| Author | Message | ||
     Erik G. Burrows (Erik) Senior Member Username: Erik Post Number: 286 Registered: 04-2002 |
So my 70,000 mile, 3 yeard old Disco 2 has blown it's second engine. No, I didn't overheat it, no, I didn't let it run old oil. No, I didn't do anything else bad to it. The mechanic says that coolant worked it's way into cylinder #4, past the cylinder liner. This is the same thing that happened to engine #1, which was replaced under warrantee. So, my question to all of you, like it was to my mechanic (who didn't know) is: Why is this happening? Is this a fluke? Or do Disco2 engines last only 30-50k miles? | ||
| Ryan Roundy (Rrefxut) New Member Username: Rrefxut Post Number: 5 Registered: 12-2003 |
I feel you rpain Eric, I've also had engine troubles, but from what I can gather, they are pretty reliable, especially the disco 2's, I've still got faith in mine, adn wish you the best of luck | ||
| J E Robison Service Co (Robisonservice) Member Username: Robisonservice Post Number: 121 Registered: 10-2002 |
There was a design problem with the Disco II engine blocks. That's why Land Rover sells new ones for $1,300. Hopefully the new engine won't do that too. | ||
| Erik G. Burrows (Erik) Senior Member Username: Erik Post Number: 287 Registered: 04-2002 |
The new 49-state short block is just under $1500, pretty good in my oppinion. I was expecting $2k. I just went down there to verify. Yep, one extra clean cylinder. At least the valves are clean. (I brought it in for a valve job.) The mechanic (Brittish 4x4 in Mission Viejo) says that the likely problem was that coolant seeped past a thin part of the block, and came in contact with the steel cylinder liner, causing the corosion that eventually caused the failure. I'm hoping that since 2001 (engine #2) Land Rover has fixed the flaw in the block, but my faith is waning. | ||
| David Huddleson (Dhuddleson) New Member Username: Dhuddleson Post Number: 9 Registered: 09-2003 |
Happy New Year! In regards to Mr. Robison's comment about "design problem with Disco II engine blocks", I wonder who can elaborate on this... There do seem to be a good supply of affordable new Rover 4.0 shortblocks (S88D series blocks), and I saw one at our local dealership a few weeks ago. That one had a problem right out of the crate, with the "frost plug" at the back side of the camshaft pushed in too far. The cam could not go all the way in! Dealer was simply going to return the shortblock and order a replacement. So... what other scary things might be found on these "bargain" shortblocks??? Anything worth avoiding these altogether? | ||
| Will Tillery (Will) Member Username: Will Post Number: 245 Registered: 11-2002 |
Dave, We have been selling these short blocks for 1150.00 shipped over the last year and not one has produced a complaint. I do however look em over well. We found one had some chips in it and another had a similar issue to yours. They were Friday afternooners I assume. Will | ||
| Mike M (Rangeroverhp) Member Username: Rangeroverhp Post Number: 148 Registered: 09-2003 |
Same here. Been selling them for three years. Been modifying them too. You would think with cams, head work, fueling, etc, I would have seen it. No issues. Same price. Seen plenty of issues with original DII blocks. None with the new blocks. Same with new 4.6 blocks. No issues. | ||
| Erik G. Burrows (Erik) Senior Member Username: Erik Post Number: 289 Registered: 04-2002 |
Good to hear. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the new block. If this engine makes it past 50,000 miles, I'll pronounce it healthy. If it dies in 40k, I'll drive it off a cliff. | ||
| Victor (Vabiro) Member Username: Vabiro Post Number: 103 Registered: 10-2003 |
Hi, I have a question regarding the unevenness of the failures overall, but the number that seem to happen to individuals like Erik. I understand there are certain kinds of coolant that should be used in mixed aluminium/steel engines. What would be the outcome of using the wrong fluids? Could it have the effect that Erik has experienced with these two engines? Victor | ||
| Matt Anderson (Disco01) Member Username: Disco01 Post Number: 92 Registered: 10-2003 |
This is interesting. My brother just purchased a 2002 Range Rover from a buddy, with mileage right at about 50k. It is on its 3rd engine, the first two had the same problems with the coolant described above. First one went out at 25K, noticed coolant during 30K service in second one. It has been fine since, but I think it is odd that some people who have had this happen once have had it happen again, while the rest of us dont have it at all. The Bosch motors use the pink Dexcool coolant, and should be mixed precisely, but the consequences of not doing this I would assume would be corrosion. However, I have never seen the pink stuff that is not premixed, so if someone (mechanic, owner) mixed the already mixed coolant with more water there might be trouble. And, if a short block was put in but the coolant was not completely flushed then the new block would fail in short order. Possible? Matt | ||
| Ron Brown (Ron) Senior Member Username: Ron Post Number: 657 Registered: 04-2001 |
I don't think it is coolant as DI 4.0 blocks are the same and they use green. Ron | ||
| Matt Anderson (Disco01) Member Username: Disco01 Post Number: 94 Registered: 10-2003 |
Ron, I know this, I used to have one. It seems this problem is only with the Bosch engines (99 and later 4.0 and 4.6). Basically Dexcool is dextrol coolant, and is supposed to be superior and last longer, but usually it does not. A quick research turns up that it is linked with lots of engine damage such as basically eating through gaskets, eroding water pumps, and clogging and damaging radiators. Additionally, it does not contain silicate, which protects against corrosion of aluminum (how wonderful this is used in an aluminum block) in the green stuff. There are a lot of lawsuits over this. Of course, if this same problem happens to pre 99 vehicles then my theory sucks. Matt | ||
| Victor (Vabiro) Member Username: Vabiro Post Number: 104 Registered: 10-2003 |
Hi, I was talking to my mechanic about the reputation Land Rovers have for poor reliability, and asked him where he thought this originated. He told me the story of how he was working for Land Rover in the mid-90s when the Discovery was first brought to Canada. He said that LRCanada had expected to sell only a few hundred trucks in its first year, but was instead overwelmed by more than 1200 orders. As a result they had to divert some units from the already established Austrailian market to Canada. The Discos were modified in Halifax from RHD to LHD and sent on to the dealers for delivery to the eager customers. All went well until Canada started to enter winter. Apparently someone over-looked the coolant that was already in the vehicle for the significantly milder Austrailian cliamate. As a result as the climate cooled in each city to well below freezing the engines began to fail. I tell this story just as an interesting asside, and that I think the unevenness of the failures really reak of dealer practices, even specific mechanics at each dealer doing different things at the servicing or when the vehicle is brought to NA. Then again, maybe it's as simple as how bad the guy in Salisbury's hangover is. Just my $0.02 Victor | ||
| Erik G. Burrows (Erik) Senior Member Username: Erik Post Number: 290 Registered: 04-2002 |
If dexcool could be fully or partially responsible for this problem, I'd like to know now, so engine #3 never sees it. What are the cons of going back to the 'green stuff'? | ||
| BJ Turner (Wturner) Member Username: Wturner Post Number: 234 Registered: 02-2002 |
Erik, call Mohamed at EuroParts 800-274-4830 He has crazy low prices. I got a 4.0 short block last march for $1100. | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 627 Registered: 05-2003 |
BJ, Where have you been??? I have been wunduring what happened to you!! I couldn't resist, I just checked your profile pic to make sure that your nifty hood ornament is still intact!!  Jamie | ||
| OLIVER CLOTHSOFF (Everythingleaks) Senior Member Username: Everythingleaks Post Number: 334 Registered: 10-2002 |
Instead of the green coolant what about the blue coolant like most of the german manufactures use? It is designed for aluminum engines and doesn't seem to eat up components as bad. I know Audi only used OAT (dexcool) for about 2 years due to gasket/hose issues and switched to the blue coolant. Anyone have any more info? | ||
| Erik G. Burrows (Erik) Senior Member Username: Erik Post Number: 291 Registered: 04-2002 |
Well, for just $4000, Brittish 4x4 in Mission Viejo, Ca did a great job replacing the engine. And in just three working days (over a holidy!). It's been about 100 miles, and no problems whatsoever. Still interested in oppinions about coolants: orange vs. green vs. blue | ||
| eric johnson (Eric2) Member Username: Eric2 Post Number: 197 Registered: 05-2003 |
There is an independant parts shop, with an excellent reputation near me. They also have a department that rebuilds heads. The mechanic says "Do Not use Dexcool". Among other things, it doesn't lube the water pump as well as the green coolant and this leads to water pump failures. | ||
| Paul D. Morgan (V22guy) Dweb Lounge Member Username: V22guy Post Number: 2325 Registered: 02-2002 |
I to have enjoyed engine fun with my D2. I first reported it last May. But it took 5 months of bitching and complaining to get it fixed. Just before my engine did get swapped out, it was consuming up to 1.5 quarts every 1000 miles. Unbelievable! But LR did finally honor their warranty and installed a new long block. 4 days after the install, I drove the Pig on a 1000 mile round trip to Georgia and back (SAE) and no oil was consumed at all. Funny thing, when I asked what was wrong with the old block; the reply was; "Your skid plate is blocking airflow causing the engine to run hot." Nothing but pure bullshit. The wife was hell bent for a Rover product before all of this went down. Then she decided that we only need one maintenance whore. So we bought an '04 4Runner. | ||
| gp (Garrett) Senior Member Username: Garrett Post Number: 2392 Registered: 10-2001 |
i am assuming my suggestion of a nice Suzuki Grand Vagina did not win out!!! oh well. hope she enjoys the 4Runner. seem pretty nice actually for an all around SUV. then again my daily driver will soon be a '80 Rover SD1. | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 591 Registered: 06-2002 |
Paul, these are the same reasons why my husband is backing away slowly from a new Rover and walking (quickly) towards the new F150!!! I'm so sad that we may not be an all Rover family...but with our closest dealer almost 2.5 hours away...it's tough to imagine a car that needs to be in the shop. I'm sticking with my 95...seems to be the best year!! Good luck Erik with #3!!! | ||
| Greg Davis (Gregdavis) Senior Member Username: Gregdavis Post Number: 1115 Registered: 08-2002 |
So, any answers about switching coolant? I'm at 68K with no problems, but I want to use the best coolant. Blue, green, or pink? | ||
| Chris Browne (Chris_browne) Senior Member Username: Chris_browne Post Number: 534 Registered: 02-2003 |
GP Sd1s are awesome machines...always were always will be..... Suzuki Viagra....... | ||
| gp (Garrett) Senior Member Username: Garrett Post Number: 2393 Registered: 10-2001 |
i prefer a deep purple Greg. new F150 Sus? come on. i mean i like Ford trucks and all, but was a bit disappointed with the new series. look like a big Ford Explorer. go with nice 2000 F250 Super Duty extended cab. | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 592 Registered: 06-2002 |
Have you driven it GP? Or ridden in it?! It's AWESOME.....ok, not as rough and ready as the older ones, but I liked it. He wants the FX4 because it's got the stiffer shocks, limited slip diff, etc. He might just get an XLT and put better components on it later. I still say the Disco can do more, but hey, it's a Ford. He's been a Ford man his entire life and so is his family. His Dad has a 2000 F250 extended bed and I HATE the way it rides. WAY too bouncy...and off-road you could break your neck from hitting the ceiling! I take my DI anyday! The supercrew (i think...the 4 door one) is GREAT with the short bed. And it would be more comfy than my Disco for long trips!!! We both hate the new Explorer though. I'll keep my DI and someday buy an 04 to add to the fleet! | ||
| Phillip Perkinson (Rover4x4) Senior Member Username: Rover4x4 Post Number: 616 Registered: 02-2003 |
Toyota Tacoma | ||
| Reid Walkenhorst (Runningmule) New Member Username: Runningmule Post Number: 22 Registered: 05-2003 |
What are the symptoms of a failing engine as you all have experienced? I have a 2000 DII, I've been happy with the engine performance, however if there are signs I am overlooking I'd sure like to know before the warranty is up. I too am curious as to alternate coolant options. I did just recently have a throttle heater gasket replaced which was leaking coolant...go figure. It's these sorts of issues that make me wonder if i'll still be enjoying my Disco 20 years from now. I plan on keeping it for a very long time. | ||
| Erik G. Burrows (Erik) Senior Member Username: Erik Post Number: 294 Registered: 04-2002 |
Both of my previous engines failed for the same reason. The second one (which was out of warranty) was allowed to develop more obvious symptoms: 1. Rough starts 2. Better after warm-up 3. Rough idle 4. Consumption of coolant 5. Overpreasurised coolant system (was still presurised the next day!) However, I never had a loss in power (over 1,000 RPMs), or decrease in milage. | ||
| gp (Garrett) Senior Member Username: Garrett Post Number: 2395 Registered: 10-2001 |
my engine was actually tossing pieces of the top compression ring up and in through the exhaust valves. crushing my spark plug once in a while too.  |
