Night of the Living Landrover

[BenDronsick]

Well there has never been any metal in the oil; at least that we could find. The old cover was not scored at all and gears were as new. I kept it pretty well maintained over the years. If I hadn't seen the 5psi with my own eyes I'd say both senders were bad. I'll put 15/50 M1 every 1K and we'll just take it 1K at a time.

 

[BenDronsick]

What's ironic is my 00 with almost 200K I sold to a friend when the 04 came out with CDL is still running perfectly. So the 04 can claw it's way into graveyards the 00 can't touch. Wonderful.

 

[BenDronsick]

UPDATE: Just hit 2K miles on 5-10psi oil pressure without a hitch. Temp needle stays level, engine pulls strong, and still averages about 15MPG on premium. Newest mystery is it's no longer using coolant. Expansion tank level has remained constant over this past 1K miles, and the exhaust no longer stinks. The oil was pretty dirty at this 2nd 1K miles when I changed it; probably the MMO "washing" out any top end sludge (bottom end was spotless when we removed the oil pan to change the front cover).

I am starting to believe it must be a worn rocker arm assembly which is causing the loss in pressure. Bearings worn enough to cause this much pressure loss would have locked it up by now. This is leaning me towards actually doing the head job now, as opposed to replacing the long block down the road.

Hmmm.

 

[singingcamel]

Front cover finally sealed itself!

 

[Big_mark]

Q: Hey I have this problem, will you help me solve it?

A: Yes you need to stop doing the thing that causes the problem.

Reply: But I don't like your answer and the thing that I'm asking you to help me with isn't as bad as you say it is so I'm going to keep doing what I've been doing even though you just told me how to fix my issue and if I keep on keeping on it will eventually kill my car.

A: But if you don't listen to us you'll spend alot of money.

R: I already spent alot of money at a shitty mechanic he says keep driving my car, that way he can replace the whole engine rather than do his job of troubleshooting the actual problem rather than just throw parts at it.

A: You need to learn how to work on your own car so you can save money and be more self reliant.

R: I just spent a lot of money at my shitty mechanic, he says just keep driving my car until it dies so he can replace the entire engine.



BOTTOM LINE:

This guys answers have been answered, if he chooses to take the advise great if not it is going to suck to be him when the engine finally give up on him, I just hope it's not in front of my on the road or trails...


Don't ask questions on the internet if you don't have an open mind or have already decided what you are going to do.

 

[BenDronsick]

1. We dropped the oil pan to check for clogged pickup: none.
2. We ran a mild flush through the engine and timed the oil return to pan after engine shutdown: normal.
3. We pulled the front cover to check for oil pump gear damage or excessive scoring on backplate: all normal.

That is all we can do without "spending a lot of money". The next step would be rebuild top, bottom, or both. I don't believe in pulling apart and/or out a perfectly running motor. My "$hitty mechanic" was the one who recommended taking the next step (top end) but I declined.

Personally I have heard too many stories of engines running oil pressure far below factory spec. for years to invest thousands of dollars of my money, or many hours of my time into a vehicle that is not worth either on paper.

It's running perfectly and heading towards 3K miles on 5-10 psi.

Next update will be at 10K.

God bless the Discovery. Aluminum is forever.

 

[jymmiejamz]

If you've already cleaned the oil pan and still have no oil pressure then you probably have worn out bearings. I'd drive it until it does and then do a short block.

 

[BenDronsick]

I should add to that I do not dispute that at 1/4 factory oil pressure I have lost "capacity" for the engine to do work. It is simply that I do not intend to "work" the engine to that capacity. I drove 911's for years and VERY rarely approached top speed.

At 5psi this engine will not tow That is a given. I admit I have lost that "capacity". But I do not tow. Nor do I live in a warm climate; much less North Africa.

I am driving the equivalent of a 911 with a top speed of 85mph.

On U.S. highways, and given my driving record: that is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[DCDisco]

Well, the difference is that most of us here want to own our trucks for reasons other than basic transportation. We are enthusiast who want our toy to be in it's best condition, cost is not the first concern.

If you are worried about the cost of your transportation, maybe you need to get a Civic or a Prius.

If you are into mall cruising then I think that fad ended with the Hummer brand's death.

 

[jymmiejamz]

Well, the difference is that most of us here want to own our trucks for reasons other than basic transportation. We are enthusiast who want our toy to be in it's best condition, cost is not the first concern.

That is something I also find odd about enthusiasts, they will spend a ton on maintenance and only drive the vehicle a few thousand miles per year. To me it would make sense to spend more on your daily transportation rather than a hobby.

 

[agthird]

I say drive it until the engines toast then make a copy of the key and leave at a local parking lot....

 

[BenDronsick]

I live on a rocky, rutty mountain road in Delaplane, VA about 1,000+ ft. up. Our road is washed out often in winter and last year this time we had about 30" of snow on top of the granite outcroppings. Army Reserve Humvees got stuck. The Disco did not. As long as it can keep that up I do not anticipate spending one dollar more than M1 changes every 3K. I only post these ramblings to help those innumerable who will be searching "oil light flicker" in the many years to come. I want them to know that aluminum is forever. And new long blocks are overrated.

 

[DCDisco]

Well my truck has been paid for for over 8 years and I probably have done $5K worth of extra stuff and maintenance since then. In that same time frame I probably have spent $40-50K on lease payments on cars over those 8 years, so I guess it depends...

Then again I always have a new car or two under warranty to drive day to day. You can treat it like crap and turn it in once your time is up. Its great. There is a 540 and 335 out there that I feel sorry for the current owner!

 

[DCDisco]

I live on a rocky, rutty mountain road in Delaplane, VA about 1,000+ ft. up. Our road is washed out often in winter and last year this time we had about 30" of snow on top of the granite outcroppings. Army Reserve Humvees got stuck. The Disco did not. As long as it can keep that up I do not anticipate spending one dollar more than M1 changes every 3K. I only post these ramblings to help those innumerable who will be searching "oil light flicker" in the many years to come. I want them to know that aluminum is forever. And new long blocks are overrated.

Man, you need to get the county to pave the road. Tell 'em that you've been paying taxes and want to see something for it.

 

[BenDronsick]

Man, you need to get the county to pave the road.

There are more wineries in the Delaplane zip code than any other in Virignia (probably the whole east coast for that matter). If VDOT ever paves this road it will be filled with overweight men on Harleys and underweight men on bicycles all summer long. Perish that thought. I prefer the Humvees. Besides, how else can I justify 15MPG??

You can treat it like crap and turn it in once your time is up. Its great.

That's what my wife did to this Disco. Why do you think the oil light is on in the first place? Her lease was up so I bought it out. I was driving my '00 and fell in love with her 4.6/CDL. Front approach on the facelift was a nice touch too. I had originally cut my '00 front bumper to Saudi spec to clear the rocks up here, but this is even better.

The '04 is just a classic, last-of-breed, handbuilt-aluminum Landrover. You guys don't appreciate them yet. But when the last panel on the last D90 has oxidized into red dust you will eventually come around.

Discoweb will respect the Disco. Someday.

 

[NikeCheck246]

Of everything you have done, and how well you say that motor is performing, I am wondering if maybe you/your mechanic should go to Harbor Freight and get a new oil pressure gauge.