Thread: When to stop..........

Thanks for the feedback.

Wortho - Mechanic was recommended by a friend so I trust him as much as you can trust someone you don't know that well. He charged me 1 hour labour for the clutch job which I thought was reasonable and threw in the pink slip. he also has a sense of humour hence the 'repeat booking' comments. However he is not a Landy expert and doesn't work on too many 'diseasels' so maybe I should look around. Any recommendations in the Hornsby area ?

Blknight - Crank was rechromed as a result of spitting the balancer so nothing was missed. Internals were also checked when the engine was apart and looked good (for 300K). My only question on cost was $490 inc GST for timing belt/gasket kit which included a new timing gear but not the balancer ?

LandyAndy - I recall an article in Overlander or 4X4 Monthly a couple of years ago where an active system was fitted to an 80. There was a pendulum sensor in the engine bay and hydraulic rams on the suspension arms but I don't know if it was costly (or successfull). I will see if I can fish out the article.

Regarding costs - I was expecting to spend at least $1000 per year on the disco. Much better than $3000 p.Yr depreciation + servicing and maint on the 80. I guess my intitial comments were a bit tongue-in-cheek but it is good to get some feedback from someone with experience of Solihull's finest

TTFN

Originally Posted by Numpty's Missus

I can remember back in early 80"s when we bought our Stage 1 we were told to be prepared to spend $1000 per year on it for maintenance.
Don't know if this still holds true but the figure would be considerably higher now I should think.
Maybe the last owner didn't spend the alloted $$

Actually I'll second that Missus numpty... In fact factor in filters, belts, tyres, oils and you wouldnt be far off of that for a new car

So where are we at now,,,,,

Purchase price $4500 @ 293700kms, spent $3000 on the crank, timing belt, clutch and tow @ 298500kms.

Power was down after Easter and I was blowing a load of smoke away from the lights so took it for a Diseasel service. Injectors out and cleaned (should last until next year), suction test showed air getting in so Lift pump replaced. $590

About a week later it became hard to start and stalled at the lights so I took it back. Another suction test showed air getting in again. Suspected that the Fuel pump housing had become porous so replaced with a Delco glass-bowl unit. $375

Amaaaaaazing difference on picking it up again. Double the power/torque (or thats what it felt like). For about a month! Now we are back to the 'craaaawl' away from the lights with clouds of smoke at night (visible in the headlights behind me).

Now I wish I was back behind the wheel of the Petrol 80 as this is becoming frustrating. Admitedly I am new to Diseasels but even after hours of google searching I am still not sure where to start looking. I would like to take it back to Sydney Diesel Centre but will have to wait for a couple more pay-checks to pass.

So damage to date - Purchase price $4500, Repairs $4000.
and back behind the wheel of a smoking slug!

Interestingly, fuel consumption is up and down. I always fill up at the same Caltex, and always run it down to a similar level (I nearly always put in 66/67ltrs per fill) but get anything from 600 to 700kms per fill for little variance in the driving conditions.

Now I realise that I may have offended a couple of people with my comments but I still have a little faith in the car as other than the power/smoke, I am content with the vehicle. Body, chassis & drivetrain should hold out for another couple of hundred thou.

So, where to from here? Any suggestions.

Cheers M'dears & Bigears!

Sorry to hear of your woes bigdog.

But, by the time you're fixed up, you'll have a good Disco that'll last for aeons...

Your only other worry will be the power steering, but there's plenty on here about that, and its not such a drama any more...

I wouldn't be in a hurry to dump it, it now owes a bit more, so use it!

cheers, GQ