Thread: New member with a new Disco

TO THE MADHOUSE

Originally Posted by SeanP

Hey all, I've been lurking around the site for a few weeks as I purchased a 94 V8 D1 4 weeks ago. I wanted a cheap 4wd that was so cheap I dont have to worry about scratches, mud, dirt, etc when I take it out bush. As I have been told, the most capable 4wd is one you don't make repayments on!

1994 Land Rover Discovery V8i - 4wd, 187 666, Automatic Auction (0002-3400957) | GraysOnline Australia

Is my car which I won site unseen from an auction. $1009! My sister collected the car and has been driving it for me to see if there are any issues. At this point she says it is quite nice. Appears to have a full service history serviced every 10km. RWC done last year about 1000km ago too. I have found out the brake lights don't work, but the reverse lights do, so a new pedal switch has been sourced and will be fitted.

I live in Darwin, with my family in Vic, hence why my sister has the car. I am flying down tonight/this morning to collect it and then start the drive back up. Route is Traralgon, Melbourne, Adelaide thence Darwin. I plan on checking over the car and likely replacing diff, TC and gearbox fluids. I'll also flush the radiator too due to the heat and extended trip back. I'll check over the drive shafts and unis too.

Any advice on what else to cover for basic maintenance before the 3988km trip back? I'll snap some more photos and get them up along with any thing else that's exciting! Looking forward to being part of the disco club.

Welcome. Recommend you pull up the carpets and look for rust. Also in the chassis. Be fussy about the cooling system. Get the auto serviced, including the filter inside the auto. They are not complicated, but they do need attention.

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Check the water pump is not leaking through the weep hole or the seal directly. Get a brass radiator plug to replace the plastic one.

Couple of weeks ago a British couple bought a Disco v8 in Darwin and broke down at Noonamah where I live.

I did laugh at the sight of the bonnet up and the young girl waving for help, as I pulled off the Stuart Hwy in my trusty Toyota Troopy.

She and the boyfriend knew nothing about cars (at that stage )

She '...do you think I made a bad choice; it's a good car isn't it...' Me uncommitted '...maybe...'.

Seems she did all the negotiating with the previous backpacker owner and made the decision to buy. Boyfriend was not involved.

The leaking pump had drained the system and the steam split the plastic fill plug. The leak on the pump was obvious when looking up underneath the vehicle, and more obvious when off, by the clear drip line through otherwise dirty exterior.

Lucky for them I had just stripped a v8 Disco so I had a pump and spare plastic plug (not giving up my brass ones for nothing). The boyfriend to his credit jumped in, and now knows how to replace the belts and a water pump. The girl '...it's not womens' work...' and went off to sunbake, despite my warning about getting burnt in the Darwin sun.

Yeah, ditto re replacing plastic with brass plugs. The plastic plugs break when twisted, so there're one-use only. As well as the radiator one, if its a 300Tdi there's also a plastic one at the top of the engine.

Where about are those plugs? I can see the one on top of the radiator, mine is metal. I haven't identified any on the block though. It looks like it has a new water pump and alternator fitted. No leaks from here. New hoses are on order as they are weeping and just generally past their use by date.

Car is running fairly well. I've done the basics so far, new fluids and filters all round and gave the throttle and MAF a clean and swapped the plugs. Helped the idle and increased the speed to start. Plugs were filthy, but new... It appears to be running rather rich as they are pretty heavily fouled, so is there any way to adjust the AFR simply? Also, I don't have access to a timing light but want to increase the BTDC timing by a few degrees. So, I intend to wind the dizzy anti clockwise about 5* and take it for a drive and see how it goes. Any thoughts or come backs on that?

The V8 only seems to have one plug, on the radiator, which already seems to have been converted to metal on yours - good. The diesel Disco 1 has another on the thermostat housing. Don't know the petrol engines very well so can't comment on timing issues etc.

TC and rear diff oil was beautiful, but the front diff oil was grey and disgusting. My guess is water is getting in somewhere. Likely through any of the seals as this thing leaks like a sieve!

I advanced the timing by a few degrees and idle speed picked up, however it is now taking a pooftenth longer to start, just noticeable on the cranking over. Besides that I think a fair few of the 180 original horses have bolted!

Unfortunately coming from my high HP daily it is a bit of a slug (yes expected, but this is even beyond expectations ��).

If the front diff oil was suss, I'd also check the wheel bearings to make sure they haven't been affected by the water ingress. You don't want to be stuck on the side of the road with buggered bearings.

OH and Welcome to the forum and Disco ownership. Enjoy!