Thread: Is a "leak free Disco" just too much to ask for?

its not unrealistic but it takes a bit of work depending on how bad what you've got is.

generally on all landrovers, if it holds oil it'll leak.

where abouts on the vehicle are the leaks coming from and whats the configuation of the vehicle, manual/auto v8/tdi?

Originally Posted by Young Angus

I've heard Discos leak a fair bit and my new one is no exception...there are a couple of very small leaks which look like oil and possibly some kind of lighter coloured fluid which might just be more oil but might be something else. Both leaks I've noticed are not much at all but I thought people could say what kinds of leaks are more common than others and just which ones to look out for on a series 1 Disco and how best to go about plugging them up.

I don't know if it's a completely unrealistic ideal but I would love to have a leak free Disco

$$$$

Hoses! The main easy-to-fix oil leaks are the engine oil cooler hoses and power steering hoses. After that its oil seals in mechy bits.

To fix hoses I recommend first a steam clean, then pinpoint your leaks. Take off the offending hose/s and take them to your local hydraulic hose specialist, such as Enzed. They will cut off the cheapie crimps and braze on some real fittings that can be fixed much easier later. Also look at the oil pressure switch, that's an easy one. Then there's gaskets, rocker covers and sump gaskets are within the capability of a home mechanic. Otherwise have a kitty litter tray at home.

First of all it's a '98 V8 manual.

One wet spot looks like it's dripping ever so slightly from the base of what I think is the front diff.

The other wet spot is coming from a very thin pipe which if you're facing the front of the car, runs somewhere underneath along the right side of the car and looks like it might end up going into something in the grill.

ok so thats the diff pinion seal (unless its the oil filter or filter assembley) which is about an hours worth of work

and either a transmission cooler line or a power steering line.

maybe 2 hours work total plus the time to take the existing line to somewhere that can repair or remanufacture it.

Young Angus.
!st I would degrease the entire engine bay and motor and rinse off. let it dry then check it after a good drive to ascertain where the oil is leaking from.
If it's brown or black oil then it's engine oil. If its reddy it's transmission fluid or power steering fluid.
Known leak points on Discos are
1.the power steering pump to reservoir hose.(red)
2.The power steering to pump hoses, these are the ones with the swaged metal pipes onto the rubber hose. They get brittle with age and develop leaks where the swage is.(red)
3. Oil pressure sender switch (Black/brown)
4.The oil pump pressure relief valve ( I know all about this one, a 5cent "O"ring but a mongrel to fit)( Black /brown)
5. Gear box cooler hoses, again the rubber to metal pipe swage (Tan/brown)
6. The engine oil cooler hoses rubber to metal swage joins(black/brown)

it is possible my 1995 300tdi disco with 199734kms on it doesnt leak

I had a leak and oil dripped from the front of the front diff.
If was the oil pressure relief valve "O" ring, it ran down the side of the oil pump along the oil filter and got blown over the front diff

I am not sure if I asked you before but did you get the car checked out by a Landy mechanic before you bought it?

A few minor leaks are usually quite basic to fix as said above.

Ever seen a 12 year old holden or ford not leak?

No leaks take time and $$$$.

Also, if they do leak a bit, you at least know there is oil in the donk.
Be more worried if it stops suddenly.