Hello everyone. I have a 2004 Disco with the classic and potentially terminal engine tick. Normally I wouldn't have much hope, especially after all the reading I've done over the past week. However I'd still like to present this case to you all. I am looking for opinions on where to go next. Body is great, frame is about as good as you'll get in the northeast usa, interior is quite clean too. Transmission, tcase, driveline all feels great, still has the original front driveshaft. 
As the story goes... this was owned by a very nice geriatric who bought it new, loved it for many years. She got into some trouble with her eyesight and the Disco was parked. Weeks turned to months, months into years. It was serviced and put into storage at some point in that first year. She never did get back behind the wheel. Here we are nearly five years later. I purchased it for a pittance.
The patient is a 4.6l V8, it has 103,000 miles. It is more or less untouched, never had any sort of major repair or overhaul. Coolant lines weep, valve covers are wet, oil pan is wet, but nothing has commingled. The oil is clean and free of coolant and vice versa. Aside from various drips it does not consume coolant. One particular drip is coming from the rear of the engine and landing right on the drive shaft. Nothing measurable but it weeps.
Problem 1 is that it ticks after warming up. Oh yes, we all know this one. In my case it sounds like the upper rear valve cover area. A singular tapping that sounds light, like a rod or lifter, not heavy like the loose sleeves I've heard in videos.
Problem 2 is the oil pressure. Good and strong on a cold start, but once it idles down the oil lamp comes on. Thicker oil delayed things but the lamp comes on and stays on. Running the HVAC raises the rpm just enough to keep it off though. I will try and get pressure readings this week.
Problem 3 is the two rear spark plugs closest to firewall look suspiciously light colored. None of the eight cylinders are 'washed' from coolant but are instead a bit oily and have a layer of carbon/black junk. Cylinder walls look fine.
I suppose my main question is whether this motor is worth sinking money into. Simply check for a bad oil pump? Move on to head gasket diagnostics and replacement? Dump a can of seafoam in and give 'er an Italian tune up? Or do I just assume this thing needs a new engine given the known issues and age... What would you do? Thanks for any advice.
As the story goes... this was owned by a very nice geriatric who bought it new, loved it for many years. She got into some trouble with her eyesight and the Disco was parked. Weeks turned to months, months into years. It was serviced and put into storage at some point in that first year. She never did get back behind the wheel. Here we are nearly five years later. I purchased it for a pittance.The patient is a 4.6l V8, it has 103,000 miles. It is more or less untouched, never had any sort of major repair or overhaul. Coolant lines weep, valve covers are wet, oil pan is wet, but nothing has commingled. The oil is clean and free of coolant and vice versa. Aside from various drips it does not consume coolant. One particular drip is coming from the rear of the engine and landing right on the drive shaft. Nothing measurable but it weeps.
Problem 1 is that it ticks after warming up. Oh yes, we all know this one. In my case it sounds like the upper rear valve cover area. A singular tapping that sounds light, like a rod or lifter, not heavy like the loose sleeves I've heard in videos.
Problem 2 is the oil pressure. Good and strong on a cold start, but once it idles down the oil lamp comes on. Thicker oil delayed things but the lamp comes on and stays on. Running the HVAC raises the rpm just enough to keep it off though. I will try and get pressure readings this week.
Problem 3 is the two rear spark plugs closest to firewall look suspiciously light colored. None of the eight cylinders are 'washed' from coolant but are instead a bit oily and have a layer of carbon/black junk. Cylinder walls look fine.
I suppose my main question is whether this motor is worth sinking money into. Simply check for a bad oil pump? Move on to head gasket diagnostics and replacement? Dump a can of seafoam in and give 'er an Italian tune up? Or do I just assume this thing needs a new engine given the known issues and age... What would you do? Thanks for any advice.
