Thread: Is oil pump bolt failure an issue with facelift models?

Typically earlier models, however have heard of the odd later model.
It's one of those checks that you just do unless someone can prove its been checked.

Is it a DIY job? Does the car needs to be raised or put on axle stands?

It's a DIY job.
Sump off.
It is often easier to put the car on stands under the chassis so the front diff/suspension drops for more clearance.
The best thing is to change the sump gasket while you are there,
Some folks just lower the sump enough to access the bolt - loctite and refit with some sealant. Your choice.
You can buy a new bolt or reuse the existing.
The bolt isn't under stress and simply retains the sprocket on the pump drive flats. So no issue reusing the original after cleaning and loctite.

My father in law has a 04 model that was one of the last lot before the D3 , I told him for ages to get it checked , he finally did it at 90,000 and was in by about 3 threads .

Easy check just need to be careful refitting the sump , I rushed mine and it ****ed oil everywhere.

Cheers Ean

It's a bit of a hassle if you don't remove the front of the exhaust.

I had my suspension fully extended but still couldn't wrangle the sump past the diff and exhaust.

So I was forced to pull the sump gasket into position with some string at the back, which is less than ideal but in my case worked OK.

And I have no idea how to get a torque wrench into position to torque up the bolt, so near enough was good enough andf its done 50Kk since so looks OK..
Regards Philip A

Dad has a 2004. Checked his recently, and found the bolt was firm, but not tight. No sign of threadlocker either.

Originally Posted by fellipe

Is it a DIY job? Does the car needs to be raised or put on axle stands?

Follow this and you should be fine.
(Some other good articles on that site too!)


www.discovery2.co.uk / TD5 "Famous" Oil Pump Bolt

Thanks a lot for the encouragement guys!

My disco has a 2" lift, I read that I don't need to raise it to get the sump off. Is this true?

Also, just got a genuine new bolt. It came with the yellow locktite. Been reading that's not good. Better to clean and apply new locktite?