Thread: My 97 TDI Disco has died....HELP!!!!

By top end do you mean head etc as a new bare head is approx. $1500 or less so 6k is way over the top, you could fully reco the whole motor for that. I dont think you can blame the supplier of the tank as the motor would have to build up loads of pressure to split the tank and there are so many variables they could use for other causes. If it only leaks out the tank then you may only need a headgasket replaced, either way the only way to determine cause and course of repair is a teardown - goodluck. by the way wa the tank black or white ? black tanks were known to split.

Originally Posted by edvanr

[*]I tow it to a local shop and we determine that the engine is completely fried and requires a top-end rebuild. Mechanic quotes around $6k.

If the motor is "completely fried" (ie. seized in my book), what good is a new top end!

Does it turn over?

Where did the mechanic 'pull' $6k from?

Who offered you the $2.5k?

Need to settle down a bit and think this through I think!

I do, however, feel your pain though.

Originally Posted by edvanr

I get my car serviced by a trusted and reputable mechanic (the same guy who sold me the truck), I drop a bit of cash on a full service and several other items, including a replacement of the expansion tank (genuine part) as it had a slight crack.

If your previous expansion tank had a crack in it already did your mechanic check if there was head gasket damage? I'd think that since 300tdi's suffer head damage so easily that it would be the first thing your mechanic would check.

I have spoken to my mechanic in Sydney and he says the only way I could put it back on the expansion tank was if I get a forensic automotive consultant to do an independent audit and try to determine the cause of the failure. I have not had this quoted yet but I imagine this would be costly…

Do this. It'll cost some money, but you'll have an independent judgement on what went wrong. It'll either settle your mind or give you someone to point the finger at.

Welcome to the 300 club.

Cheers
Simon

Originally Posted by abaddonxi

Do this. It'll cost some money, but you'll have an independent judgement on what went wrong. It'll either settle your mind or give you someone to point the finger at.

And after all that money if it turns out NOT to be the expansion tank he is in deeper doodoo!

Calm down and take it to a Landrover repairer, not a dealer.

All is not bad.....yet..

There are a few good ones up in NSW, check recomended repairers for more info.

$6k will buy you a rebuilt engine so unless your bolting on a new core, new turbo and new valves then $6k is a bit over the top in my books so that gives me the clew that you need to take it somewhere more in the know or less likely to try to relieve you of more money than you need to.

I I were to do anything it would be the second hand engine if I was somewhere too far from home as it will be the fastest way top get you back on the road but then again, a good LR repairer will have a better solution that will suit you.

Originally Posted by edvanr

I really don’t know what to do, I guess I have 3 options…

1. Take $2.5k I was offered for the car in the stat it is in and buy a bike
2. Have the top end rebuilt for $6k, will my problems go away though???
3. Purchase a new engine and have it installed for around $5k, is this the fresh start I am looking for??

None of those options


I would do as McRover suggests

Originally Posted by mcrover

Calm down and take it to a Landrover repairer, not a dealer.

All is not bad.....yet..
There are a few good ones up in NSW, check recommended repairers for more info.

And get a Tow truck to get it back to Sydney ($300??) and do the ring around ...

Just reread it .... you want it in Melbourne

And fit a low coolant alarm cheap compared to the 6k rebuild

Originally Posted by rangieman

And fit a low coolant alarm cheap compared to the 6k rebuild

x2

I gotta buy one of them things.......

I thought they were a bit of a not so nessessery item but there are more and more of these sort of things happeneing lately so I may have to invest me thinks.