Thread: 300 Tdi FAULTS

Sounds like you need to order belt tensioner ASAP. The worn bearing on the belt tensioner is the problem. I had a squeaky belt on my disco 300, ignored it and paid the price by spending a couple of hours on the side of the Pacific Highway in 35 degree heat unraveling rows of serpentine belt from behind the fan. I only just managed to limp back four klm to the nearest town on two rows of belt by staying under 20 klm/ph and low revs. there are some good tips and links on this forum on how to get by until your new belt tensioner arrives. one involves loosening off the bolt that secures the tensioner just enough to slip a 5 cent piece behind it at about the 10 o'clock position and tightening the bolt back up. This is to realign the pulley so as to stop it from throwing the belt off ( or slice ribs off the belt ). The other involves a bit more work by replacing the belt tensioner pulley bearing ( which is not meant to be a replaceable item ).
Sorry I can't remember the exact links, but look for them. They are there somewhere and they work. I used both !

Sorry, I should have suggested checking the condition of the belt tensioner pulley first. This is done by using a lever against the spring loaded arm of the belt tensioner to release the pressure of the pulley on the belt. While keeping weight on the lever with one hand you will be able to slip the belt out of the way with your other hand. Then carefully release the weight on the lever. Now that the pulley is free of the belt you can check condition of the bearing inside the pulley for excessive wear by trying to give it a "wobble" with your thumb and fingers. A little bit of "wobble" is a lot of wear. I hope this helps.

I think the main thing to do with an old car is not to panic. The 300 Tdi & drive line is fairly well sorted. The suspension sounds a bit tired, but it's inherently reliable, and can be done in sections, Front axle/ back axle etc as your funds permit.

Sort out the show stoppers first; Serpentine belt, steering brakes, oil leaks you need to be philosophical about, they're relative, landrover usually have a few, but they're not normally a big problem as long as you monitor them.

With the aid of a good mechanic, The Tdi should have a few miles left in her yet, good luck with the old Disco.

Originally Posted by simmo

I think the main thing to do with an old car is not to panic. The 300 Tdi & drive line is fairly well sorted. The suspension sounds a bit tired, but it's inherently reliable, and can be done in sections, Front axle/ back axle etc as your funds permit.

Sort out the show stoppers first; Serpentine belt, steering brakes, oil leaks you need to be philosophical about, they're relative, landrover usually have a few, but they're not normally a big problem as long as you monitor them.

With the aid of a good mechanic, The Tdi should have a few miles left in her yet, good luck with the old Disco.

Yep, that's what I'm doing Serpentine belt was fixed at the minor service along with new engine oil, filter and fuel filter. Everything else on the list except for the perished fuel filler hose, which is obsolete will be sorted by the end of the week. As I write this the Duck is in at Opposite Lock Penrith having it's Xrox winch bar, and my Grande 12000lb winch fitted. Thanks Mike at OL for the lend of his Pradoto take to work tomorrow. In the pipeline is a dual purpose deep cycle/cranking AGM to operate the winch when required. That will leave the Optima Yellow top the sole duty of kicking over the diesel. I've ordered most of my parts from Roverlord...thanks for the speedy service guys. Suspension was a bit tired, but I like the soft OEM spring so am having a set of 2 inch spacers fitted from APT along with a set of Terrafirma Pro Sport shocks to suit a 2 inch lift. I may replace the OEM coils later, but I'll see how it goes with all new bushes throughout along with a Tough Dog RTC steering damper. The original was very tired at 300,000km! Taking the Duck for its maiden offroad drive over Easter

Just a thought..... When was the timing belt done? Things like rear brake shoes worn and the issue with the serpentine belt wouldn't fill me with confidence in the previous owner sticking to a strict maintenance schedule
They are a pretty bulletproof old bus, and I agree with the other poster's that most of what you describe is fair wear and tear for the mileage.
You'll love it once you've taken it out bush

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You dont to winch off the aux. battery , without significant power going to it it will die in no time.
Always use the cranking battery with engine running for winching.

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I agree with loan Rangie, about using the main battery for winching my car has only one battery, it's big one though from a truck. And its done a lot of winching, the winch drum bushes were worn out and I rebuilt it. Warn XD 9000, the bits are cheap and can get mail order.

Make sure you have an winch power isolator switch fitted, its a 400 amp cable running to the winch, if it's live and you have a accident and the cable is damaged, a fire is very likely. I hope all goes well on your trip to the bush. cheers