Thread: Buying a Discovery 4

Service history is critical on vehicles with higher mileage. Need to understand fully what has been replaced. Very difficult for forum members to make this sort of assesment. You need to check out and drive each vehicle and check the functioning of all the features.

Originally Posted by Netorius

Service history is critical on vehicles with higher mileage. Need to understand fully what has been replaced. Very difficult for forum members to make this sort of assessment. You need to check out and drive each vehicle and check the functioning of all the features.

Agree. And don't listen to anything the seller of the red one says. The TDV6 doesn't have a timing chain (it has a timing belt and a rear belt which also needs to be replaced, along with other bits and pieces). Look at the documentation and check on who did the work. When you find a car you like, make sure you pay for a Landrover Indy to do an assessment. There's heaps that needs to be checked, from error codes to gearbox and diff oil, brake fluid changes etc.

Originally Posted by DieselLSE

Agree. And don't listen to anything the seller of the red one says. The TDV6 doesn't have a timing chain (it has a timing belt and a rear belt which also needs to be replaced, along with other bits and pieces). Look at the documentation and check on who did the work. When you find a car you like, make sure you pay for a Landrover Indy to do an assessment. There's heaps that needs to be checked, from error codes to gearbox and diff oil, brake fluid changes etc.

Engine is a dohc multi valve V6. They run timing chains from outer cams to inner cams at the rear of the engine. The outer cams are driven via a toothed belt on the front of the engine, sitting behind the accessory multi v groove belt. Timing chain tensioners sit at the back of the heads, underneath the chains, in between the camshafts. When these guides wear, the engine develops a pronounced chatter at start up as it takes a bit more oil pressure to get the tension right. Tell tale for worn out tensioners and chains is to listen for the rattle, and if it goes for longer than 5 'skippy the bush kangaroos' be prepared to spend money to replace both tensioners or walk away. Having said that, talking to my indie, its not a common replacement, but as these cars are getting to 10yo plus, more and more will need timing chains and tensioners done. Im at 211,000km and no long rattle yet, all still in the green zone.

Originally Posted by DieselLSE

Agree. And don't listen to anything the seller of the red one says. The TDV6 doesn't have a timing chain (it has a timing belt and a rear belt which also needs to be replaced, along with other bits and pieces). Look at the documentation and check on who did the work. When you find a car you like, make sure you pay for a Landrover Indy to do an assessment. There's heaps that needs to be checked, from error codes to gearbox and diff oil, brake fluid changes etc.

Yes I will be giving the cars a very good look over. One of them has had the steel pan conversion on the transmission so I’m going to assume that it was also serviced but I will be asking and checking.

Anyone recommend any Land Rover specialists in Sydney?

Originally Posted by Eric SDV6SE

Engine is a dohc multi valve V6. They run timing chains from outer cams to inner cams at the rear of the engine. The outer cams are driven via a toothed belt on the front of the engine, sitting behind the accessory multi v groove belt. Timing chain tensioners sit at the back of the heads, underneath the chains, in between the camshafts. When these guides wear, the engine develops a pronounced chatter at start up as it takes a bit more oil pressure to get the tension right. Tell tale for worn out tensioners and chains is to listen for the rattle, and if it goes for longer than 5 'skippy the bush kangaroos' be prepared to spend money to replace both tensioners or walk away. Having said that, talking to my indie, its not a common replacement, but as these cars are getting to 10yo plus, more and more will need timing chains and tensioners done. Im at 211,000km and no long rattle yet, all still in the green zone.

Slight correction, chain is at rear of RH head and at the front on LH head.

Originally Posted by gbren

Anyone recommend any Land Rover specialists in Sydney?

I use Davis Performance Landys in South Windsor.

Another often mentioned here is Graeme Cooper in St. Peters

Martin