Thread: My 1st disco

Whereabouts in Melb would ye be, lad?

Pete

thank you to everyone for there advice attached are some pics of the before and compared to some photos that I have seen showing the damage that water has caused. I think I'm pretty lucky. I think I had more problems with ants than rust. I have no idea how the previous owner was not aware of them as the buggers bite...

The third photo is what I would like some more information about as it appears to have been connected to something once in its life, does anyone recognise this wiring? It was in the front passenger side if that helps.

The last photo was everything from the car in the garage takes up a lot of space.

cleaned the floor with rust eater stuff and hit it with some special paint to cover it all up I think its enamel based as its still not dry.... but while i was waiting for that too supposably dry I decided to take off the seat covers and see how the interior has faired and I was quite surprised and they cleaned up alright.

so this week to put it all back together and get a new windscreen fitted, should be interesting to see what i find behind the old screen hopefully nothing lol...

Originally Posted by Pierre

Whereabouts in Melb would ye be, lad?

Pete

Hello Pete I'm 25kms west of Melb in Point Cook. You wouldn't know of a good mechanic out this way that you could recommend or radiator place?

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

As others have said, be fussy about the floor in the front as this is a known rust point with D1s. 'Ive just had 2 holes in mine welded up. Rip everything up and bath it in rust converter and let it sit for a couple of days. Then coat it in nice thick black rust converter style paint. Then coat the whole lot in fish oil or lanolin or something similar.
Apart from windscreen leaks there is also a rubber grommet on the firewall above the accelerator which can leak. I got mine sealed up when the floor was welded.
Other rust spots are the opera windows up high in the back and the floor in the luggage area. If in doubt, give the rear floor a bath in rust converter and a coast of paint and lanolin.
If you haven't already, I strongly suggest you do a complete replacement of fluids: engine, gearbox and diff oils, brake fluid, coolant etc. Do the lot.
Timing belt must be done every 80,000 ks on a diesel, not sure about the V8.
Rubber hoses on the fuel lines can leak.
They're good things, but they need maintenace.

Thanks Discomick, this week hopefully get a new windscreen in and then look at the cooling system next, when on the road the so called temp gauge sits 1/4 in the normal section, so i assume that is ok? but regardless will get the radiator rodded or replaced if needed and then service all moving parts.

I agree with you that maintenance is important and after fixing for few things now all the elecs work, driving lights wired up correctly, cruise control, washers, and rear wiper motor now behaving itself. I think the disco is a great vehicle and has its own personality and so far so good.

Originally Posted by big guy

For low water alarms, check the search area here.
Not sure of the name but dead easy to install and worth every cent.

If you poked around underneath and water came out somewhere, does sound like blocked condensate drain hose.

I suggest you take it to a very good Landy mechanic in your area, he can get radiator rodded, check all timing, clearances, noises and potential issues.

These are older style cars now and some money spend on prevention is well worth spend IMHO.

I like buying a bit low and than spending a bit(lot) on them to get it reliable.

Worked for me so far.

Try and do oil changes every say 7500km's to reduce wear and above all, keep on top of cooling system. Thats where most issues start, get that sorted and you are sitting pretty.

Thanks big guy warren posted a link to one which I think Davy stocks but not certain about screwing something in to a water hose or header tank.... Also found the engine watchdog which has some positive reviews so i think that might be a better solution.

She does need a service which I will get a mechanic to do the first one and then should be ok for me as I will know more about whats going on. im also interested in knowing more about the quality of the drive train especially the diff centre and axles. not that I will be climbing everest but dont particularly want to be stuck in a rut either.

Originally Posted by spike076

The last photo was everything from the car in the garage takes up a lot of space.
..

Hey Spike, that last photo wasn't just to show off your week day ride was it?