How to bullet-proof my Disco

**justinc** · 22nd April 2009, 09:29 PM

[QUOTE=stooge;961710]Yeah, he wanted to change hes name after hes shameful episode when he bought a pootrol. Hes off hes meds now and bought a Rangie (or should that be hes back on hes meds??) :P

JC - does mine have that plastic thinggamibob that failed in 2_doors trans?[/QUOTE]

yes, but don't worry, your Tdi has about half the power and torque of the V8 so it is safe from destruction...

JC

**steveG** · 23rd April 2009, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by justinc

Originally Posted by stooge

JC - does mine have that plastic thinggamibob that failed in 2_doors trans?

yes, but don't worry, your Tdi has about half the power and torque of the V8 so it is safe from destruction...

JC

I'm hoping that applies to the tdi in general and not just a dig at Stooge's one.
Was following this thread with interest and getting a bit scared that mine could leave me stranded.
Makes me feel better to know its not an issue with the tdi.

While I'm at it, whats the best source for a P38a cooler and a reasonable price? Are there decent second hand ones around or is it something thats best purchased new?

Steve

**Cap** · 23rd April 2009, 10:53 AM

Yeah Steve, I think he means Tdi's in general (although he does pick on me all the time

)

It wont leave you stranded, 2_Door just had to manually shift the gears rather than just starting from D.

JC also mentioned to me about this cooler thing too, I will get mine done when I have my camper trailer, cheap(ish) insurance.

**steveG** · 23rd April 2009, 01:18 PM

Thanks stooge.
The picture comes together slowly for me. What you've just said fits with the other advice that I've read to start in 1st when towing heavy loads rather than leave it in D. I'm assuming then that the drive sprag only gets used in D.
Must delve more into understanding how a ZF works...

Steve

**Cap** · 23rd April 2009, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by steveG

Must delve more into understanding how a ZF works...

Steve

Your not the only one, but trying to understand the ZF would be like understanding the meaning of life.

**Traco** · 24th April 2009, 05:09 PM

The 3.9 V8 is pretty reliable. Mine's only left me stranded once in 13 years - when the spyder went out (fixed under warranty by LR). The engine has been around for yonks - it has 1950s design Buick antecedents - and is more bullet proof than the later 4.0 and 4.6 motors which can suffer the dreaded liner slipping/cracked block syndrome (so can 3.9s but not nearly as much).

Problems I've dealt with - leaking rear hub seal, holed vacuum advance diaphram, oil leaks from pressure switch, engine and auto trans oil cooler lines, TPS gone south, cracked header tank, curling dash (fixed under warranty by LR), drooping headlining in a couple of places, low drive engagement linkage nut falling off, rear donut wear, stuffed thermostat, sticking valves - so nothing too major really.

Oil and coolant changes are crucial and need to be done far more frequently than modern cars. Ignition components must be spot on - Lucas is best here strangely enough. Cams can wear out sooner than expected - aftermarket ones seem better than the factory cams (I've got a Crane 218 in my 4.6 SD1). ZFs are good for 120k miles at least in normal use.

Thread: How to bullet-proof my Disco

Thread Tools

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions