Disco Ultimatum.

[DAMINK]

I have a weekend planned with the boys this weekend. Camping and hitting the tracks. Usual stuff.
They all own Toyotas and Datsuns.

If my Disco lets me down she is gone and my days of LR are likely over.
Harsh words i know but i have spend loads and loads of cash on this old girl. Years of relentless work really. But recently spend even more with replacing engine blah blah.
Last couple of days she let me down when taking the kids to school and that really ticked me off.

She is running good now largely apart from a over fueling problem i cant seem to work out. Come to the conclusion its just the reality of these engines.
Had some starting problems recently but fixed those today.

If she lets me down i am going to sell her. Or burn her in the bush depending on what and where.

I have loved this car for years despite it leaking everywhere no matter how many times i changed gaskets and seals. Braking diffs and donuts regularly. Electrical gremlins i can never seem to find. Fuel consumption that just defies logic. I still look for leaking fuel :) But she runs good. Well not rich like i would expect from a car that eats fuel at a rate of 25l per 100k.

Dunno just at the end. Everyone has to give up on cars that are just too old but damn i love her.
If she can get me there and back without causing me any issues then i will reward her a new paint job. All matt black.

Seems a fair deal.

Im putting it out there fair and square. I hope she reads this...................

[bee utey]

Have you properly adjusted the idle mixture on the MAF?

[justinc]

Is the thermostat opening at the right temp??? The warmup program is a huge fuel user. These things need to get to operating temperature quickly..

[DAMINK]

Yea i have gone through all the tests.
Maf, TPS and checked sensors fuel and temp. Using this link as a guide.

Lucas 14CUX Fuel Injection System – Installation and Diagnostic Notes. - ACT Performance Products - your source for after market TVR upgrades, components and performance accessories. (http://www.actproducts.co.uk/2011/lucas-14cux-fuel-injection-system-%E2%80%93-installation-and-diagnostic-notes/)

Yes it warms up to about 1/2 way and stays there. Thermo is definitely opening.

I figure running 33x10.5 muddies without diff ratio changes has some effect on the fuel issue.

[DAMINK]

Started the car this morning to warm her up while kids are getting ready for school drop off. Waited until fully warmed up.
Kids in car, hit reverse and stalls.

Took 5 minutes after that to start it!!!!!!!
I leave in 4 hrs. Not looking good.
She is not happy with me, dunno why but she is not.

[LRJim]

Started the car this morning to warm her up while kids are getting ready for school drop off. Waited until fully warmed up.
Kids in car, hit reverse and stalls.

Took 5 minutes after that to start it!!!!!!!
I leave in 4 hrs. Not looking good.
She is not happy with me, dunno why but she is not.Sounds like a sign from the gods that something bad will happen. Tell the disco your not going on the trip and I'm sure she will start.
That's no good hope you get it running, it's always the way when you are going on holiday or to work. Something goes funny..
Is it the same on gas and petrol?
Cheers Jim

[DAMINK]

Sounds like a sign from the gods that something bad will happen.


Yea i have had the same thoughts.

[DAMINK]

Packed the car and tried to start it. NO JOY!!! lol.
Did notice a small brake in the wire to the amplifier. Moved that and it started.
15 minutes until we leave. God its not looking good.

[LRJim]

Hopfully its all it is! I hate how 1 wire can be the death of them. Where abouts are you heading?

[bee utey]

Packed the car and tried to start it. NO JOY!!! lol.
Did notice a small brake in the wire to the amplifier. Moved that and it started.
15 minutes until we leave. God its not looking good.

Loose connections aka Terminal Disease can be bad for your mental health! Had the sis in law's car here for a few days with intermittent stopping, same deal, a dodgy non factory connector was EVENTUALLY found to the problem. Don't give up too quickly!

[Geedublya]

I have admiration for the enthusiasts that persevere with old cars (especially British/European). After owning a few Italian bikes I can empathise.

[trout1105]

You have to remember that you are driving a 20 year old 4WD and as such you have to expect reliability problems with it.
Going bush is Not all about impressing all yor toyota/datsun mates, It's about having fun.
Anyone can rock up in a tricked up 79 series V8 But it takes a special breed to venture out in an old Disco and do the same tracks as the newer/more capable 4WD's.

[AK83]

....
Anyone can rock up in a tricked up 79 series V8 But it takes a special breed to venture out in an old Disco and do the same tracks as the newer/more capable 4WD's.

Zactly! .. and you'd be doing them a service to point out that you did it for approximately 1/10th the cost .. or less! ;)

[DAMINK]

Just got back home. Moments before i left i decided to change the battery. Wifes idea i have to say.
Cant say if that helped but my car DELIVERED!!!!!!

Hundreds of ks. All of us got bogged in snow and mud and huge ruts. Heaps of river crossings and multiple winch outs. Snatching and all sorts to get each other out. Loads of stop starts. Thick snow and the beast did not miss a beat!
Took us about 4 hrs to do a small track of about 1km. Was a cue of bogged people and others attempting. Great fun had i tell ya. Clay everywhere though. Car is gunna need a clean in and out.

We ended up going to thompsons damn and all around there and the next day (today) went to mount pleasant and a heap of narly tracks all around that area.

Ended up as a convoy of 5 cars. Good selection actually. Hilux, colorado, navara, some mitsubishi and my car. Here is a pic of us at the top of the mountain. Loads of snow.

143622

Ran my dashcam for most of the trip so will have some good videos i will have a look at later.

Long story short the old girl delivered. And delivered big time. Flawless in every way. Hell even did well on fuel!! Dont ask me how that works but im not complaining.

Did have the brakes fade out totally on me at one point. Not good timing either but once they cooled down they come back to normal. My fault, i was not using the auto as i should have and was riding the brakes too much.

[DAMINK]

Seen one older guy with his son there in a brand new hilux with all the kit. He was in the cue to get through a bad bit that required winching.
We decided to be the winchers for the cue. Well some of them. Actually the old bugger cue jumped too but we wont say anything bad about that. He is new to the game apparently.

The crazy old bugger took the total wrong approach and smashed his left corner of the bullbar into the rut. Deep ruts! Bend his brand new bar into his guard!!!
The guy did not even get out and look at it! Just having too much fun. Hat goes off to the guy. He knew he bent something when he hit the wall. His son screamed blue murder lol.

He waited for us at the top of the hill to chat with us which was good as he left his brand new snatch strap there so i gave it back to him. (he did not even know lol)

Something about being out in the sticks, people are so much more relaxed, willing to help and just nice!

You cant see him properly but he is the white car facing the camera. Bad pics sorry but its a new cheapy phone i purchased just for the trip.

143627

You cant see the damage. Its behind the car (his left side) And i think the bar actually bounced back a bit after the hit, but the guard took a hit hahaha.

Fun times fun times.

Now i got to paint my car matt black as i promised her before i left.

[discomatt69]

Good to hear the old girl went well, do you have a track list you drove?

[grey_ghost]

Mate I think that you owe your Landy an apology! Probably the oldest vehicle by a long shot and you had a ball!! Go the old Landy! [emoji1303][emoji3]

[DAMINK]

Good to hear the old girl went well, do you have a track list you drove?

I will try get it later today and post it up. A few of the guys know those tracks really well and will remember them. I dont, most of it was the first time for me.

[AK83]

.... A few of the guys know those tracks really well and will remember them. I dont, most of it was the first time for me.

Get yerself a small tablet(Android) and get OziExplorer for it(about $25).
Once familiar with it all, you'll be the one leading the way ;)

[DAMINK]

Car has been running perfect for the last week or so and many hundreds of kms. Mostly offroad stuff.

Wife drove it to a wedding last night. 300ks round trip. Car ran like crap for her the whole time! Nothing but trouble.

I drove it today on a 200kms round trip and it ran perfect.

I told the wife you need to do something good to her in order for her to behave. She took it to the shop and it died on her. I warned her! Would not start.

She had to call me and get advice. Which consisted of "Ok turn on the ignition... Do you hear the fuel pump...""YESSS"" ok now start it..... ( She gets confused on the technical stuff )

"" Yes its running good now ""

I had to laugh.