Thread: Tools to prep a recently purchased TD5

I'm lazy and have a high risk tolerance for these sorts of things ... I'd probably change the engine oil, ensure its covered by roadside assistance, and drive it home.

If you really want to develop a list of tools required to change all fluids, you could read through

www.discovery2.co.uk/maintenance articles

which lists everything required.

I see mention of a squeaky idler bearing, so get a viscous hub spanner (you will need one anyway if you are going to ever work on it yourself).
Changing the actual bearing /pulley over is easy, but having a hub spanner makes it so easy to sort, and you can check the state of any other idler/pulley bearing while you are there.
If you do have to go into the front pulley area, be careful NOT to bump or apply any pressure to the 1/4" outlet/hose on right hand top of radiator tank (return pipe for expansion tank) as these can be very brittle and they break easily, which might leave you stranded.
I few things I would also check before heading off.
Check the state of the engine sump plug, as they can be beasts to undo if they have been damaged and are a bit worn on the points (even if you do have a 6 point socket).
Perhaps get a new engine sump plug while you can, if the current plug shows any damage (and a new seal washer).
Check if diff plugs have been changed to brass (from plastic), as the plastic plugs can also be hard to remove if damaged.
Get a couple of brass diff plugs to swap the plastic out if they are still plastic.
Check state of rubber union on rear tail shaft in front of rear diff (cracks etc).
Long shot, but you could also check that the diecast aluminium "U" shaped mounts that hold the bottom inspection plate on the transmission are all intact.
These can break, and some operators just bodgie them back on, meaning that they can then let go on any rough road.

Originally Posted by buggame

Hi all. First post. Hoping I can gain some wisdom from the brains trust.

Recently bought a 2004 TD5 Discovery on the other side of the country. Now planning the trip to pick it up.

The vehicle has been regularly serviced by the same facility from new till 2017. Has done 15,000km since 2017. The previous service place recalled the vehicle and they impressed me in their thoroughness. They advised it never saw any off-road until 2017. The owner till 2017 kept the vehicle well maintained.

No warning lights remain on. Suspension appears tight......as best as I can tell from 1500 km away!! Brakes pads, etc etc still have adequate life. The only issue I picked up out of the ordinary was a squeaky idler bearing.

Service history is unknown since 2017.....so assuming it hasn't been touched. No scratches/scrapes/dents on the bodywork nor on the underside......so assuming it hasn't had a hard life and not expecting to fix any damage as a result of a tough life.

Will be flying across to pick it up.

What minimum tools do i need to pack to change ALL fluids?

What additional checks would you guys make before making a big trip back, related to a Discover 2?

TIA

Your only doing 1500km if the car has problems on that short trip then I would be looking for my money back as theses are very reliable cars 1500kms should be a walk in the park for it enjoy the car.

I would be taking either my Nanocom or Hawkeye Total with me...

Then I could check..

1) That the VIN matches the Rego papers.

2) That the VIN matches the Compliance plate.

3) Check for any fault codes. This should give you a prewarning of any future dramas.

4) Delete the fault codes and then recheck at your lunch break on the first day of travel.

5) Then use it to monitor the engine temp etc.

Take a pair of overalls/ or buy a $10 tarp and get underneath with a headtorch and have a good look around.
If there are any oil leaks then check levels. Also look for coolant leaks.

Check the service book to see if the engine oil has been changed in the last 4 yrs/15,000K's. If not then probably worth getting it changed.
Don't worry about the filters, you can do them later.

Take the tensioner and a new belt with you. Much easier than having stuff sent to you.
You maybe able to borrow a 36mm fan spanner from the place that was servicing it previously.

Check your tyre pressures(and spare) and make sure you have the gear to change a flat.

I have one of these that lives in my cars boot. They are available in all sorts of price/equipment level ranges.

Stanley 176 Piece Tool Kit With Carry Case - Bunnings Australia

Use it more for doing odd jobs on the D2 in the driveway than I have on car breakdowns.

Unless you bought it from a place in Mt Isa and you're taking home via the Birdsville track your probably not going to be far from help.
I think having some sort of 'Roadside Assist Package' is probably worth it until you get to know the beast..

Good luck..

OK, well the owner has just rung and advised he wont be selling the Discovery after-all....the misses just wont have it, or so he says!! How does that happen??

Fair to say I am p!ssed... The vehicle was in Tassie, so as you do, had a whole Tassie trip planned around picking up the car......

But thanks for all your suggestions and advice. Impressed with the helpful approach of MOST Land Rover owners...

So the search continues.

I think the TD5 is my pick (others can tell me if I am wrong).....just the right balance of creature comforts yet still basic enuf to be outback reliable plus able to fix when things go wrong. The vehicle will essentially become an outback touring vehicle. If anyone knows of a reliable manual TD5....doesnt have to look pretty, for a reasonable price then let me know.

There is an option of a very cheap Discovery 4 SDV6 (good service history, lowish KM, etc etc) ....but the amount of electronics scares me!! The thought of some electrical/computer gremlin playing havoc when in the middle of no-where isnt something I feel comfortable with.

Thx again...

Originally Posted by mylesaway

I would be taking either my Nanocom or Hawkeye Total with me...


Unless you bought it from a place in Mt Isa and you're taking home via the Birdsville track your probably not going to be far from help.
I think having some sort of 'Roadside Assist Package' is probably worth it until you get to know the beast..

Good luck..

Ha, recently got home from a trip to the Cape and back (in a dsl Outback). Took the obligatory tool box, etc. But what I didnt reckon on was some tradie evenly distributing what must has been a box of 5000x 30mm tek screws between Winton and Boulia (Qld). Took 6 plugs and two spares for the trip. Used 2x plugs on the way there and 6-7x on that stretch of rd plus another 2x on the Birdsville track. If it hadnt been for another 4wd who was experiencing the same issues on that road and who gave me a strip of 5x then I would been in trouble. Interestingly he was carrying about 30x plugs!!

Its the small things you dont expect that catch me out!

Originally Posted by buggame

OK, well the owner has just rung and advised he wont be selling the Discovery after-all....the misses just wont have it, or so he says!! How does that happen??

Fair to say I am p!ssed... The vehicle was in Tassie, so as you do, had a whole Tassie trip planned around picking up the car......

But thanks for all your suggestions and advice. Impressed with the helpful approach of MOST Land Rover owners...

So the search continues.

I think the TD5 is my pick (others can tell me if I am wrong).....just the right balance of creature comforts yet still basic enuf to be outback reliable plus able to fix when things go wrong. The vehicle will essentially become an outback touring vehicle. If anyone knows of a reliable manual TD5....doesnt have to look pretty, for a reasonable price then let me know.

There is an option of a very cheap Discovery 4 SDV6 (good service history, lowish KM, etc etc) ....but the amount of electronics scares me!! The thought of some electrical/computer gremlin playing havoc when in the middle of no-where isnt something I feel comfortable with.

Thx again...

Don’t fear the tech.

Originally Posted by Tombie

Don’t fear the tech.

Agree with Tombie. I did 350000k in a D3 with a lot of long remote off road trips with no issues with the electronics. A stick tore a wheel speed sensor wire off once - that has been about the only problem. The scary stuff with electronics is that if it does go wrong, we feel that we can't fix it.