| Author | Message | ||
     chris sharpe (Bromhead) New Member Username: Bromhead Post Number: 1 Registered: 02-2003 |
I have a 97 disco with 79,200 miles and I may be in trouble… Over the course of my rovers life I have had the following problems relating to leaks. For the most part, the std LRover warranty or extended warranty has paid for the repairs. I fixed a few of the more minor issues myself. My extended warranty runs out in 800 miles and I am starting to think that maybe its time to part ways with my beloved truck (or more correctly, my new wife is starting to think this…) Is this normal? I seem to have a leaker and if the past can serve as a guide, in a little over a year, I should have a $1k+ bill. This scares me. Last weekend, while the Rover was leaking all over Exclusive British European in Campbell, I was up in Tahoe, driving my wife’s 1987 Pathfinder. It was humiliating, this thing will not die. It has 205K miles and no freaking problems. If I don’t think up a sufficient argument soon, I fear the unthinkable will happen. I will inherit the Pathfinder and the Rover will be traded in for, god forbid, a Camry. I’m not sure what is worse, getting the Camry, or keeping the rover and having a 2k bill next year! HELP! I wave at other rovers, I bought a Discoweb video, I’m polite to Kyle, so why is God punishing me? Here is the damage: 2/03 engine gaskets and transfer case leaking @$2,900 4/02 rear pinion seal $379 replace oil cooler lines $415 power steering return hoses: $230 3/02 replaced leaking valve cover gasket $290 transfer case input seal $970 3/01 replaced front crack seal $145 replaced rear main seal $865 resealed oil pan gasket $205 replaced headgaskets $1,200 misc parts: $350 power steering box: $550 3/00 leaking valve cover gaskets ($? LR warranty) 7/99 replaced power steering hoses ($? LR Warranty) | ||
| charles pastrano (Charles) Member Username: Charles Post Number: 136 Registered: 08-2002 |
Chris Before your warranty is up make sure you have the VSS changed because it will go out soon, check the manifold for cracks and just do an inspection all around. It sounds like you have worked out all the major quirks. You should be fine here on out assuming you have changed your oil religously. One thing to remember a rover will always leak. If it isnt leaking your out of fluid or it is broken. | ||
| John Hook (Hookdesign) New Member Username: Hookdesign Post Number: 38 Registered: 12-2002 |
Holy crap! If you replaced/repaired all those things listed, you have a new truck! My 97 has some leaks but I just keep the fluids filled and park on the street. Those prices stagger me. I've done several of the items and the one that blows me away is 290.00 for valve cover gasket replacement. I printed this thread so when my wife is bitching about my truck, I can show her how much money i'm saving since i do most repairs myself. Oh, she isn't bitching about my truck lately as she had to use it the other morning to get to work since her new BMw 325xi wouldn't start amd it's got less than 2500 miles! Now I have some fighting power with her when Lucas acts up on me. Good luck and I say keep it at all expense...especially if you'll be driving a Camry. Oh and the VSS Charles said will probably go soon. Part is cheap and it's a 15 minute fix. John | ||
| Discovery 1 Owner (D1_owner) New Member Username: D1_owner Post Number: 14 Registered: 02-2003 |
Chris, sounds like your Disco and mine were built at the same time, one after the other -- right after they had the all you can drink black-and-tans at the factory that day. Well, I have about 122K miles now on my 97. I had to replace the radiator and then shortly after this, the water pump. It was an expensive year -- same issue with the wife. I know have to get my cooler lines (oil/trans) replaced -- they are leaking. As I said before, and Charles agrees, I defy someone to find me a D1 that does not leak -- it must have fluids and cannot have been recently fixed -- it takes a few weeks for the leaks to redevelop somewhere else. Apparently the English do not have a problem with minor/annoying fluid leaks. To them, I suppose, cars/trucks are supposed to leak -- the oils provide rust protection for the damp conditions in England. | ||
| Ron Brown (Ron) Member Username: Ron Post Number: 95 Registered: 04-2001 |
Trade it in on one with a warranty Ron | ||
| Geoff 93 RRC (Geoff) Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 46 Registered: 11-2002 |
You can buy another warranty for I think about $2K up. Worth it from most experiences. Good option vs new car from financial perspective. | ||
| Discovery 1 Owner (D1_owner) New Member Username: D1_owner Post Number: 15 Registered: 02-2003 |
Be careful when reviewing warranties. Not all items that you have had done are considered warrantable; they can categorize them as "maintenance" which is not covered. Also, small leaks generally may not be considered warrantable either. But, if you do get an extended warranty you must do it before yours runs out otherwise it may not be possible to get one (especially if you buy Land Rover's). Others, such as AAA are very expensive for LR's and they require a check-up prior to initiating coverage. Remember, most of them cover you for about 24 or 25K miles and 2 years. My running estimate is that it costs about 800 - 1000 for every 10000 miles. Of that cost, approx. 600 - 800 are items that may be considered warrantable. The remaining balance are maintenance costs -- oil changes, fluid changes, brakes, tires/balance/rotations/alignment, etc. So, the warranty is actually more expensive that your anticipated out-of-pocket costs. However, there is that "insurance" aspect in the event that there is a large problem. But I think you have tackled many of the problems, and in some twisted way I have come to look at small oil leaks as a given. Let's say you add a quart of oil every 1000 miles (between leaks/burning, etc.). That amounts to a little over $100.00 for the next 100,000 miles -- insignificant compared to costs of repair. | ||
| chris sharpe (Bromhead) New Member Username: Bromhead Post Number: 2 Registered: 02-2003 |
Good points & thank you for the input. Not everyting is covered and the warranty cost @$1,500 (40k more miles, 3 years) But, on 3/01 and 2/03 alone, the warranty paid out about $6k. If I didnt have the warranty, I would expect that I would have simply accepted some of the leaks. Something I will have to do in the future, if I keep the truck. Sadly, the option of simply trading it in for a new one with a warranty would be a hard sell as our second car is also a SUV. A 87 Pathfinder with 2.5x more miles and besides oil changes and the occasional tune up, no maintenance issues...(& no fun) | ||
| Bruce_flrc (Bruce_flrc) New Member Username: Bruce_flrc Post Number: 2 Registered: 02-2003 |
97 with 79K on the clock and that many issues? Wow it's got to be either a Monday AM or Friday PM assembled truck. 1st, sell pathfinder, use money to seed your own warranty fund for future. 2nd, sell LR and get slightly used one. Good luck | ||
| jerry d quintana (Exjeeper) New Member Username: Exjeeper Post Number: 19 Registered: 02-2003 |
Wow 1995 I am running on 140000 miles and the only parts I have had to replace is a starter, stepper motor, one fuel injector and an alternator. Leaks are very minor. besides the parts that wear belts, brakes and changing the oil I guess I have been lucky | ||
| Dr. Joshua C. Gorman (Jgdds) New Member Username: Jgdds Post Number: 6 Registered: 02-2003 |
I have a 02 Disco with 16,000 miles. So far I have had the cargo door lock acuator replaced and a clogged A/C drain line fixed. Should I expect to have all of these problems in the future or did LR make some changes in what seems to be design flaws etc.? Thanks | ||
| Chris Browne (Chris_browne) New Member Username: Chris_browne Post Number: 6 Registered: 02-2003 |
Ac lines can clog from time to time, hate to say it by stuff likes to grow in those fellows and blockages happen. Rear Door actuator...never heard of one of those going.... If thats the sume total of problems after 16k maybe I really should add an 03/04 to the fleet this year | ||
| charles pastrano (Charles) Member Username: Charles Post Number: 139 Registered: 08-2002 |
Dr. Gorman I have learned many things about these vehicles. They have alot of little quirks to them in the begining. Everything from electrical glitches like dirty contacts in the seat switches to the windows not rolling up. Take care of any and all problems before the warranty expires including leaks. I have yet to see a landrover that doesnt leak so expect it after the warranty. Also dont let the dealer schedule an appointment one day after or one mile past the expiration date. Most of the quirks are usually worked out within the first 36k miles. As long as maintenance is done without fail you will have a very capable vehicle for a long time. Another thing landrover owners have is DiscoWeb. This site is single handedly the best resource to identify most problems with your vehicle. Welcome and take time to look at the store and support the website. Charles | ||
| chris sharpe (Bromhead) New Member Username: Bromhead Post Number: 3 Registered: 02-2003 |
I'm keeping the truck! My wife was so put off by my sulking the last week, that the Rover has a reprieve. For now? Thanks for the input |
