Thread: Where to from here ? . . . 21 years and 600k's then Bang!!

I have owned my 300TDi Disco from new for 21 years and covered 600,000k's

It has been a great vehicle with no accidents and I really love driving it. Love the simplicity and earthy feel.

10 days ago whilst coming back from Bathurst around 2.30pm along Bells Line of Road near Mt Tomah, I was overtaking an old fella in a white Toyota Camry who would speed up on the dual lanes, and slow down on the single lane and would always brake mid corner . . . I digress. Anyway as I was passing him at 80kph in 3rd in the ZF Auto there was a loud bang followed by an instant loss of power and some serious vibration. A look in the mirror showed a cloud of debris and oil all smoke, along with oil over the road.

It came to a complete halt on a blind corner but dual lane. I pulled across as far as I could against an armco but was in a precarious situation. Turning the key gave me nothing, and quickly got on the phone to the NRMA. A fellow in a Land Cruiser going the other way asked if I needed and hand. I quickly accepted his kind offer and he turned around and I had my snatch strap out in no time. He towed me up the hill about 200mtrs and out of harms way. There was oil everywhere so after I called the NRMA call which said I had to wait 90 mins for a patrolman to come and inspect the engine to see if I would get a tow. then I called the Fire brigade and they sent a team to clean up the oil spill. :thumb

The Patrolman finally arrived and said yes it will need a tow. He would call back in and have NRMA arrange a tow, about another 90 Mins apparently. While I was waiting I got under the bullbar and took a look





I sent my wife with the patrolman who took her to Mt Victoria Station to get the train back to collect our kids.

At about 7pm I get call from NRMA saying that my case was lost in their new system and a Tow truck had just been ordered, possibly another 90 minutes. Great service for a Gold Member . . . not!

Trevor arrived in about an hour from Windsor and George was loaded onto the Tilt Tray. He was a nice fellow and we chatted all the way to Peakhurst to Roving Mechanical.



Now my dilema . . .

At the good wifes insistance I purchased a D4 TDV6 from Tweed area and drove it home on Thursday, fitted Hand Controls on Friday and am driving to Adelaide Monday. Its a very nice vehicle and I can fault it but it doesnt have the old TDi rumble and presence.

The motor is abviously toast and needs a rebuild / replacement.

I am in a bit of a spot what to do. I dont think I can sell the car to a wrecker or parts. Like I said its covered 600'000k's and has been well maintained. It was booked in for a timing belt and a few other items this week. Never been in an accident. has Bullbar and snorkel, Bilstein Suspension. Kings springs . .

Do I look for a new bottom end and see what I can salvage off the original motor.

Look for a 2.8 powerstroke kit and install into my block. . . . .

I really liked my D1 and would be happier driving it still. I do like the cruise control on the D4.

It is a bit tired and needs some loving. Still has the orignal windscreen which is bit sand blasted

The exhaust manifold has been leaking soot for some time and thought about fitting a 200TDI manifold and a bit of tuning to suit . . .

Open to thoughts and possile options. . .

Pezz

If you are any good with the spanners then you could rough as guts patch up on the engine by replacing the busted con rod and put another sump on her Or better still do a full bottom end rebuild.
Getting a second hand (Low mileage if possible) engine is probably the cheapest and easiest option But like the other poster said it is a "pig in a poke" situation because you don't know for certain that the new engine will last.

I faced a simmilar situation with serious breakdown of the V8 in my D2a recently and opted to have the old engine repaired.
My engine break down wasn't as dramatic a yours But it still required getting the heads serviced, new hydraulic lifters, plugs and leads, new radiator and hoses, new water pump and idler pullies/serpentine belt, new head gaskets and the sump removed to clean it and the bottom end of the engine.
The bottom end was also checked out before everything was refitted and thankfully everything was in good order But it still cost me $4,500 for all this work
which is quite a few quids to spend on a truck that is only worth about 10,000.
Having spent another $5,000 in the 2 years previously on other repairs and mods to the truck I have over invested by about 10K But at the end of the day I now have a Very Reliable 4WD that is comfortable, will take me anywhere and I Love driving it.
I am thinking that I will now get another 5-10 years out of the truck So that is My justification for spending that much money.

It all boils down to IF you want to keep the truck and IF you are prepared to put the time, effort and $$$ into it to keep it running.
Sadly D1's are no longer big ticket items and can be had quite cheaply now and spending big money on them is not a great idea unless you have sentimental reasons to do so.