Picked up a cheap L322, worth replacing the D2

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capri_auto

Well-known member
Jun 1, 2005
836
0
North NJ
I started looking into L322s now that the last D2's are over 11 years old. My 04 D2 has about 153k on it. Bought it for 2500 3 years ago with 104k. Has always had that engine tap, but was fairly reliable. I changed out most of the cooling system due to brittle plastic, water pump, did the coil packs, power stearing pump, some SAI work when I first got the truck. Only left me stranded when I broke the plastic nipple on the rad. Still runs great, and looks pretty good. No leaks hitting the driveway and no dash lights.

I was checking out craigslist and saw an 04 L322 with 118k for 4k. Previous owner has it since 66k. Long story short its in my diveway now. Runs and drives very well. New brakes, new front air shocks and compressor. Has some cosmetic issues inside and out. Trim around the side mirrors is bubbling (how hasn't land rover figured out to coat metal yet??) A few paint scraps on the bumpers. Paint on inside trim starting to flake and some spots. Has dead pixels on the odometer readout, gas gauge doesnt work (tank is full but shows empty). Has a new fuel pump, but something probably wasn't connected right, who knows. Needs a set of tires. Other than that everything seems to work.

I've owned about 12 rovers, plus some parts trucks. I know the disco 1 and 2 well. I routinely get them for laughable money, drive them for a couple years, and sell them on for a small profit and get a newer truck with about 100k miles. I don't hit trails anymore, probably some rough dirt roads at most now so capability wise the L322 will be fine for me. I tow a bassboat and I think she will tow just fine as well. From what I understand there are probably going to me more electrical issues which could pop up with the L322. I can deal with that shit as long as I am not left stranded.

My question is about reliability and parts availability. Now I'm not comparing the BMW and Jag L322s, I understand the jags have a better reputation even though a lot of people love the M62 engine. Reliability wise, How does the D2 drivetrain compare with the early L322? With the d2 I'm always worried the HGs are going to go, or some other shit with the cooling system. Do I need anything other than ODB2 to work on these? And is there a decent supply of reasonably priced used parts available from breakers yet? I'm trying to decide if I should sell the 04 D2 and "learn" the L322. L322s production ran through 2012 so I could have a steady stream of cheapfuck trucks for some time.
 
Ed Cheung

Ed Cheung

Well-known member
Aug 23, 2006
1,584
2
Hong Kong
You won't have head gasket issue with the M62, as long as the cooling system is in good order. Many people say the chain guides will fall apart in the M62, but I guess that is due to how well you keep up with the maintenance schedule. I had an M62 in a E39, so that's what I can speak of. It is a pretty good engine.
 
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capri_auto

Well-known member
Jun 1, 2005
836
0
North NJ
Yea I'm reading about the vanos and chain guide issues on the bmw motors... Since I still have my d2 I may do the vanos reseal and chain guides or just fix the small issues and sell it on. I'm reading about this front diff recall. How can I see if my truck had this done? How bad are the 06s? I would like AC on my balls... but cost is a concern for us cheap fucks.
 
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discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,733
1,024
Northern Illinois
capri_auto said:
Yea I'm reading about the vanos and chain guide issues on the bmw motors... Since I still have my d2 I may do the vanos reseal and chain guides or just fix the small issues and sell it on. I'm reading about this front diff recall. How can I see if my truck had this done? How bad are the 06s? I would like AC on my balls... but cost is a concern for us cheap fucks.
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The 06 is better but kind of still a bastard. It has the better engine and the front struts don't seem to fail as often BUT none of the software in different systems seem to get along all that well.
The timing covers leak on the BMW engines but the Vanos and the guides is really kind of a rare failure. The alternator is a really expensive unit , the valley pan is pretty common to leak coolant. You will see it staining the cross member that sits right behind the engine. The rear suspension will get a loud creak noise over bumps because the upper and lower bushings for the knuckle. The fuel pumps drop like flies once the weather gets cold, the coils are prone to crap out, and also the valve covers will leak oil into the hole that the spark plug sits in. That will cause a misfire. If you do get a misfire the cylinders report and store faults kinda strange. I get so confused that I unplug the coil on the cylinder I think its flagging just to make sure I'm on the right one. They have a couple levels of security immobilization, one will allow it to crank but not run the fuel pump and another that just wont let it crank at all.
I would be shocked if your front diff recall wasn't done. So many guys liked doing those that they all got snatched up . It's a pretty easy recall once you figure out that if you jack up the left side of the engine the diff will come out the opening you make, avoiding the whole removal of the steering rack and a lot of the suspension removal.
I don't want to scare you but just watch for any signs of why this guy wanted out of it. Like coolant loss would scare the shit out of me personally.
 
Ed Cheung

Ed Cheung

Well-known member
Aug 23, 2006
1,584
2
Hong Kong
discostew said:
The timing covers leak on the BMW engines but the Vanos and the guides is really kind of a rare failure. The alternator is a really expensive unit , the valley pan is pretty common to leak coolant. You will see it staining the cross member that sits right behind the engine. ......
I don't want to scare you but just watch for any signs of why this guy wanted out of it. Like coolant loss would scare the shit out of me personally.
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U are really scaring the shit out of me now.
 
C

capri_auto

Well-known member
Jun 1, 2005
836
0
North NJ
Ed Cheung said:
U are really scaring the shit out of me now.
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Oh yea, I'm definitely scared, but thats how I felt going into the D2 from the D1. I pulled a p0011 code on the truck so it may need guides already. Kind of crazy since its only got 118k, most guys say should be closer to 180k plus. I have 2 CPSs so I'm going to try that first then drop the oil pan. It is very quiet at startup, but has that faint warm idle tap that sounds like Vanos. Im prepared to do the work if I have to. The guy I got it from seemed like an honest dude. Showed me all the issues. He got all the major work and oil changes done at an indy shop. The "fixes" he tried to perform himself are awful yet easily corrected. He had 2 new Land rovers and some old jags he was keeping. I think he got rid of this thing because too many cars, he was dumping a ton of money into this truck, and the P0011 just popped up. For the money I got in it I feel like it could be a fun truck to get back on the road and drive for a couple years until the 07s come down. The chain guide job could be hell though.
 
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discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,733
1,024
Northern Illinois
capri_auto said:
Oh yea, I'm definitely scared, but thats how I felt going into the D2 from the D1. I pulled a p0011 code on the truck so it may need guides already. Kind of crazy since its only got 118k, most guys say should be closer to 180k plus. I have 2 CPSs so I'm going to try that first then drop the oil pan. It is very quiet at startup, but has that faint warm idle tap that sounds like Vanos. Im prepared to do the work if I have to. The guy I got it from seemed like an honest dude. Showed me all the issues. He got all the major work and oil changes done at an indy shop. The "fixes" he tried to perform himself are awful yet easily corrected. He had 2 new Land rovers and some old jags he was keeping. I think he got rid of this thing because too many cars, he was dumping a ton of money into this truck, and the P0011 just popped up. For the money I got in it I feel like it could be a fun truck to get back on the road and drive for a couple years until the 07s come down. The chain guide job could be hell though.
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Your gonna "JUST DROP THE PAN", have you gotten a good look at what it's going to take to do that? The code you mention is bank 1 camshaft over advanced. If it looks like the timing covers have been off recently then somebody didn't get it timed right. With no noise I doubt you have a tensioner or guide problem.
 
D Chapman

D Chapman

1
Jan 3, 2005
11,746
73
On Kennith's private island
Recently bought a CPO 2012 L320 supercharged. Hands down the nicest car I've ever owned. Not sure I'd want to own it after the warranty expires in 2021, though.

At the same time I bought a 1971 SIIa. I've logged more miles on the IIa. I personally like the IIa as a DD opposed to the sport. Well, until it gets really cold outside, then I may change my mind.

The Range Rover has come a long way. I can't say I agree with the changes Rover has made with the vehicle line up over the years, but the new(er) Range Rovers are certainly nice cars.
 
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capri_auto

Well-known member
Jun 1, 2005
836
0
North NJ
discostew said:
Your gonna "JUST DROP THE PAN", have you gotten a good look at what it's going to take to do that? The code you mention is bank 1 camshaft over advanced. If it looks like the timing covers have been off recently then somebody didn't get it timed right. With no noise I doubt you have a tensioner or guide problem.
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Honestly I haven't looked at the oil pan, just read the bmw forums last night regarding P0011. I'm guessing its harder on the L322 than the BMWs? On the Bimmers its just 25 bolts. When I finish my coffee I'm going to fuck around with it for a few hours. It's going to be warm the rest of the week so I'm going to try to get some stuff done on it.

You have OD on that IIA? I'd own one if I didn't have to take the fucking NJ Parkway to work every day haha.
 
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discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,733
1,024
Northern Illinois
No question this car company has come a long way. The LR4 is improved over the LR3. It's not just the extra power, something about the suspension geometry that just makes it feel a lot better. Also the full size range is probably the best feeling, driving , looking truck I have ever driven. I really do believe these are the finest trucks on the road.
 
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discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,733
1,024
Northern Illinois
capri_auto said:
Honestly I haven't looked at the oil pan, just read the bmw forums last night regarding P0011. I'm guessing its harder on the L322 than the BMWs? On the Bimmers its just 25 bolts. When I finish my coffee I'm going to fuck around with it for a few hours. It's going to be warm the rest of the week so I'm going to try to get some stuff done on it.

You have OD on that IIA? I'd own one if I didn't have to take the fucking NJ Parkway to work every day haha.
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25 bolts after the diff is out and the suspension out so the axle that goes thru the pan can be pulled all the way out of the truck. All that depends on you getting the nut off the axle on the outboard side of the bearings. That's a crap shoot too.
 
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capri_auto

Well-known member
Jun 1, 2005
836
0
North NJ
discostew said:
25 bolts after the diff is out and the suspension out so the axle that goes thru the pan can be pulled all the way out of the truck. All that depends on you getting the nut off the axle on the outboard side of the bearings. That's a crap shoot too.
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Yea fuck that as a diagnostic method. Guy that sold it installed new chinese CPS which obviously didnt fix the code. Vanos solenoid on pass side looks suspect. Rusted and leaking oil. I'm going to pull the suspect one out to see if its sticking and maybe switch them. Could a timing tensioner throw that code too? May pull that to see if its stuck.

Again, no rattling at startup this morning, started tapping a little after 30 seconds of running then quieted down once warm. The engine sound really good to be honest, idles well and has plenty of power. I'm not ruling out chain guides yet though.
 
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