Thread: smoke, noise, lack of low speed power (1998 300tdi disco)

Originally Posted by mittadisco

Be gentle - I'm no mechanic.

Disco S1 300tdi manual 1998 190k kms

I've only just purchased this vehicle:
I'd welcome your comments as to problems I've noticed (or are they just Discos?)
* very difficult to start when cold
* blowing lots of black/?bluish smoke under acceleration load
* very noisy slappy sound (I suppose this is just diesel motor)
* overwhelming diesel smell to interior of vehicle
* lack of take off power at intersection with even a slightest of grades

The salesperson in Sydney (a LR enthusiast, so I am lead to believe - he 'talked the talk') had his LR mechanic change the timing belt etc & turbo just prior to purchase and supposedly has also tuned and given clean bill of health. I wonder? I intend having a suitable mechanic take a captain cook. Have booked into Berrima Diesel (local). They don't do general mechanic - only injectors, timing, turbo etc. Does any one know of a top LR mechanic in SW Sydney or Mittagong Bowral? I'll drive to some recommended on this site as needed (G Cooper for instance).

Sorry to ask dumb questions...

Welcome to the joys of a 300 Tdi Disco. I like you have recently purchased a 1997 model. I too am experiencing the lack of power, diesel smell and very noisy inside the cabin. I have had it a couple of months and get anxious driving it as it seems to be a car that requires constant repairs. it all checked out fine when I purchased it according to those that know. It has a fairly good service record but not fully complete. Had 160000 ks on it when I got it. I have spent over $3000 on it in the time I have had it trying to get it to a state that I feel confident in it. (I still am not) It was a heart purchase as I had always wanted a land Rover but now in the clear light of reality I should have looked alsewhere. I now realise why they deprciate so quickly and have little resale value. I will have to keep mine now and continue throwing money at it in a hope that it comes good and lets me do some of the trips I had planned before getting it. Good luck with yours.

Regards
Col

All sounds familiar, a good L/R spanner man should be able to fix it.
reminds me of my first post years ago, apply titled my disco is a slug,

the problem, the timing was out. had all the symptoms you describe. Was out by a couple of notches and that was from a dealer, on a pulley recall, so i wouldn't trust them.
unless the guy was at a landrover place I would be very sceptical of the work. They are there to make money not spend heaps on fix ups.
Now goes like a rocket.
Without naming names, check out the recommended suppliers.


john

Originally Posted by DISCO COL

Welcome to the joys of a 300 Tdi Disco. I like you have recently purchased a 1997 model. I too am experiencing the lack of power, diesel smell and very noisy inside the cabin. I have had it a couple of months and get anxious driving it as it seems to be a car that requires constant repairs. it all checked out fine when I purchased it according to those that know. It has a fairly good service record but not fully complete. Had 160000 ks on it when I got it. I have spent over $3000 on it in the time I have had it trying to get it to a state that I feel confident in it. (I still am not) It was a heart purchase as I had always wanted a land Rover but now in the clear light of reality I should have looked alsewhere. I now realise why they deprciate so quickly and have little resale value. I will have to keep mine now and continue throwing money at it in a hope that it comes good and lets me do some of the trips I had planned before getting it. Good luck with yours.

Regards
Col

have you had someone that does actually know what they are doing have a look at it?

have you ever driven or owned a 4cyl turbo diesel before this one?

whats your location? feel free to add it to your profile so people can assist you better.

i have been driving 300TDi's for a few years now and i love them. a much better all round package than the petrol units IMHO, and yes i have owned one.

they are no rocket ship but when driven like a turbo diesel they are a very nice unit.

some are harsher and louder than others. my previous disco motor was harsher than my current defender donk but both seem to be very similar in power and economy taking in the gearing differences etc etc.

what have you spent the money on?

Originally Posted by incisor

have you had someone that does actually know what they are doing have a look at it?

have you ever driven or owned a 4cyl turbo diesel before this one?

whats your location? feel free to add it to your profile so people can assist you better.

i have been driving 300TDi's for a few years now and i love them. a much better all round package than the petrol units IMHO, and yes i have owned one.

they are no rocket ship but when driven like a turbo diesel they are a very nice unit.

some are harsher and louder than others. my previous disco motor was harsher than my current defender donk but both seem to be very similar in power and economy taking in the gearing differences etc etc.

what have you spent the money on?

No I haven't owned a 4cyl Disco before this one. I had a Landcruiser FJ45 a few years ago and drove it extensively around Australia. I really wanted a defender Td5 but couldn't get the dollars together for it so went for the Lada I mean Disco as second best. I had it checked by a bloke who has owned worked on and driven many vehicles including Landies and he gave it the thumbs up. I can't blame him as I am the one that paid the money. I have spent most money on fixing things that most Landy owners probably live with but I am a fussy bugger when it comes to maintenance on cars. I am trying to enjoy the ride and not worry about the vehicle so much and I am getting there. Therapy I suppose but frustrating. I am nearly there. It is now completely dry from front to back with only a seep from the inlet manifold. All hoses replaced, (I had an oil return pipe let go on the road) expansion tank and cap, belts and tensioners replaced, timing belt replaced, suspension and shocks replaced. The auto sometimes changes unexpectedly and often hunts between third and fourth. (maybe normal due to underpowered 4cyl) Some of the replaced items were R/S some still ok but for peace of mind I changed them. I have other niggles but have decided to leave them as is and just drive it. I am in Hoppers Crossing Victoria.

Col

Warning, If the timing belt was recently fitted, I would suspect a loose balancer, IE someone hasn't done up the pulley tight enough! Do not drive it until this is fixed or at least eliminated as a cause, because serious damage will result to the crankshaft keyways etc and will necessitate the replacement of the crank.

Urgently see that this is not the problem.

JC

2c,, and I don't mean to prematurely tell you how to suck eggs as I don't know what speeds and situations you are experiencing trans hunting, but in a modern auto trans 4th gear should still be treated as an overdrive, only for hwy use.

Originally Posted by 100I

2c,, and I don't mean to prematurely tell you how to suck eggs as I don't know what speeds and situations you are experiencing trans hunting, but in a modern auto trans 4th gear should still be treated as an overdrive, only for hwy use.

That is news to me. So am I supposed to put the auto selector in 3 around town in a land Rover. Funny that I don't have to do that in my fairmont or my sons berlina, both being four speed autos. The only time in my life that I step down the auto gear selection is when I am towing something heavy or crawling in traffic. I will give it a try just to ease my curiosity now but it would be a PITA if I had to do that all the time. I am sure that She Who Must be Obeyed will love that too. I am interested where you got that info from.

It hunts when I drive around the 80Kmh mark. It can't decide or find a comfortable position.

Col

Urmmm.


drive it around in drive. if your towing lock it in one down from top if top is an overdrive if it hunts lock it in the lower of the 2 gears its hunting between.

applies to ALL automatics in normal type cars (yes that includes landrovers)