| Author | Message | ||
     Peter Healey (Peterh) New Member Username: Peterh Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2003 |
I am researching Buying a Disco. I love to tinker with cars. I struggle to find the time with 2 small kids though. Here are some of the things I've read and am worried about as expensive repairs. Comments and likelihoods welcomed. 1) Valve job on '96-'98 = $2000 2) Cat Converters = $300?(Local Shop) 3) Steering box = $350 (DIY) 4) Radiator = $650 (DIY) 5) Alternator = $300 6) Rear end? after 100k mi 7) Oil Pump $? 100? What is the likelihood of needing valve job 50%? (if I buy 1996) What is likelihood of radiator? 90% Thanks, Peter '93 SAAB 900 | ||
| Land Rover Certified Used A**hole (Jason) Senior Member Username: Jason Post Number: 488 Registered: 04-2002 |
1. Valve Job...$2000 You can find new heads for less than half that price, AND save money doing it yourself. | ||
| Peter Matusov (Pmatusov) Senior Member Username: Pmatusov Post Number: 819 Registered: 09-2002 |
Peter, I have a 96D1, and it scares me shitless to think that not a thing from your list is done at 132kmi... peter | ||
| Peter Healey (Peterh) New Member Username: Peterh Post Number: 3 Registered: 05-2003 |
Peter Matusov, it is great to hear your good experience. My mechanic was going on and on about why I should not buy a Disco. I'm really interested. Thanks for the response Jason, I am a novice mechanic. Saab ball joints, exhaust. Wrangler rear mail seal and shocks. All bolt on stuff. Are the new valves somewhat of a bolt on job too. I think that I saw that the Disco manual is published by Bentley. The Saab manual is Bentley also and it is awesome. | ||
| Daniel Covaciu (Danielcovaciu) Senior Member Username: Danielcovaciu Post Number: 332 Registered: 10-2002 |
I have not done 1 thing on that list either at 71K miles. Although I imagine that by the time I hit about 200K miles all those things may pop up. | ||
| Land Rover Certified Used A**hole (Jason) Senior Member Username: Jason Post Number: 489 Registered: 04-2002 |
Peter, a valve-job typically entails replacing the valves (or just de-carbonizing them), replacing the valve guides (this is generally why the valves stick in the first place), regrinding the valve seats, and reassembling the heads. You can find new head castings (everything minus valves, springs and retainers) or new complete heads for less than $1000 a set. You can find rebuilt heads for less than $600 a set (basically a used head with the "valve job"). No special tools needed other than a torque wrench. If you need to do this, you may want to consider replacing the head bolts with head studs and nuts, and buying the required gaskets (intake, head, exhaust, etc) ahead of time. Takes more time than anything. | ||
| Peter Matusov (Pmatusov) Senior Member Username: Pmatusov Post Number: 820 Registered: 09-2002 |
Peter, i heard that the best remedy for not deal with sticking valves issue is to drive it hard on the highway. given with my wife doing 90% of all the driving of the disco, and her barely getting 13mpg on the hwy, she must be taking good care of the valve issue. the disco runs so well that i'm hesitant even to change the spark plugs - haven't done so in the last 75kmi... don't mess with a good thing! peter | ||
| Robert Sublett (Rubisco98) Senior Member Username: Rubisco98 Post Number: 936 Registered: 04-2002 |
I've got a '96 Disco with 157,000 on the clock as of today. I've replaced the alternator more than once, and the steering box leaks but other than that no other problems from your list. It's the small crap that will annoy you (cruise control problems, brake switch keeping you from putting it into gear..etc.. but these are small problems in the big picture. I'd not hesitate to hop in mine right now and cruise from Tennessee to Oregon.. Later.. RS | ||
| Matthew Gibson (Mattgibson) Member Username: Mattgibson Post Number: 46 Registered: 06-2003 |
My '96 now has 177,000 miles on it and I have got to replace the cats. Still running fine without any knock. To the best of my knowledge and that of the previous owner, the valves have never been rebuilt or replaced. More than likely all the other little stuff will need to be replaced first- tie rod ends, hoses, etc- if it was well maintained. Had too on mine. Spent 8,000 on buying vehicle, another thousand with minor repairs. | ||
| Alyssa Brown (Alyssa) Member Username: Alyssa Post Number: 210 Registered: 01-2003 |
ABS modulator. If that goes, you can just go without ABS. If it's a manual, watch out for the transmission. | ||
| Peter Healey (Peterh) New Member Username: Peterh Post Number: 4 Registered: 05-2003 |
This is all great news. Don't take the council of fear. I was hoping to buy a '96 SD with 80k on it. It is one owner (I think) and dealer maintained. I hope she will take $8000 for it. I am getting much closer to stepping up to the plate Thanks Peter | ||
| Scott Scott (Scottoz) Member Username: Scottoz Post Number: 81 Registered: 02-2003 |
What is wrong with the manual box - my 2002 D11 is a manaul. | ||
| Matthew Shoup (Dr_bubble) New Member Username: Dr_bubble Post Number: 10 Registered: 06-2003 |
Just my two cents but any car will have problems eventually and they wont be cheap either. Living life and buying cars by this mentality and you'll never get something you'll be happy with. Instead, maybe you should consider all the other other options and features a Land Rover can provide that no other car can and use that as a reason to purchase or not instead of the worst case scenerios with repair. If you love it, you'll fix it. Matthew | ||
| Roland Kutasi (Disco1) Senior Member Username: Disco1 Post Number: 294 Registered: 10-2002 |
I agree with Peter M. I had (310,000km)185,000 miles on my 91 before I changed the motor over to a 4.6 and have never replaced any of the above items. | ||
| Gil Stevens (Gil) Senior Member Username: Gil Post Number: 349 Registered: 02-2002 |
i think it all really depends on what day of the week the truck was built on.. | ||
| Paul T. Schram (Paulschram) Senior Member Username: Paulschram Post Number: 1724 Registered: 02-2002 |
My experiences... 1) Valve job on '96-'98 = $2000 Did this due to my stupidity. Total cost, about $700 and that includes pilot-error induced cost overruns 2) Cat Converters = $300?(Local Shop) Mine are running strong at 173K miles. Might not be doing anything, but they aren't hurting anything. 3) Steering box = $350 (DIY) Bought a used rebuilt one for less than half this amount. Pleasingly found it to be one of the easier tasks on these trucks. Took about three hours start to finish and that inclded replacing the nut I stripped on the sector shaft. 4) Radiator = $650 (DIY) Got a great deal on a new one from of all places, eBay. Cost, $500 and an hour labor. 5) Alternator = $300 Now this one is valid! I'm ont he fourth alternator. I have a spare, just in case! 6) Rear end? after 100k mi This one I seriously question. If you keep the oil level up and avoid wheel spin when wheeling, this is not an issue to be concerned about. The only two people I know who have this problem, one did not maintain oil levels, and the other seems to blow parts up very often. Neither were related directly to the part, but the drivers. 7) Oil Pump $? 100? Very rare to have fail, even in high mileage vehicles. YMMV. Paul | ||
| Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Senior Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 322 Registered: 01-2003 |
No one mentioned the fuel pump, about $300 less for DIY. Also stupid stuff, suspension bushings, $50 to $300 depending on what needs replaced. CV's and u-joints, kind of like the diffs, if they aren't serviced or are beaten on they can fail. My 95 with 110k is a strong runner getting 16mpg, I did a fuel pump at 106K and a radiator at 95k. Leaky power steering was fixed with hoses, misc electrical failed electric windows, ac fan switch and door lock remote, leaking vacuum lines so no cruise control and idle problems. Over all get a regular serviced used disco and you should be fine. Coming from a Saab you should understand that european cars last forever if they are maintained, otherwise they can be a pain in the ass. Nice thing is this web site, good info, check out the tech section, I fixed my window problem in 30mins and with no cost just by checking this website. Also the resource area is great to shop for parts and upgrades. | ||
| Bill K (Bill_k) Member Username: Bill_k Post Number: 178 Registered: 08-2002 |
I've got a 95 with 149,000 miles. So far on that list I recently replaced my alternator for $285 + my labor. And thats all (from the list). | ||
| Shawn McKenzie (Shawn) Member Username: Shawn Post Number: 78 Registered: 10-2002 |
I'm the second owner of a '96 with 100,000 miles. Nothing on that list has been done. Magnecor wires and NGK plugs provided a good seat of the pants improvement though... Just do it! | ||
| Chris Browne (Chris_browne) Member Username: Chris_browne Post Number: 182 Registered: 02-2003 |
First with 129k. Radiator, starter and several hoses.. All I'd do is drive it for a couple of thou and decide what if anything needs help. eg Shocks | ||
| Dean Waters (Muddy) New Member Username: Muddy Post Number: 2 Registered: 06-2003 |
I do hope there's nothing wrong with the manual..my 94 3 door is one and gearbox/shifting feels like new. | ||
| Patrick Hatcher (Pathatcher) New Member Username: Pathatcher Post Number: 7 Registered: 12-2002 |
Had dealer replace gaskets on: Oil Pan, Differential, Valve Covers, and a couple of other places I've probably forgotten: $3300 However, I bought insurance and my out of pocket cost was $200. |
