Thread: Disco 2 TD5 tips to improve reliability

I think you have just been damn unlucky.Ive had my 99 TD% Disco from New and Ive only had to replace the fuel pump and electronic Auto gear selector.Ive done 155,000klms and she feels like it will gon on forever.

Keep with it, they are definatly worth thier weight in gold
Dave Kemp
S2 TD5 Disco
S1 V8 Disco
S111 SWB 1974 original

Ahhhh Russell, you got a Friday Disco like me.

Mine is 2 years old, done 30,000km and I have had :

-2 air compressors fail (cracked the hose near the A/C muffler and sucked in water)
-3 idler pulley bearings
-1 ACE pulley bearing
-1 cruise control module fail
-1 DC joint fail (which caused the front prop shaft to drop out at 100km/h and crack the auto transmission)
-2 ABS sensors fail
-Rear transfer case seal fail

+ I am sure there are other problems I have already forgotten.

I don't think there is anything you can do except keep checking the major components for anything that MIGHT go wrong

Russell

You've either just gotta bite the bullet and hang onto it, or get something else. But at least you know this one and what you've done to it.

I'm the second owner of mine. It had the full service history from the first owner. I've continued the full service upkeep, but in the time I've had mine, I've had:

* the oil pump bolt go, requiring a replacement motor;
* injector harness (twice - the replacement motor, with 30,000 k's on it, needed doing after a few thousand k's);
* fuel pump;
* fuel tank out of it to clean the sludge;
* ignition switch;
* front o/s electric window (the front n/s is on the way now too);
* air bag suspension on o/s;

and other numerous problems. I've stopped counting how much I've spent.
So, I guess from a reliability point of view, I'm not the best person to comment. I'm sure there are LR owners who have been had better luck than me. But these things can happen to a car 5 minutes out of the showroom - any car. When we were coming back in my uncle's patrol after my oil pump bolt went earlier this year, I saw a brand new landcruiser with a caravan on the back, pulled over, bonnet up, mum on the mobile. You never know. We're going away again in a couple of weeks, and I probably won't relax until we get back home!

I've spent too much on mine now - so I have to hang onto it to get my money back, because I won't if I trade/sell it.

Keep the services up, and if you suspect something's wrong, get it looked at. There are also some very knowledgeable people on this forum who will probably give you some tips - hang in there.

Mick

If not already done:
1. put greasable unis in the DC in the front prop-shaft.
2. check the condition of the flexible joint on the rear prop-shaft and replace if cracking.
3. replace the turbo-to-intercooler hoses with later versions or after-market silicon ones.

This will probably not be a popular suggestion.

A really, really, REALLY experienced Land Rover mechanic has seen it all, and will know what to check for future possible disasters. In all likelihood, the burst transmission hose would have been changed before the bursting event.

One of the charms of Land Rovers of old is that they were designed to be home maintained. They were simple and strong, and the workshop manuals were a work of art. They even told the home mechanic which tools to grab to do a particular job.

Our modern desire, pushed on to us by the marketing gentry, has manufacturers fitting everything form digital bum-wipers to doof doof noise makers with the result that the modern Land Rover is not well suited to home maintenance - at least not all the time. A periodic check-over by the above mentioned experienced LR wrench could be the answer with early warning alerts.

Don't get me wrong - home maintenance is still the essence of true motoring, and in-estimably useful in preparing the owner for possible troubles en route.

Likewise, don't get me wrong about modern Land Rovers - a bit complex, yes, but still bloody wonderful, still strong, and still simple compared with some.

Cheers all,

Paul

Well said. Much of the equipment in modern cars is not essential to the performance of the job of providing transportation. Many items are what we in the trade often called "selling tools". GM used to call many of the factory options "comfort and convenience equipment". I can do without carpets, a/c, entertainment systems, electric radiator fans, ABS brakes, self levelling suspensions, numerous interior lights, bum warmers, electric seats, electric windows and so on.

The big thing I have learn't is know exactly what fluids are in you engine and make certain they are correct. They are a great engine but some of the parts are very expensive. Look after it and it should be good to you. It might also be worth getting to know some of the local fabricators. My oil cooler is custom made and should outlast the rest of the engine.

I have found the best way to make sure your Land Rover doesn't break down. Mine has managed not to break for the last three weeks.

Just don't drive it.



Joking people.....just joking.....