Thinking about getting a 2004 Disco with the 4.6, but I noticed a lot of 4.6 Discos have engine problems. Is this a problem that eventually withaffect all 04 Discoverys?
Are all 4.6 Discos problematic?
- Thread starter CRASH05
- Start date
I owned an 04 D2 4.6L for about 4 years (from 68k miles to 106k miles) and other than a few 02 sensors and regular maintenance the only "major" problems were a bad alternator and Crank P sensor (not at once).
They seem to be getting more bad press lately. A friend ditched his when it started ticking like a bastard.
I'm leery of them; I would jump on an '04 S in Giverny Green, though.
I'm leery of them; I would jump on an '04 S in Giverny Green, though.
Some do that, but I haven't seen any fail because of it. Its just annoying more than anything. I know of a few trucks that probably have 50k since the motor starting knocking with no other issues.
buddy has an '04 with ~140K on it, no engine work done that he is aware of. Sounds like a sewing machine when it warms up and it leaks a small amount of coolant (external head gasket) but besides that, it runs like a champ. Once it gets above 8,000 feet in altitude, the ticking goes away for some reason...
Mine ticked for tens of thousands of miles before I got so sick of it that it was either ditch the truck or replace the engine. Truck ran fine, just ticked like a motherfucker. I opted for the engine and all is well. Except my steering box just started leaking....and the transfer case is still seeping ever so slowly. I really have to make a spreadsheet of my maintenance records. I think that after a new steering box goes in I will have replaced just about everything under the hood.
I bought my 2002 disco cheap because of a ticking engine(it starts around 160 degrees). After driving it for 2 years with out any issues other than a failed MAF, I decided to pin the linners to see if the ticking would go away and guess what....it still ticks! I'll keep doing the preventive maintenance and turn up the radio. Works for me!
one of the guys here in AZ had the same issue on his '03... would rap like crazy, except at altitude.. he eventually put a new engine in it.
My 04 has been great...had it for almost 10 years now...14K-86K.
ONE breakdown...the crank pos sensor...easy repair. The transfer box weeps...but they all do sir! Top up every oil change while greasing the propshafts.
BUT...and here is the rub...they are only as good as the care and (over) maintenance they get given. Do not assume most shops or dealers have actually done what they have billed for...(applies to all old cars).
Two MUST do mods....;
1. Upgrade front propshaft to serviceable joints (and make damn sure they get greased every oil change....meaning 3-5000 miles depending on how you drive)
2. Replace thermostat with a 180 degree one so the engine runs around 195....instead of 215 which results in head gasket woes eventually.
Examine the chassis....the rear rots out badly....VERY badly...this is what will kill all of them eventually...
ONE breakdown...the crank pos sensor...easy repair. The transfer box weeps...but they all do sir! Top up every oil change while greasing the propshafts.
BUT...and here is the rub...they are only as good as the care and (over) maintenance they get given. Do not assume most shops or dealers have actually done what they have billed for...(applies to all old cars).
Two MUST do mods....;
1. Upgrade front propshaft to serviceable joints (and make damn sure they get greased every oil change....meaning 3-5000 miles depending on how you drive)
2. Replace thermostat with a 180 degree one so the engine runs around 195....instead of 215 which results in head gasket woes eventually.
Examine the chassis....the rear rots out badly....VERY badly...this is what will kill all of them eventually...
great advice, the other weak link is the electrics. The stupid fuse block under the drivers side dash is prone to give the owner fits with the A/C fan.
tcase is a crapshoot, drain and then refill with white shepherd added and hope you get lucky.
as for steering box, its a lost cause too. it will start to sound like a banshee. Luckily my last attempt (3 months ago) to syringe as much old fluid out and refill (Valvoline PS) with some new PS fluid, it hasnt been losing the fluid and doesnt make a peep.
I would say more 04's have steering box and tcase issues than engine issues. No stats, just from reading here for years, about all of us with 04's have asked.
I keep a spreadsheet of all the work I do on my truck, everything from mundane stuff like oil changes and bulb replacements to more critical jobs like head gaskets and swivel rebuild. Plus all the parts I buy for it. After 5 years the list of projects I have completed is now longer than the list of projects I'd like to do. When I'm done it will be largely "restored" and I can sell my Disco for $8,000 because of all the work I've put into it! Isn't that how it works?
Had a 2004 Discov for 5 years and 70k miles from new. It was my daily driver and I only got rid of it when wife's back surgery necessitated a lower, easier to mount ride. Ticked all the time.
Just found myself a 2003 Discov 2 with 69k miles. (I had to have another one. Don't care for the LR3,4,5.) This 2003 also ticks away. It comes and goes. According to my LR service friends they all do it. Others I have seen in the shop for service do it.
It seems to be a liner thing. They could be slipped. They could be out of round. You don't know unless you open up the engine. But they seem to run okay. Have seen many posts on trucks that ticked and ran on and on. Don't recall any stating ticking was the cause of engine failure.
Just maintain it properly and keep it running cool. Turn the radio on.
The drivers around you will think you have some kind of diesel.
Just found myself a 2003 Discov 2 with 69k miles. (I had to have another one. Don't care for the LR3,4,5.) This 2003 also ticks away. It comes and goes. According to my LR service friends they all do it. Others I have seen in the shop for service do it.
It seems to be a liner thing. They could be slipped. They could be out of round. You don't know unless you open up the engine. But they seem to run okay. Have seen many posts on trucks that ticked and ran on and on. Don't recall any stating ticking was the cause of engine failure.
Just maintain it properly and keep it running cool. Turn the radio on.
The drivers around you will think you have some kind of diesel.