To read forums or not?

[ATH]

That is the question. The more I read of broken crankshafts or body off for simple things like belt changes and a plethora of other Land Rover only problems like not being able to get them fixed out of the metro areas, the more I wonder whether I should go to the darkside where they're unbreakable and unstoppable and nothing ever goes wrong..... or so the comic reading advert believing lot would have us think.
A bloke I used to know at work had the attitude that you never hear anything positive on forums so he didn't bother reading them. Always had his Puma Defender serviced by a bloke who supposedly knew Landies well so I thought he would be well up to date on problems newer vehicles could have.
Apparently not as the blokes shaft between g/box and transfer gave up working on his way back from a fairly remote trip but luckily it was at a road house on the way to Kal. When he told me I responded by saying it was a known fault and he's never spoken to me since.
I usually think being forewarned is to be forearmed as they say but sometimes reading the costs people have from stuffed engines and gearboxes leads me to think that maybe ignorance really is bliss. Until the unexpected happens that is.
AlanH.

[p38arover]

Not a vehicle-specific question. Move to General Chat?

[Eric SDV6SE]

Agree AlanH, personally id rather be informed than not at all. Yes theres a few issues with our vehicles, but also with all other makes. I would (and do) feel better knowing what the potential and likely issues are so that then when things do go wrong, we know what to look for. Doesn't make me stop listening to each and every engine noise, suspension creak and wonder what is next going to fall off or fail, but i think this gives such a better understanding of what's going on with our cars. Learning and reading on forums like here helps to be prepared and look for solutions.

[scarry]

Agree AlanH, personally id rather be informed than not at all. Yes theres a few issues with our vehicles, but also with all other makes. I would (and do) feel better knowing what the potential and likely issues are so that then when things do go wrong, we know what to look for. Doesn't make me stop listening to each and every engine noise, suspension creak and wonder what is next going to fall off or fail, but i think this gives such a better understanding of what's going on with our cars. Learning and reading on forums like here helps to be prepared and look for solutions.

Same here,I have learnt so much about what to look for on vehicles,and what to keep an eye out for,it’s rediculous.

It’s no good not wanting to know,like not going to the doctor if something isn’t right.

What I should be doing is thanking all those that have helped,but there are to many to thank...[biggrin]

[ATH]

Sorry for not being specific enough and it should have gone in GC really I suppose. But does any other vehicle have to have the body off to do such a simple normal maintenance thing like changing the belts? If I'd heard of that one in 2016 when I bought the D4, I certainly wouldn't have.
But having had 5 Landies, present D4, a 300Tdi Disco, Td5, 300Tdi and Puma Defender with just one breakdown (Td5) requiring LRs warranty assistance, maybe I'm worrying too much about possible crankshafts breaking etc. Maybe ignorance is bliss as I said as the other 3 owners very nearby to me, one with both a Td5 Disco and D4 don't seem to have problems or even think about them.
AlanH.

PS. actually I completely forgot the bloody EPB prob. I had which got fixed under warranty. Damn stupid thing and I want a dipstick. :(

[DieselLSE]

Sorry for not being specific enough and it should have gone in GC really I suppose. But does any other vehicle have to have the body off to do such a simple normal maintenance thing like changing the belts? If I'd heard of that one in 2016 when I bought the D4, I certainly wouldn't have.
But having had 5 Landies, present D4, a 300Tdi Disco, Td5, 300Tdi and Puma Defender with just one breakdown (Td5) requiring LRs warranty assistance, maybe I'm worrying too much about possible crankshafts breaking etc. Maybe ignorance is bliss as I said as the other 3 owners very nearby to me, one with both a Td5 Disco and D4 don't seem to have problems or even think about them.
AlanH.

PS. actually I completely forgot the bloody EPB prob. I had which got fixed under warranty. Damn stupid thing and I want a dipstick. :(
Alan, I don't see a problem with body off. The car is designed that way. It is actually a quite straightforward procedure. No, you can't do it in your backyard and yes, you do need a suitable hoist. But consider that when it's time to do your belts it is also time to check heaps of other stuff. And what better way to have a good look at the car than to remove the body and have clear access to everything?
The oil level gizmo is brilliant (but I concede it would be a pain if the sensor failed) and I've come to love the EPB. It, and the electronics of the HDC system is brilliant for going uphill and needing to stop or reverse or whatever. Useless for downhill, ironically. Gee, what's wrong with using the gears and engine braking? I switch the HDC on for uphill and off for downhill!

[ian4002000]

I was chatting to Ritters a few months ago and they are able to change the rear belt with the body on, if the mechanic has small hands.

This can be a time saver when needed.

I find a lot of good info from reading Forums but i do have to filter out some of the info found. Some people do seem to have more problems than others but this may just be the maintenance history of the vehicles.
I have noticed that Land Rovers have more problems whilst under warranty than after the warranty expires.

This leads me to purchase used Land Rovers to avoid trips to the dealers.


Ian
Bittern

[DieselLSE]

I was chatting to Ritters a few months ago and they are able to change the rear belt with the body on, if the mechanic has small hands.
Yes. Daniel at Romsey British Automotive in central Vic has done this successfully for many years now. And I know many other Indies do, too.

[Eric SDV6SE]

Yes. Daniel at Romsey British Automotive in central Vic has done this successfully for many years now. And I know many other Indies do, too.
My belts were done body on by LR under service as part of the Lease agreement. Ringing around to get a price check showed they were competitively priced.

[Barraman]

I like to be informed - then make my own assessment of the issues. My 2015 has raked up 170,000 km, much of it towing a 2,5T boat.

I don't lie awake at night worrying about what might go wrong - just maintain RACQ Platinum and go anywhere I want to go!

I have had very few issues with my D4, but will not buy a D5 with what I have read - plus its ugly! [bigsmile]

My belts were done body on by the local dealer - for what seemed to be a fair price!

[Tombie]

Those baulking at body off when the vehicle is designed for it seem to forget on older LRs you took the seats out, floor off and lifted the driveline out the door!

Body off is brilliant, takes minimal time and allows everything to be done perfectly and easily.

We’re all getting older so a hoist for backyard mechanics is the best purchase ever!


My vehicles EPB is perfect - servicing and adjustment is all that’s needed for a long healthy life.

The electronic oil sensor is theoretically and in use, excellent. The vehicle won’t let that engine run out of oil. A far better outcome vs dipping a stick - many get that wrong!

[DiscoDB]

Those baulking at body off when the vehicle is designed for it seem to forget on older LRs you took the seats out, floor off and lifted the driveline out the door!

Body off is brilliant, takes minimal time and allows everything to be done perfectly and easily.

We’re all getting older so a hoist for backyard mechanics is the best purchase ever!


My vehicles EPB is perfect - servicing and adjustment is all that’s needed for a long healthy life.

The electronic oil sensor is theoretically and in use, excellent. The vehicle won’t let that engine run out of oil. A far better outcome vs dipping a stick - many get that wrong!

Being able to take the body off is cool. Even cooler if it could be done without a hoist - like a portable lift kit that could raise the body high enough to safely work under.

Can’t comment on the 3L D4 - but the D3 seems you can do most if not all maintenance without needing to remove the body - including turbo removal - with about the only exception being an engine removal.

Between this forum and the Disco3.co.uk forum you can find a solution to pretty much everything. So keep reading.

[4bee]

Read on another UK Forum that on this bloke's Rover Sedan the body needed to come off to replace a Lightbulb Fer cryin' out loud. Obviously no longer a case of stopping off at your local servo on the way home from work. & pick up a couple of bulbs.[bighmmm]

[Lukeis]

Back to the OP..

I admit to thinking the same Alan, yep good arguments for forewarned is forearmed and of course reading about it (or not reading about it) doesn’t change your chances of having any issues.

However, yes after just spending 9k on a gearbox I’ve been reading the crankshaft post as well and it scares me too.

I really like LR’s but I personally don’t like the idea of spending the money needed for a new car so at 70k a second hand one without warranty starts to feel more like a risk with every post you read.

Then again I work in financial advice which means I question the value in everything, perhaps I’m better suited to the ignorance is bliss method.

[4bee]

Then again I work in financial advice which means I question the value in everything, perhaps I’m better suited to the ignorance is bliss method.

Or the alternative.
[ Lukeis thought bubble on] You know all bastard, get on with it then but don't blame me when the brown stuff hits the whirly thing. [/Thought bubble off] :soapbox: [biggrin]