from what ever happened to the original engine before the rebuild (if not to long ago and if it was genuine recon).
It might be to difficult to establish this from a simple check over but might be worth further investigation especially if price is adjusted accordingly.
That being said I personally would walk away.

[Kaaaiju]

As everyone said WALK AWAY, pay an bit more and get something reliable

Thought It was an bit too cheap, just save yourself and money and pain,

Something better will pop up :)

[AK83]

As everyone said WALK AWAY, pay an bit more and get something reliable

.....

There are no guarantees in life, and with that there is no guarantee that paying more WILL get something more reliable.

So with that.. maybe this is the omen that the OP needed.

Therefore paying less and fixing the issue could well be the more sensible way forward. At least that way whatever the issue is gets fixed.
I can't imagine that fixing the oil cooler will cost $1100 or more.

But the OP will need to be mechanically minded about the deal.
Pay less, do more work himself, and get his car going as good as the more expensive one!

[Kaaaiju]

There are no guarantees in life, and with that there is no guarantee that paying more WILL get something lore reliable.

So with that.. maybe this is the omen that the OP needed.

Therefore paying less and fixing the issue could well be the more sensible way forward. At least that way whatever the issue is gets fixed.
I can't imagine that fixing the oil cooler will cost $1100 or more.

But the OP will need to be mechanically minded about the deal.
Pay less, do more work himself, and get his car going as good as the more expensive one!


I agree 100% with you on that you might spend more and get nothing better

But as you said you have to be mechanically minded and do it yourself to save money and then it can be an good deal

But as I said in my earlier posts, I have done all the work myself so I have saved HUGE Labor cost in the ownership of my discovery

[strangy]

I'm with the majority - walk away, quickly.

Fixing others issues is only for those with the knowledge/skillset, tools, resources and facilities.
Having to have others work on your vehicle of any make is an expensive exercise and one of the key reasons people buy a new vehicle rather than seemingly routine repairs.
Again walk away.