2017 Discovery diesel known issues.

discostew

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Sep 14, 2010
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Northern Illinois
The only thing I can really think of is the DEF system is kinda flakey. Some people have no problems and it's probably driving conditions. All the V6 diesels are made by Peugeot. We had to do a timing belt because oil leaked on it from a valve cover gasket.
As far as the DEF fluid goes I think software fixes a lot of them.
Never overfill the def tank if you fill it yourself. If it doesn't have air between the top of the tank and the top of the fluid it will fault it out and inhibit the start.
 
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discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,724
1,021
Northern Illinois
These things run Piezo injectors. If you run this system out of fuel they get destroyed. When you take them out of the engine you need to keep them right side up and full of fuel all the time. I think the piezo crystals get destroyed when air gets in it. It's violent when the air bleeds out of them is the way I understand it. They work great if you don't let bad shit happen to them. The holes are so small you have to program individual injectors to each cylinder. They can't be accurate enough when making a hole that small, so they compensate for it electronically.
 

Howski

Well-known member
Oct 19, 2009
1,490
211
Alabama
Know Jack has been very pleased with his. Interested in hearing any other reviews. Im thinking a diesel D5 would be ideal family hauler when the wife needs a 7 seater
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,724
1,021
Northern Illinois
Outside of that one valve cover leaking into the timing belt I don't remember any other mechanical failures. The belt didn't fail we replaced it because it got oil soaked.
I think the people who have less trouble with the DEF system are the ones who drive it hard. The people that talk about trying to hypermile it and drive really gently don't blow out that particulate filter and go thru a ton of DEF. some people will go thru the whole 18 liter tank in 5 or 6,000 miles. Some people go 10 or 12,000 miles. Engineerings target was to make it the whole 16,000 mile maintenance interval, I've not seen one do that.
 
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JackW

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2005
675
69
After a software upgrade a few months into ownership its been pretty flawless. I do drive mine frequently on "longer" trips and run it down the interstate on a regular basis. I don't really track DEF usage but generally throw a 2.5 gallon bottle in the tank when the low fluid warning comes on. It seems that I'm getting around 5000 - 8000 miles between DEF fill-ups. I have a little over 34,000 miles on mine since May of 2017. Its been a really good truck and a fine road trip car. I'll be running down to south Georgia in a couple of weeks to pick up my latest Eriba travel trailer at the Brunswick docks. It's really nice to be able to go down and back on just over a tank of fuel. I'm getting around 20 mpg around town and 30 mpg on the highway.

I have a new Defender on order - not really sure how I feel about giving up the Discovery. I'm certainly going to miss all the torque and how quietly it goes about its business. It really is an improvement over the LR3. Here it is on the Dragon in June.

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jymmiejamz

Well-known member
Dec 5, 2004
6,008
361
35
Los Angeles, Ca
The only really common problem that has nothing to do with driving style is the cam seals leak in the front. They are actually really easy to do, but you do have to pull the timing belt. Air leaks in the intake and exhaust can cause all sorts of issues like a clogged DPF or DEF quality warnings.
 
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msggunny

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Aug 3, 2007
2,978
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Holly Ridge, NC
The only really common problem that has nothing to do with driving style is the cam seals leak in the front. They are actually really easy to do, but you do have to pull the timing belt. Air leaks in the intake and exhaust can cause all sorts of issues like a clogged DPF or DEF quality warnings.

Do you know if those issues covered by warranty?
 

fishEH

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Jan 26, 2009
6,929
203
Lake Villa, IL
The only really common problem that has nothing to do with driving style is the cam seals leak in the front. They are actually really easy to do, but you do have to pull the timing belt. Air leaks in the intake and exhaust can cause all sorts of issues like a clogged DPF or DEF quality warnings.
Leaking cam seals on a 2 year old car? WTF
 

ERover82

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Nov 26, 2011
3,913
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Darien Gap
Leaking at two years is about the only heritage that thing has left. I keep seeing them around town. The circulating theory is the styling is supposed to be warming up on me. Unfortunately, they still appear to be intentionally styled for the SoCal Gucci and Chihuahua crowd. Unsurprisingly, that's who appears to be buying them.
 

Howski

Well-known member
Oct 19, 2009
1,490
211
Alabama
Unfortunately, they still appear to be intentionally styled for the SoCal Gucci and Chihuahua crowd. Unsurprisingly, that's who appears to be buying them.
I’m not seeing that many of them period. LR4’s and RRS’s each outnumber them at least 10-1 around here
 

ERover82

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Nov 26, 2011
3,913
457
Darien Gap
I'm five hours from the nearest dealer, so the few people driving them around here are not making a casual choice.

Just saw my old LR3 for sale yesterday. Apparently it's turned into a basket case of electrical, cooling, and air suspension issues. Glad I jumped ship.
 

Howski

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Oct 19, 2009
1,490
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Alabama
Drove a D5 for the first time today. Damn these things are nice inside. Whether it is or not as a driver it feels larger than a 3/4. Maybe I’m just not used to it. Still not convinced the suspension articulation is not as good as the 3/4 but the traction control reacts very quickly compared to predecessors
 
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JackW

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Mar 17, 2005
675
69
I think its a little wider than an LR3 - certainly feels like it. I know the traction control works really well - it walked up a steep rutted hill that a 109" two door pickup couldn't conquer. And yes - the interior is a very nice place to be - especially on a 2500 mile road trip.

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JackW

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2005
675
69
20" stock wheel with the Cooper Discoverer ATX3 XLT in 275/55R20. They are remarkably quiet and effective but cost me at least 1 mpg over the stock AT tires that came on the truck. So I'm getting only 29 mpg on the highway, 19-20 around town....

These do work a LOT better on gravel roads - the worn original tires were getting a little squirrely.
 

msggunny

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2007
2,978
3
Holly Ridge, NC
20" stock wheel with the Cooper Discoverer ATX3 XLT in 275/55R20. They are remarkably quiet and effective but cost me at least 1 mpg over the stock AT tires that came on the truck. So I'm getting only 29 mpg on the highway, 19-20 around town....

These do work a LOT better on gravel roads - the worn original tires were getting a little squirrely.
Any issues with rubbing, or are you using lift rods?
 

JackW

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2005
675
69
Stock suspension - no lift rods (otherwise my 5'2" wife wouldn't be able to get in the car)
There is a very slight rub at full right lock - nothing going left. I haven't bothered to climb under it and see where its rubbing since its so minor.
I just don't turn the wheel to full lock - maybe an eighth of a turn short and there is no rubbing. If they made a 270/55 tire it would be perfect.
 
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