Wanted - Bullet

[china44]

Need someone to come and put 2003 Tdi D2 out of MY misery. The tragedy so far (bit over a year):

Replace some fuel valve/regulator that was as easy to get to as Outer Mongolia (and about as expensive);
Replace shuttle valve (cost as much as space shuttle):
Warped exhaust manifold / broken studs three times so far;
New turbo (could have bought a tropical island with that one);
Trans cooler line burst and sprayed out more oil than the Exxon Valdez;
Water in the BCU that locked us out, killed the indicators, and flashed more lights than a disco;
Flashing odometer (still flashing, can't be bothered);
Cruise control gone on holiday (maybe a cruise?);
Brake rotors with more wobble than my tummy;
Plus more I'm sure i've forgotten

Spent as much as I could to put the boss and kids in something 'reliable'; turns out I bought the mechanical version of Damien from the Exorcist. So much for peace of mind; I now prefer her to take the 21 year-old Nissan.

What a bucket!

[VladTepes]

Sorry to hear that.

I have bullets if you have several thousand acres....

[crash]

Don't sell it as you now have it all sorted.

[dullbird]

Need someone to come and put 2003 Tdi D2 out of MY misery. The tragedy so far (bit over a year):

Replace some fuel valve/regulator that was as easy to get to as Outer Mongolia (and about as expensive);
Replace shuttle valve (cost as much as space shuttle):

Warped exhaust manifold / broken studs three times so far;there is a mod for this do a search

New turbo (could have bought a tropical island with that one);Why the new turbo? dont hear of many of them going
Trans cooler line burst and sprayed out more oil than the Exxon Valdez;
Water in the BCU that locked us out, killed the indicators, and flashed more lights than a disco;

Flashing odometer (still flashing, can't be bothered);Do a search for this too I'm sure someone on here had this problem

Cruise control gone on holiday (maybe a cruise?);Could just be a split hose assuming that it runs on vacuum like the 300tdi

Brake rotors with more wobble than my tummy;was it bought like this of did you run your brake pads down to the point they got so hot you warped your discs
Plus more I'm sure i've forgotten

Spent as much as I could to put the boss and kids in something 'reliable'; turns out I bought the mechanical version of Damien from the Exorcist. So much for peace of mind; I now prefer her to take the 21 year-old Nissan.

What a bucket!

Search is your friend if you want a reliable car and to not spend so much money:)...and you have a TD5 not a TDI

[BigJon]

Flashing odometer is because BCU and instrument cluster are a matched pair. I am guessing the BCU was replaced.

[crump]

jon date December 2009, if only you had found us sooner all the problems could have been much simpler and more than likely cheaper.

[dullbird]

I wonder if he found here because he has seen a very nice green defender driving around the area :angel:

[Grumbles]

That is just so disheartening China44. And it looks like you are in too deep financially to let it go. The bright side is there can't be much more bad karma coming your way - you have had your share. Hopefuly nothing else will go wrong for you.

And don't worry about Mr.Vladtepes wanting to shoot it. Needing several thousand acres as a safety margin to shoot in means he will miss........so your Disco is safe from him. :p

[CraigE]

Sorry to hear the problems, but why is it a lot of people seem to find this site just to complain about their cars? Have to ask wether it is legitimate or a Troll. As soon as I could from the day we got internet several years ago I would research the Land Rovers we bought to find as much info and advice as possible and then advice as issues arose.
There are reasons for all of this and usually neglect plays a big part in some of the mentioned, wether it was China44 or not or a previous owner is the unknown.
As said turbos rarely go and they can usually be rebuilt. I also know where to get one at a reasonable price, certainly 1/2 of retail.
Also the discs would only be from wearing pads to metal, fair wear and tear (depends on kms and application) or extreme heat and driving into water.
I hope China44 is legit and finds some answers here.
Shouldnt a 2003 D2 be a TD5 not a TDi??? If so the cruise control would be ecu related and an electrical problem that may tie into other electrical problems. If it is a TDi then it is likely a vaccum hose has split or come off.

[dullbird]

easy Craig nothing like welcoming a new person:eek:.

[Grumbles]

In retrospect I have sometimes wondered about people doing a troll but it doesn't seem to hit me when I see someone asking for assistance/advice etc and I usually respond without thinking of the dark side of the internet.

I am probably too niave and gullible to be a contributor on the net as I treat people as genuine and honest so I suppose one day it will turn around and bite me.

[Jedimastermat]

Greetings All
I had a similar but not so extensive rough patch with the 99 TD5. While Craig may have been a tad harsh to a newbie, there is merit in some of his commentary. There's brand new cars of any version that are problematic so why use here as a vent session. We all have bits and pieces go at various (and mostly inconvenient) times, as thy say in the classics excretia happens!

Im certainly paying for the sins of my previous owner:mad:. However I view it as a chance to rebuild the bits I was only going to replace anyway. Afterall it is 11 years since 1999 so they arent showroom models.

Mind you the fuel pump blowing up in Sydney Harbour Tunnel was fun :p. NOW... wasnt amused at the time, dont think the traffic stream was either :angel:
But there again it wasnt our innamincka trip. So the tow to Rouse Hill wasnt as bad as a tow to say Broken Hill ;).

More with Crash, spent heaps building it back up again why stop now or ask for bullets. Every replacement is a newer better part thats maintained much more frequently than my prevous owner. End result is D2 will last and reliability has returned:). More of an arguement for a single bullet strategically placed between ones eyes if you repair it all up the get rid of it. Bizzare logic that one.

Just modulator and gearbox to go. Not thrilled about gearbox but new one will go in next month.

Only money that would be otherwise be spent on GST, increased power bills, increased water bills, increased gas bill, higher council rates, increased food costs, increased health insurance, tax :wasntme:

just my 20c
Mat

[CraigE]

easy Craig nothing like welcoming a new person:eek:.
I certainly hope he finds some answers and you know I assist all comers where I can. I just dont think its good ethics to become a member of a site and then immediatelly bag the reason the site was set up.
If China44 is legit I welcome him with open arms and will do all I can to help, but negative posts as an introduction are not really helpfull either. I think the reference to costs annoyed me alittle, yes LR parts can be expensive, but go and price similar Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi etc parts.
The post could have been written in a less critical and more information required slant.
It is a shame he has had to spend so much money on the vehicle, but we have had similar with trolls before.
It is not just an LR problem I personally bought an XD Falcon that looked a million dollars and it was only after getting it home that the lack of maintenance started to become apparent, I will never buy from auction for this reason as you can not test drive. Also look at the issues with the new Captivas?
The issues he has had are not good and can be expensive, but its also a 7yo car that if a previous owner has not kept up maintenance is to be expected.
China44, it was not my intention to upset you and I do welcome you to the forum and hope it helps in the future.

[Ean Austral]

Greetings All,
Well said Craig,
I must admit when I first read the post I questioned the realality of it , but put it down to me being tired and being jetlagged.

I dont wish this sort of problem car on anyone, but I just changed my fuel press reg, and yes its a bugger of a job, but thats the 2nd in 220,000ks and I was told to change them as a part of my 100,000 service as thats about thier life span. As for the other parts, we all know that you need to shop around as there is a big difference in prices between parts sellers..

It could also be a case of Him needing to source a new mechanic as I have read heaps of threads about people changing the ABS shuttle valve unit for a mis-diagnosis from a mechanic.
All these things will contribute to more $$$ being added to the bill.It could be He needs to start learning more about the mechanical side of the car, and with the help available from a great site such as this, it will certainly go along way to reducing the on-going car cost's, that lets face it are mostly wear and tear parts...ie brake rotors, Fuel Press Regs'

The Turbo is only the 2nd i've heard of Failing..But im not a L/R mechanic so it could be more common, but I did price a spare to take on the up-coming Canning trip and felt the $$$ not that bad..

I could Tell you some shocking stories about my AU 111 ford work ute, that seems to eat power steering pumps for no reason and the work that has needed for only having travelled 150,000 makes my Disco seem trouble free.

I hope that if He is for real ,Then Welcome and I hope your trouble's stop and that you use the knowledge and help available from the great people on this site to sort out any more issue's....If he's a troll, then I hope he goes back to where he came from..

Thats my 2cents worth..

Cheers Ean

[dullbird]

well if he is a troll I congratulate him on doing his home work and being inventive as he must of read other peoples whining posts about there cars to come up with the problems that a D2 has:D...could of just said my car is a bag of **** and left it at that.....

[Jojo]

Mate,
when I bought my Disco about 15 years ago (well, 14 actually), I was as happy as the proverbial pig. Until all the troubles started to pour down on me. It has cost me sweat, tears, money, learned me a whole set of new swear words (I even claim I invented some new ones), put a strain on my marriage (but now I can state it did something to strenghten it :cool:), I was on the verge of throwing in and buy something else from the crap sector. But I didn't, and, lo and behold, still own the vehicle. Now with the faults sorted (minor ones appear on a regular basis, though), it is my favourite car. Of course, I own more than one Land Rover (have to) in case one is off duty.


..."It's a Land Rover thing you wouldn't understand!"...

And that's the whole point. You could buy another manufacturer's car with all the bells and whistles. Even with less problems and better reliability. But you will never be able to purchase the spirit and comraderie of being a Land Rover owner.

As for the bullet, I recommend a Royal Enfield one!

Cheers

[PAT303]

Having owned LR's for many years and worked on other makes for a few years too I can say that it is very very common to get people pulling thier hair out over vehicles and what it's costing them,the biggest problem I have found is tradesman seem to not want to learn these days they just stick with what they know and not learn the fobles of different makes and people don't want to spend the money,and mechanics don't spend the time to explain what needs to be done to keep thier vehicles in top condition.One thing that is apparent is that people will go on about how much power or how good thier new vehicle handles but they then complain about the cost to get that performance,everything has a price and that price is higher fuel use,higher tyre and brake wear and higher cost.The best advice I can give is do your own research or pay a LR mechanic to do it for you,not the bloke around the corner. Pat

[scarry]

Having owned LR's for many years and worked on other makes for a few years too I can say that it is very very common to get people pulling thier hair out over vehicles and what it's costing them,the biggest problem I have found is tradesman seem to not want to learn these days they just stick with what they know and not learn the fobles of different makes and people don't want to spend the money,and mechanics don't spend the time to explain what needs to be done to keep thier vehicles in top condition.One thing that is apparent is that people will go on about how much power or how good thier new vehicle handles but they then complain about the cost to get that performance,everything has a price and that price is higher fuel use,higher tyre and brake wear and higher cost.The best advice I can give is do your own research or pay a LR mechanic to do it for you,not the bloke around the corner. Pat

Well Said

The other thing is if you don't do the work yourself,properly,or take it to a SPECIALIST LR mechanc,you are gonna have continual problems.
I also found out the hard way,never take it to the Dealers....unless you want to pay high prices & have work half done.

ALL machinery needs proper servicing to keep it reliable no matter what brand it is...

Many LR's bought 2nd hand have more than likely not been serviced correctly by people that know these vehicles,or the previous owner had a go at doing it himself,& didn't know what he was doing.

People often buy a new vehicle,& loose thousands,often tens of thousands, in depreciation,but won't spend a cent on correct servicing,& then complain the vehicle is a heap of crap,when it fails.

Like tyres,they have a 100k vehicle & then hunt around for the cheapest tyres availabe.

It beats me....

[DeeJay]

So, who thinks this post was genuine????

I think a rabble rouser visits us from time to time, possibly back again and looking for "Hot Aussie Shiela's"

Still its amusing to see the amount sucked in...:wasntme:

[Grumbles]

But what's the alternative to responding DeeJay? If we view seemingly genuine thread starters as non genuine then all that will be left is a whole bundle of threads with one post from the originator. Or do we only respond to those 'known' members on the site. And no - I'm not trying to wind anyone up here - I just can't tell when some-one is genuine or not. It beats me.......sigh.

[china44]

Hi all,

The name's Alan (sorry, should have used it the first time around). I also apologise if I have got up people's noses; that wasn't my intention - I thought the general forum may have been the place to have a general 'gripe'.

I know what a 'troll' is when I go fishing, but not sure what it means here? I can assure everyone here that I am real, the Disco is real, and the problems have most definitely been real!

The forum is great; obviously I wish I had found it earlier. It has helped me with the BCU problem, and also the modification to the exhaust manifold to stop pulled / broken studs etc, so thanks heaps for that.

I'm quite prepared to believe people who tell me I have one of the best 'all terrain' vehicles there is; what I don't have at the moment is the confidence to use it, because it has bitten me too many times. Maybe that will come if it behaves itself for a while!

Regards

Alan

[dullbird]

welcome to the forum Alan.....persist with the car, when you get it right you will not want to part with the truck.

[Ean Austral]

Gday Alan, and Welcome,

stick with it , I had a D1 that was a great car till the timing belt broke, then I went thru what you have been thru, and spent a bucket load of money getting it right, only to sell it and the guy who bought it has had a trouble free car..

Hope your troubles are sorted and the disco redeems itself..


Cheers Ean

[Grumbles]

Quote - what I don't have at the moment is the confidence to use it, because it has bitten me too many times. Maybe that will come if it behaves itself for a while!-Quote


Hello Alan.

I understand where you are coming from. Been there and done that but beleive me that the uncertainty of a hassle free trip does pass. It just takes a bit of reliable driving to increase your confidence. Each of us is different so the amount of time needed is variable.

And many thanks for the explanation - not many would have bothered.

And yes - you do have one of the best all terrain vehicles around. Second only to the Rangie of course hehe.

[china44]

Not sure much 'trouble free' motoring I need to get confidence in the Disco, but I feel like 3 months doesn't cut it - Transmission bled all over the driveway over Easter; trans guy says case is split and has quoted a sum to fix it that would pull an African country out of poverty!

Here we go again!

[dullbird]

I'm sorry to hear that Alan you must of bought a real dog of a car..to have so many things break

[PAT303]

Not sure much 'trouble free' motoring I need to get confidence in the Disco, but I feel like 3 months doesn't cut it - Transmission bled all over the driveway over Easter; trans guy says case is split and has quoted a sum to fix it that would pull an African country out of poverty!

Here we go again!

Case is split????.Take it to a ZF service/repairer and have them look at it.When did you service the tranny last?,it needs to be done every 50k and will set you back around $270.Ring ZF direct and find the nearest one. Pat

[MickS]

Need someone to come and put 2003 Tdi D2 out of MY misery. The tragedy so far (bit over a year):

Replace some fuel valve/regulator that was as easy to get to as Outer Mongolia (and about as expensive);
Replace shuttle valve (cost as much as space shuttle):
Warped exhaust manifold / broken studs three times so far;
New turbo (could have bought a tropical island with that one);
Trans cooler line burst and sprayed out more oil than the Exxon Valdez;
Water in the BCU that locked us out, killed the indicators, and flashed more lights than a disco;
Flashing odometer (still flashing, can't be bothered);
Cruise control gone on holiday (maybe a cruise?);
Brake rotors with more wobble than my tummy;
Plus more I'm sure i've forgotten

Spent as much as I could to put the boss and kids in something 'reliable'; turns out I bought the mechanical version of Damien from the Exorcist. So much for peace of mind; I now prefer her to take the 21 year-old Nissan.

What a bucket!

Is that all?? :D Has the oil pump bolt gone yet? Make sure you get that checked.

You're going well mate, and welcome. As others have said, and this is firmly my belief, you have obviously fixed many of the dramas. You have invested too much in the beast to trade it in on another marque. Your confidence will grow each time you go out in it...and the best way to go out in it is to jump on some of the forum forays into the scrub.

[mike 90 RR]

trans guy says case is split and has quoted a sum to fix it that would pull an African country out of poverty!

Here we go again!

Are you sure this ride wasn't in a major accident?? before you bought it ... As it would take some massive forces to split a case .... If you have seen some of the photos of what some of the members make there cars do on some of the tracks (Literately caning it) ... then you would realise that they are quite a robust Auto

I would recheck the hoses or the seal between the Auto & transfer case or have the tranny guy actually show you this "split"


But if it is a split ... Then I would take Pats advise fairly seriously.....


Case is split????.Take it to a ZF service/repairer and have them look at it.When did you service the tranny last?,it needs to be done every 50k and will set you back around $270.Ring ZF direct and find the nearest one. Pat

and then I would question the history of this ride

Mike