Las Vegas or BUST! (Bust being a real possibility) - ADVICE NEEDED

[LeeKelley]

Here's the deal: I'm a Mechanical Engineer in Birmingham, AL and I've been assigned to work in the field on a project near Las Vegas for at least 8 months. I can't imagine being away from my rover for that long, so I'm taking her with me! I've always wanted to explore some terrain out there, so I'm going for it.

I need some advice on things to check, clean, replace, fill, what-have-you to make sure my disco is ready to roll.


Vehicle Breakdown:
2004 Discovery S
-150,000 miles
-2" RTE springs with Rancho 9000XL's(don't judge me, I got a good deal a year ago)
-XD style Roof Rack
-Nearly new Wrangler MTR's on the front and worn old BFG Mud Terrain's on rear.
-SAI Pump is out and throws CEL for it(I have it disconnected currently).
-OBDII also shows bad MAF, which was replaced about a year ago, but I suspect this could be due to horrible exhaust leaks in and around the Y-pipe.
-Just replaced the manifold gaskets which was where lots of exhaust was leaking.
-Just replaced front propshaft(stock replacement), front rotors, pads, rear pads,and turned rear rotors.
-Ordered new soft spring thermostat and radiator cap to be installed soon
-Gets awful 12-13 MPG's
-Since it has 150K, I suspect/hope that the PO has already replaced the head gaskets, but I have no clue. This scares me.
-Recently replaced a gasket around the throttle body, which I BELIEVE stopped all major coolant leaks, but obviously I've got oil leaks for days...

Current Thoughts:
-Front and rear differential drain and refill
-Auto Transmission drain and refill (someone told me I should flush, but I'm hesitant)
-Trying to source some steel bumpers, but this may have to wait until I get to Vegas. (currently have the stock soccer-mom-bumpers smashed up and hanging off front and rear) More concerned about the truck running well right now.
-I suspect/fear my motor mounts are shot. (which doesn't help the exhaust leak situation)


The plan is to TOW a small trailer with my motorcycle all the way from Bham to Vegas on roughly September 12th, so I have a few weeks to get this thing in ship shape. Please, take pity upon me and give me some advice and thoughts! Understand that I'm not a total dummy on this stuff. I owned a '97 D1 for about 4-5 years, and I've now had this one for about 3, I think. I'm also an engineer, so you don't have to dumb it down too much.

 

[riceybean]

Flush and fill coolant, new thermostat and check all hoses. I pulled a trailer (8x10) from PA to Vegas in July, ask me what I didnt do before I left? That Vail pass is a bitch.

 

[KyleT]

Vail pass busted my heater hose las summer. But I was hammer down.

 

[LeeKelley]

Haha, OK. I figured I might as well flush it and refill it when I switched out that thermostat. Any thoughts on procedure/importance of a "Flush" as opposed to just a drain and refill. I remember a few years back, I actually flushed it through with a hose attached to it after I replaced the water pump.

 

[rover4x4]

Flush the system, and do the inline thermostat "mod" might be worth doing a tune up as well. At very least service the cooling system and buy a new fan clutch.

 

[jhk07]

purchase a ScanGauge or similar product. Hook it up full time. Peace of mind on coolant temp, voltage, reading codes, and it reads a lot of other crap that is probably useful to someone, but not me.

 

[Drillbit]

I have a sai pump, y pipe and a arb bumper and am on your way. Give me a call and maybe you can stop in on your way. It would drive me mad to go accross the country with an exhaust leak.

 

[LeeKelley]

A buddy of mine said that he had a scangauge that he was going to give me for the trip. It does sound like a good idea, so I'm thankful for that.

Last night when checking out some other things, I confirmed that I do indeed need new engine mounts AND new tranny mounts. What and where do I get? What's the best/cheapest option with those? (Baller on a budget)

EDIT: Will Tillery is my hero. He had some heavy duty mounts on hand that he gave me at a great price. One more issue solved!

 

[LeeKelley]

Anything else, people? I feel like there's more I should be worried about. I've heard a lot about some position sensors that are sure to go out and leave you stranded sometime over 100K miles.

 

[stu454]

Crankshaft Position Sensor (abbv CkPS on dweb) will shit the bed seemingly out of the blue.

 

[LeeKelley]

Awesome! Seriously? So, just have one on hand....? It's not a cheap enough part to just buy out of pure irrational fear is it?

 

[Vegas99D1]

I would recommend joining AAA for your trip, if you need road service for whatever reason, handy to have someone to call. I think it's like $120 for a year of their premium membership and they will tow up to 200 miles once. Just good peace of mind since you are driving quite a distance.

 

[dcarr1971]

I would recommend joining AAA for your trip, if you need road service for whatever reason, handy to have someone to call. I think it's like $120 for a year of their premium membership and they will tow up to 200 miles once. Just good peace of mind since you are driving quite a distance.

x2 Been towed at least three times this year. (Twice it was the wife's Toyota and once was a parts truck I'd just bought.) AAA is well worth the $$$...

 

[LeeKelley]

Ya know, I've had that thought... And now after you mention it, I will definitely do that.

 

[96discoI]

X2 on the AAA. if you get the premium service and you break down, AAA will pay for up to 1600 dollars worth of expenses. room, rental, food. They are insured by Allianz and AAA couldn't care less as long as your membership is paid. I broke down twice moving my family from Missouri to California and they reimbursed all of the food and hotel expenses. great coverage for land rovers that travel. just do as much prep as you can and let Allianz pick up the tab WHEN you break down...I am planning to break down on my next trip so I can get my expenses paid. The only catch is you have to be 150 miles from home.