Thread: Newbie questions

Just for starters. Be careful you don't over captalise on the car. ie repairs far outweighing the purchase price or value of the car. Check for head gasket/head problems - oil in coolant or coolant in oil and any sign of of overheating. After doing a cold standing check take it for good long drive and get it hot and then do another check. Fluid leaks - loook everywhere.

A replacement water pump may be a good bit of preventative maintenance?????

I'm sure others will have more info foryou. Good luck!

Hi Guys,

Who would have thought my first post would be some feedback to someone's question?

I have just moved from a D1 to a TD5. Having said that. I loved my V8 & enjoyed driving it. I had been running it on lpg via a romano vapour injection system that performed as well on lpg as it did on petrol.

The only issue I really had with the car was an oil leak from the transfer case which resulted in a drop of oil each day after the engine cooled overnight. Even so I only ever put about a half a litre to a litre of oil in the car each month with an overage of 2,000kms driving each month.

I also had a slight weeping of water from one of the heads but after speaking to a Land rover mechanic he said many do it & as long as it's doesn't use much water not really a problem. I very varily needed to top up the water so no real problem at all.

They drive well, perform well but are a little thirsty. If I could get the same fuel economy & the same towing capabilities with the V8 as I can with the TD5 I would have gladly kept it.

The other issue for me was range in the outback as LPG is not readliy available in remote areas.

Brad & Sam

Forgot to say, car has never been off road, first owner bought it as it was "big" allegedly...

Make sure to listen well to the diffs, gearbox and transfer. When I bought my 98 V8 I took a friend of dads along and he went over alot that I would have missed as he has been a mad 4WDer for years. Rocking the car in low range is a good one as you would hear any issues.
Good Luck!

Cheers,

Brenton

I recently bought a '97 D1 V8 with 165000 k's off ebay for $2175. In pretty good condition but I have had to replace the water pump, MAF (airflow sensor), vacuum advance, adjust wheel bearings, replace one of the window regulators and replace the exhaust gaskets on one side. I have had installed a 2.5 inch exhaust with one straight through muffler. I have also replaced the plugs, plug leads, rotor, dissi cap, coil, ignition module, fuel pump, all filters and engine oil and am about to replace the injectors with rebuilt s/h 4 hole ones. I've also cleaned the IAC and checked all sensors and cleaned and tightened all earthing points. While all those things sound a bit extravagent they all improved the running of the car while I have been chasing the fuel consumption and running problems and I believe in a car of this age they are necessary to return it to a good reliable, economical driver.

I think that a vehicle of this age will probably need a good going over by a reputable Land Rover mechanic or it is certainly possible to do all this at home. If you are prepared to give it a good going over you'll be rewarded with a great 4x4 to drive and you'll improve the economy so it will pay for itself anyway. Filling up a Disco that has problems at $100+ a time and getting around 300 k's to a tank on the highway aint fun.

This forum has all the answers and fills in the many gaps in workshop manuals.

Go for it.

Damian.

Originally Posted by thescotsman

Hello,
Ive done a search and couldn't find the answer to my question so I thought Id ask away...
I've been offered a d1 from a friend for mates rates, Its a 97 v8 manual and travelled 155k. Is there any major things to look out for when driving the car, anything that is prone to go wrong with the engines, drivetrain etc.
With the price we will have a few dollars left to pay for any work needing done, but is there anything that is recomended to be done as a matter of course when buying?

thanks
pop the oil filling cap off and look inside if there is any crusty in it dont touch it , its had pore serviceng and its stuffed, if it has a slight ticking on only one valve, dont touch it, oil pump is 1200 from lr, and its fkd. my engine had a small tick and it was the oil strainer pick up came loose inside the einge, check brakes, if bad, costs about 1200 $ bad tyres cost 900 leaking stering box 900 radiator leak 1200 and powr steering leeking cots 400 , other than that, good as gold. good luck
Al

pop the oil filling cap off and look inside if there is any crusty in it dont touch it , its had pore serviceng and its stuffed, if it has a slight ticking on only one valve, dont touch it, oil pump is 1200 from lr, and its fkd. my engine had a small tick and it was the oil strainer pick up came loose inside the einge, check brakes, if bad, costs about 1200 $ bad tyres cost 900 leaking stering box 900 radiator leak 1200 and powr steering leeking cots 400 , other than that, good as gold. good luck

Originally Posted by thescotsman

Hello,
Ive done a search and couldn't find the answer to my question so I thought Id ask away...
I've been offered a d1 from a friend for mates rates, Its a 97 v8 manual and travelled 155k. Is there any major things to look out for when driving the car, anything that is prone to go wrong with the engines, drivetrain etc.
With the price we will have a few dollars left to pay for any work needing done, but is there anything that is recomended to be done as a matter of course when buying?

thanks

Al

G'day Al,

I was in a similar boat some months ago when I bought my first LR at a good price. I jumped in both feet first into something with no real service history and looking a bit rough, but the price was right and so far only little bits and bobs have gone wrong, nothing major and waaaayyyyy less than expected. (I was a Tojo man, and thought LR were for blokes who had nothing better to do to than spend weekends fixing them all the time, how wrong I was!)

The one bit of advice I can recommend is that you get in touch with the local Rover guru in your area, knowing this bloke is worth its weight in gold. Get him to give it a good going over if you can.

While nothing against "normal" spanners, guys who have "old rover engine oil pumping in their veins" seen to be able to pin point problems straight away, even over the phone, or in this forum as I have seen a number of times now.

The other point I'll make is that regardless of service history and how good or looked after the car looks, sometimes Sugar Honey Ice Tea just happens. My D1 so far has been half the trouble some of my newer and more "reliable" cars in the past have been.

Pot luck sometimes?

Good luck.

I don't know too much about the V8 I have a Tdi. I only have two things to add. I find the interior of the car is a very reliable gauge on how the car has been treated. Trashed interior, trashed motor etc.

Second, get the timing belt done.

Dito on the great advice, ask away, great folks here.

LR are excellent cars especially if you want to use your 4wd offroad. There are however plenty of them out there. Don't be afraid to step back and look at the next one.

Oh, the Tdi gets about 800ks per tank on and off road.... just about every time. So, no V8 for me!!!!

Good luck to you and welcome.

Jay