Thread: Advice please-I never thought id have a second job as a mechanic!

I think your halfway there already,,
thinking before doing!

Take your time, dont box yourself in by having to use the car a day later,
and if it doesnt seem right it probably isnt,

and ask lots of questions!

If you've never done any mechanical work before I would just start off small, oil and filter change. It's not hard.

How many ks since the last service?

I am an electrician and have replaced the fuel lines, fuel pump and front springs previously so I'm not completely useless. I just have no engine experience and am a bit of a perfectionist so need to do it properly.

The car has done 133000 km. 10000 km since last service (major - all fluids, filters, breaks, transmission)

Good show mate.... The D2's are surprisingly easy to work on. Don't be too afraid. Like Pedro suggested, take your time and don't expect that you'll be using the car the same, or next day. Things can, and probably will go wrong, so patience is a must.

Also ensure that you've got a nice range of tools available, socket wrenches, breaker bars and torque wrenches, screw drivers big and small.
I'd highly recommend a trip to an auto shop to get some tools if you're planning on heading down the home mechanic route.

As far as the engine oil level increasing?? That seems a bit odd. Did you measure the levels when the engine was at the same temp?
Check it when stone cold, then at operating temp.
Then do it again a few weeks later to see if there's any difference.

The transfer case leaking is a common issue. It could be the intermediate shaft... given the shaft is mounted into an alloy casing it has a tendancy for the hole it's mounted into to become oval shaped over time, instead of circle. There is a fix for this, but it requires removal of the Xfer case, boring of the holes and having a steel sleeve/bush installed.
If the intermediate shaft is leaking, it might also be perished o-rings. I'd start there.
But wait... there's more.
The front and rear output seals could also be leaking, which is more common. Also just as common is the seal around the bottom plate to be leaking.
Before you commence anything, you'd be best off cleaning the whole case of any oil and filth and keeping a close eye on where the oil is coming from.

You can buy a complete kit for the transfer case, it includes all gaskets and o-rings, for around $40. Nice... Part number is RTC3890
You will also need some loctitie gasket sealant... I can't recall the part number off the top of my head.
While you're at it... Get some new bearings for the front and rear outputs. I've got some links saved on my laptop (which is in the office) with step by step instructions of how to work on the transfer case. I'll post them up in the morning for you.

Servicing is easy. Dump the oil, take out the oil filter, put a new filter in, replace spark plugs (and leads if you're unsure of their condition), refill oil, replace air filter, check brake pads, check rotors, inspect for any oil leaks from the hubs and axles, yell at the transfer case for leaking still, have a coffee, tidy up a bit, turn the ignition key and prey. hahaha.
As for the injector seals, harnesses e.t.c. Is there a particular reason you want to replace these?

Finally, whiskey is essential. At the beginning, and for the remainder of the trip. Drink up.

Originally Posted by mattyg

So....

Recently I've noticed:
-the engine oil level increase slightly since last service (2cm above full)
-Oil at red ECU plug
-transfer case leaking oil - intermediate shaft?? (more than normal)

So its time to:
-replace injector seals
-replace injector harness (modify it as per forum fix)
-fix transfer case leak -IS THIS SUMP GASKET OR ANOTHER SEAL?
-attempt to give it a service

I HAVENT WORKED WITH ENGINE COMPONENTS OR DONE ANY SERVICING BEFORE. I am both confident and scared.

I have read up on these in 'Good Oil' and on Urban Panzers website.
I have a copy of the RAVE disc.

Does anyone have any extra advice?
Especially regarding parts? prices?
Do I need to have a Whiskey before I start?

For parts i was going to get a filter kit off ebay.
Injector harness (OEM) $50
Injector seals and washers (OEM) $50
Rocker cover gasket $50
Transfer case sump gasket ? RTV ??? Seals ?

Should i use oils as per the owners handbook or are there better ones?
What weight oil for Brisbane?

Sorry i know there is alot in this post but i just want to make sure i have all the right parts and info before i start.

Thanks in advance!

hello we here at lsd automotive can help you with your parts

ERR6417 WASHER-SEALING set $8.00

ERR7004 O RING set $6.00

AMR6103 HARNESS-FUEL EA OEM $48.00

ERR7094G GASKET rocker REINZ $21.00

FRC5415 COVER TRANS ome $11.00

you're welcome to come over and do it at my place if you want the safety net factor.

MR LSD,

No offence, but I don't recall this thread being a free for all for businesses trying to spruik their services.

That's the spirit mate - I'm in a similar boat to you...not what I'd call hugely "mechanically gifted" but happy to learn how to get the jobs done. My wife is still unsure if the Disco was a good purchase as she's been seeing the Mastercard bills for quite a few bits for this vehicle of late (well, the ARB bullbar was not technically a service item I'll admit, nor the CDL lever, or the cargo barrier...I think you can see where this is going).

Some people are "into" cars/bikes whatever takes their fancy you know. But until owning a bike and now the Disco I'd never been too bothered to understand what goes on under the bonnet.

Now, as your thread title suggests it's almost as if owning a LR means having a 2nd job - there's a quote/bumper sticker (?) "Land Rover: making mechanics out of drivers for 60 years" or something similar. And as long as you want to enjoy the process of getting to know your vehicle and taking the time to keep it functioning well then it should be something that is worth doing.

While I can't assist with many of your questions I can suggest printing a copy of the service schedule that's in the Files section above. I went through and filled in the previous service history and made a plan of attack from there.

There will always be other issues that crop up from time to time but as you seem to have demonstrated with the oil level increase, the benefits of being vigilant about checking the basics are many and will save big $ down the track.

Also good advice from Pedro re not rushing and feeling pressured to get stuff done - I'm currently fitting the cargo barrier and there's a lot of merit in taking things steadily when drilling holes in your vehicle I've discovered...
When it's finished I'll post a thread with some of the "wisdom" I learned along the way.

Originally Posted by mattyg

So....

Recently I've noticed:
-the engine oil level increase slightly since last service (2cm above full)
-Oil at red ECU plug
-transfer case leaking oil - intermediate shaft?? (more than normal)

So its time to:
-replace injector seals
-replace injector harness (modify it as per forum fix)
-fix transfer case leak -IS THIS SUMP GASKET OR ANOTHER SEAL?
-attempt to give it a service

I HAVENT WORKED WITH ENGINE COMPONENTS OR DONE ANY SERVICING BEFORE. I am both confident and scared.

I have read up on these in 'Good Oil' and on Urban Panzers website.
I have a copy of the RAVE disc.

Does anyone have any extra advice?
Especially regarding parts? prices?
Do I need to have a Whiskey before I start? Coffee and a good CD in the player works for me - focuses the mind, and then when the job is getting toward the halfway mark the coffee can be substituted for beer.

For parts i was going to get a filter kit off ebay. I'm finding the guys at British Off Road to be very helpful - prices are on the mark too.
Injector harness (OEM) $50
Injector seals and washers (OEM) $50
Rocker cover gasket $50
Transfer case sump gasket ? RTV ??? Seals ?

Should i use oils as per the owners handbook or are there better ones?
What weight oil for Brisbane?

Sorry i know there is alot in this post but i just want to make sure i have all the right parts and info before i start.

Thanks in advance!