the real truth

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Originally Posted by Shane7285

Hi Everyone

I'm kind of new here, I have been researching and thought I would post a quick question, as I can't seem to find it.

I'm looking at buying a disco sometime early next year, what are the most common problems with them? I would be looking to get something as late as possible, so hoping for the last of the 300Tdi or close to it. Do they really leak oil like everyone reckons or is that just another myth from the non LR owners?

Also, what are the best ways to get a bit more power out of the 300Tdi? I know the standard items like exhaust, but I heard that you can adjust the fuel pump? Does this affect fuel economy?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards

Shane

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From my experience, the oil leaks are usually from the vacuum pump or hose from power steering reservoir.

The cover on the vacuum pump is held to the pump body by rivets. The rivets can loosen after some time, but can be drilled out and replaced (one at a time) with M5 screws and nuts. Replacement seals are not available though.

The main route for power increase is to adjust the fuel injection pump (IP). If the pump is adjusted to give more fuel than can be burnt properly (black smoke from not enough air) the exhaust gas temperature (egt) will go too high and can cause damage - best to fit an egt gauge. Increasing the boost pressure helps by increasing air and reducing egt - the waste gate can be safely adjusted from about 15 psi to 18 psi and a larger exhaust will help by reducing back pressure on the turbine.

Adjusting the IP doesn't make much difference to fuel economy, which is mainly affected by how you drive.

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Originally Posted by jmkoffice

Fair enough. Do your sums over a period of years and see what adds up.

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Also depends on what you are doing with your vehicle,

I like to go off road, do some challenging 4x4 tracks, camping & that sort of thing, would rather spend the extra bux on suspension, winch, extra's things like that on a D1.
Don't need a D2 to do this, and certainly wouldn't want to damage it by doing this,
As already said parts & panels are very easy & affordable to come by for the D1.

But hay, if all you want to do is drive around town & tow a boat down to the local boat ramp, then a D2 is probably suitable, you still have to maintain & spend $ on any vehicle

I relize that there are some people that can afford a D2 bush basher,
but for the average Joe, well like i said you wouldn't want to damage D2 off road.
Just my opinion i supose.

I agree with Rover8 about the benefits of a D1, I have both a D1 which is mainly used for bush bashing and a D2 as a daily driver, both are V8's.

The funny thing is I actually enjoy driving the old D1 more even with 33's a decent size lift and all the other gear which makes it more a bush basher then a road car then I do the standard D2a HSE. Simply put its more fun to own and drive and quicker believe it or not.

Mind you this weekend I'll be driving up to Nelson Bay from Goulburn and when it comes to decent road trip then all of a sudden the D2 looks very inviting in comparision.

cheers,
Terry

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Originally Posted by hillbilliywheelchair

nice1guv i would like to know more about the turbo conversion

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Search for VNT on here, there are many posts about them.

Here's one to get you going: http://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-ch...-upgrades.html

As mentioned it is not a cheap option and the power increase from the turbo alone is not dramatic.
The VNT gives a different spread of power.

This is a link to Ebay UK showing a kit from one place, there are others that offer similar setups:
eBay UK Shop - Motor Diesel Engineering Ltd: Land Rover parts, Mazda SL35 3.5 litre parts, International MWM parts

hey guys

thanks for the replys.

rover, I would be wanting to use this car for camping, going up the beach, and possibly towing a 12ft tinny to the boat ramp from time to time. From my searching for cars, I am being realistic about what I can afford, and yes there are some cheap TD5's around, but they have no service history, and the ones that are any good are out of my price range. Also, I agree with you, I wouldn't want to spend the money on a D2 then do some damage to it.

I was mainly just asking if the D1's are as bad as everyone reckons (by everyone, I mean people that have never owned one).

Thanks again

Shane

I have 2 D1 tdi's (one a 99 - very last one, made on April 99 if I recall, and another 96).

Both vehicles are great, cheap to run and, when comparing to any other vehicle out there, reasonable to maintain.

Yes they arent a bullet, but they are a 2.5 carrying over 2.5tone, so they are fantastic. Cant comment on the V8's as I dont have one (had a 85 Rangie with a 3.5 v8).

Sounds like $$ is the factor here ragardless of D1/D2 preference, so for your money you should get a well serviced tdi, and even better V8.

A post '94 V8 is cheap enough and a delight to drive with an auto box. Even more of a delight with a 4.6 under the hood. Not so delightful is the fuel consumption but then most V8 4x4s chew up fuel. They're reasonably simple to work on and maintain. And the exhaust note is superb.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shane7285

Hi Everyone

I'm kind of new here, I have been researching and thought I would post a quick question, as I can't seem to find it.

I'm looking at buying a disco sometime early next year, what are the most common problems with them? I would be looking to get something as late as possible, so hoping for the last of the 300Tdi or close to it. Do they really leak oil like everyone reckons or is that just another myth from the non LR owners?

Also, what are the best ways to get a bit more power out of the 300Tdi? I know the standard items like exhaust, but I heard that you can adjust the fuel pump? Does this affect fuel economy?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards

Shane

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I would steer away from a TDi for a first time rover, unless you have some mechanical skills (diesel) and don't mind servicing every 5K, they can be extremely expensive to fix, esp. if you warp the head, a V8 Auto is the way to go esp if going on the beach, fuel costs may be more, but when you add up the cost of oil and filters every 5K and timing belt and pulley change every 80K, then the extra cost of fuel for the V8 isn't so bad, where do you hail from, someone close maybe able to inspect before you buy, Regards Frank.

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Originally Posted by Tank

I would steer away from a TDi for a first time rover, unless you have some mechanical skills (diesel) and don't mind servicing every 5K, they can be extremely expensive to fix, esp. if you warp the head, a V8 Auto is the way to go esp if going on the beach, fuel costs may be more, but when you add up the cost of oil and filters every 5K and timing belt and pulley change every 80K, then the extra cost of fuel for the V8 isn't so bad, where do you hail from, someone close maybe able to inspect before you buy, Regards Frank.

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Tank,
Where do you get your service intervals from. Here is a copy of my service schedule from my D1 hand book.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Dave.

and the desiels aint that expensive to service and repair as long as you go to a desant mecanic my services are usally around the $300 mark including labour every 12 thou but i get all the oils changed including transfer and diffs (im hard on the old girl)