| Author | Message | ||
     Steve Turpin (Steveturpin) New Member Username: Steveturpin Post Number: 1 Registered: 01-2004 |
This is getting rediculous...I love my Rovers despite all of the problems, but if they were more reliable, they would be fantastic. This is my second Disco, my first was a 96, and had all of the classic problems, valves, electrical, major leaks, head gaskets, ect. I traded it in on my 99 D2 that I have had since new, and carefully maintained. I am now at 70K, and have been through 2 transmissions, head gasket, valve cover gaskets, differential rebuilds, valve job, broken hood release cable, ect...now it is in the shop again due to mysterious cyl. 5 misfires which have been occuring for the last 15K or so which the dealer always solved with new plugs and wires...now it seems that I need a new block due to a suspected slipped sleeve, probably a valve job while they are at it, a new main seal due to leak, fixing a leaking transfer case...glad I got an extended warranty. These vehicles are great fun and have lots of character, but this reliability issue is a killer...I should have been a mechanic!! I know all brands have their issues, but this is insane...good thing I don't venture too far into the wilderness...might need an airlift. | ||
| Greg Davis (Gregdavis) Senior Member Username: Gregdavis Post Number: 1138 Registered: 08-2002 |
Steve, I've had the No.5 misfire for a couple of weeks. Replaced the plug wire Sunday and thought all was good. Driving home yesterday it threw the code AGAIN! It sure will test your loyalty, won't it? | ||
| Steve Turpin (Steveturpin) New Member Username: Steveturpin Post Number: 2 Registered: 01-2004 |
I hope you have better luck that me Greg...every 6 months or so, I would get #5 misfires...the shop would replace the plug and wire and it would be fine for about 5-7K then it would resurface. This went on about 3 or 4 times, then they finally suspected something else going on. Like I said, these trucks would be killer, if they could just keep running without having to replace major components along with the oil changes...you know it's bad when you are making excuses to your friends and family about why the car is in the shop, so they don't make fun of you again!! | ||
| Micky_dee (Micky_dee) Member Username: Micky_dee Post Number: 53 Registered: 11-2003 |
welcome to the wounderful world of british bullshit. maybe there are weapons of mass destruction in there. ... . anyway dont be too surprised with what you find. and by a satelite cell phone. | ||
| Brett A. Naquin (Bnaquin) Member Username: Bnaquin Post Number: 51 Registered: 09-2003 |
It’s really sad that Land Rover doesn’t focus more on reliability and quality. It would truly be the ultimate “4x4xfar” if they did. MAYBE Fords ownership will improve the product. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone knock Land Rovers for off road performance. They’re well respected in that area. It’s ALWAYS their reliability that’s attacked. I purchased my ’95 Disco in July with 117K miles and currently have 125K miles. I did the 120K service/tune-up myself, had the radiator re-cord and recently had the transmission cooler lines replaced due to leaks. I have no complaints so far. It’s preformed flawlessly and has proven very reliable (knock on aluminum). Hopefully I own the exception and won’t have the problems I’ve heard about. The previous owner was meticulous concerning the preventative maintenance so that might have something to do with it. | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 690 Registered: 06-2002 |
Brett, did you replace the trans cooler lines yourself? | ||
| Brett A. Naquin (Bnaquin) Member Username: Bnaquin Post Number: 52 Registered: 09-2003 |
Susannah - Actually I didn’t replace them myself. It didn’t look overly difficult to do but I needed to have it done before a wheeling outing and I was running out of time. I also didn’t want to deal with transmission fluid all over my garage floor. From my understanding of the job, it was only an issue of removing the old set (each hose is in three parts) and routing the new hoses into place. I was told they had to remove the front grill and one of the headlamps to finish the task. The entire job didn’t sound very technical, only a little time consuming for the weekend warrior mechanic like myself. It looks like your Disco is identical to mine (including the color). Have you replaced the oil cooler and trans cooler lines? Any other issues you’ve come across with your Disco I should look out for? Brett | ||
| Leigh Mikolajczyk (Leigh_m) New Member Username: Leigh_m Post Number: 5 Registered: 01-2004 |
What warrenty did you get? I have a 2000 DII about to go out of warrenty and I need advice on which one to purchase. Thanks for the help | ||
| Greg Davis (Gregdavis) Senior Member Username: Gregdavis Post Number: 1141 Registered: 08-2002 |
Steve, turns out my connection to the coil pack wasn't that great. Pushed it on fully, reset my codes, and all is good for now. At least you're still under warranty. I've been out for almost 20K miles now. Good luck. | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 693 Registered: 06-2002 |
Great color Brett!! I have about 82K on the clock, bought her with 59K. I haven't had to do much yet....just brakes, exhaust work, a new starter and some vacuum lines for the CC. Keeping my fingers crossed...but I do know that the trans cooler lines need replacing. Probably not something we can do at home...yet. Good luck and enjoy the truck!  I love mine! | ||
| Steve Turpin (Steveturpin) New Member Username: Steveturpin Post Number: 3 Registered: 01-2004 |
My latest warranty is from www.directservicecontracts.com ...can't say at this point whether I recommend them or not...I guess I'll know after this latest service bill!! I purchased a $3300, very comprehensive warranty from Warranty Gold prior to my latest warranty, but I found out while my car was in the shop last time, that they were not paying any claims do to their insurance underwriters bankrupcty...I am still waiting to get money back on that one, although I did get a new transmission out of it prior to the bankruptcy! Now Warranty Gold is bankrupt too...a lot of folks like me lost their policies, money and security of a warranty. I didn't feel comfortable driving my LR without a warranty, so I went out and bought another...good thing for payment plans! I have found that many extended warranty companies have stopped selling policies on Land Rovers...I wonder why!! | ||
| jan (Umsuja) New Member Username: Umsuja Post Number: 5 Registered: 01-2004 |
hi! is it the petrolcars that is the problem? how are your 300tdi vehicles? if the timingbelt is changed regulary and kit 2 installed....what's still wrong with these cars? somebody said "these trucks would be killer, if they could just keep running without having to replace major components along with the oil changes..." is it so bad? is failured vehicles hevily offroaded of just regular "city vans"? tell the rookie "the truth that is out there"... =)) | ||
| thom mathie (Muskyman) Senior Member Username: Muskyman Post Number: 579 Registered: 11-2002 |
we have no 300tdi's...most of us are in the USA from what I see most problems are street driven vehicles. ones that are driven slow and lugged around. I still say drive them like you stold them and you will have far less problems. MM | ||
| Steve Turpin (Steveturpin) New Member Username: Steveturpin Post Number: 4 Registered: 01-2004 |
My Rovers have been mostly street driven, and driven fairly hard. No babying, but anal about maintainence...and I have had major problems with both of my Discos, both I and II...at least the electrical problems that I had on my 96 were solved with the 99... | ||
| jan (Umsuja) New Member Username: Umsuja Post Number: 6 Registered: 01-2004 |
ok! cause looking to buy an -97 300tdi and when reading this, maybe its an good idea not to... =(( the on im looking has 220 000km on the clock and been as company car0 every singel service done...front diff new, rear new, gearbox (noises) done, new timing belt, new fueldistributor,new set of tires, price 12500$....after all that service i think i could be a "safe" buy....or what more "specific" problems is there what i should look for? | ||
| Stephen Hawkins (Madmole) New Member Username: Madmole Post Number: 39 Registered: 07-2003 |
He, he, Its just us Limeys geting you back Pay up the back taxes you owe us on the tea and we might send you some of the proper engines for them that work, like the TD5 | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 702 Registered: 06-2002 |
"pay up the back taxes you owe us on the tea" boy was that every disrespectful and uncalled for....IMHO! | ||
| Paul Kennington (P_kennington) Member Username: P_kennington Post Number: 56 Registered: 12-2002 |
As a Brit now living in the US I know that we (UK) owe you (US) billions of dollars after you bailed us out of WW2. Thus you deserve better than the failure ridden Rovers we send you! I am ashamed of the build quality and reliability of these vehicles- yet they are some of the very few left with 'Spirit'. If the ROW can make reliable vehicles, why can't they do it in Solihull? LR should have learned the lesson after the Land Cruiser kicked the Land Rover out of Africa in the late 60's and early 70's. I have a '96 D1 SD. I love it, but EVERY TIME I drive it something else happens. The ignition jams. It misfires. The steering column falls apart. The turn signals quit. I know we have a choice in what we drive, but this is ridiculous! I'm trying to convince my wife to let me buy a 2000 RR 4.6HSE. "Will it be more reliable than this one?" She asked. I sure hope so. Cheers, Paul. | ||
| Justin Sherfy (Jrsherfy) Member Username: Jrsherfy Post Number: 52 Registered: 08-2003 |
Paul, Since you are from England, let me get your opinion. Why do you think the Rover's build quality is so poor? I'm starting to think it's not really a design issue. It seems more to me that it is purely a quality control issue. What are your thoughts? JRS | ||
| john mac (Mcale) New Member Username: Mcale Post Number: 9 Registered: 07-2003 |
i have a 96 300tdi the only real extra i can think of is elec windows, why the rear need elec when they go less then halfway is beyond me, under the bonnet no whizz bang features either no elect diesel control and the motor keeps going no matter what even after 2 blown/warped head gaskets and why they decided on alloy heads on the diesels is to much for me, oil leaks from all the usual places including the stupid plastic vacum pump that has a cap that is riveted in place took me 2 hours to rerivet and seal it the turbo charger seals are gone, once again i'm told thats normal probably big dollars there the steering arm gets bent when wheeling 3 times time now and seems to throw out alignment i'm told i should pay up for a larger rod designed for army rovers ive replaced power steering pump water pump and can't keep the coolant in if i wasn't so busy fixing this thing i probably would be out looking for a prado, on 2nd thoughts i couldn't give the disco up for the ugliest look 4x4 iv'e seen | ||
| Paul Kennington (P_kennington) Member Username: P_kennington Post Number: 57 Registered: 12-2002 |
Justin, good question- and one I've pondered many times. I do not know for sure, but I suspect it's a combination of 'I don't care' British workers, (Slam me if you will, but they are TERRIBLE) plus design, and a lack of attention to detail. There are so many common faults with these rigs- stuff that really isn't a problem with other vehicles costing a lot less. I don't think LR does much with the feedback it gets- I see similar issues with '04s that were a problem in the 80's. Maybe it's simple complacency- a good name and rigs that sell, so they cut on things like quality control. Heck, this whole site is about how to keep the darn things running, while we get laughed at by everyone else. Anyone have thoughts? Cheers, Paul. | ||
| Boris Kokotovic (Uberhahn) New Member Username: Uberhahn Post Number: 8 Registered: 09-2003 |
i work for one of the "Big 3" in the US, as a Quality Engineer, so I feel relatively capable of answering Justin's question. It all boils down to money. Money has to be spent on design, validation, and verifying that the suppliers of the parts actually provide parts that meet the engineering specification. My job keeps me very busy dealing with supplier quality. Fortunately, the company I work for is starting to realize that a penny saved on piece cost at the expense of a quality process will only bite you in the ass eventually. I think LR was looking to save money, didn't have the people, and didn't have the processes in place to assure that a quality vehicle was built. | ||
| Knut Nerheim (Knut) New Member Username: Knut Post Number: 17 Registered: 04-2003 |
I have owned three Jeeps (two 90 Cherokees and one 86 Grand Wagoneer), a 91 Ford Explorer (Exploder), and I currently own a 97 GMC Suburban and a 97 Disco. IMO the Disco is far better than the Jeeps when it comes to reliability and it is a little better than the Suburban. It is always a gamble when you buy a used vehicle, and if the previous owner didn't take care of the vehicle, then.... | ||
| Rene Marin (Rene_m) New Member Username: Rene_m Post Number: 17 Registered: 01-2004 |
I have a first run 1994 with a 3.9 auto and power stuff i must say i love my rover has been all over with very few repairs... When i bought it i put plugs good ( non factory) wires cap rotor and brakes.. the only time it did not bring me home was when the starter went out.. I am now rolling over 130k and have been to both coasts at least twice and i live in Texas so its a long trip either way.. Look at this site these guys realy know their stuff... http://www.v8engine.com/carbs-2.htm#identify http://www.v8engine.com/carbs-Morganhotwire.htm | ||
| David Hill (Davidh) New Member Username: Davidh Post Number: 2 Registered: 11-2003 |
I have a 1991 Disco (first of the 5-doors I believe) and have had nothing but trouble since buying it 2 years ago. I must admit it wasn't in good condition when I bought it, as I was searching for so long I compromised with a cheap but nasty unit, even though it looked great! Sure it had Old Man Emu, TJM bar and a Safari snorkel already fitted but the bottom end needed rebuilding a month after purchase and still has a mysterious "diesel motor" sound to it not to mention oil consumption. I've also replaced the power steering pump, brake master cylinder, 2 track rods, 2 driveshafts, clutch, broken front inner axle, blown 2 rear diffs, 2 rear hub seals, idler bearings, viscous coupling, alternator and lots of other hoses, seals and repairs to the gearbox. Add all the usual maintenance like cleaning out radiators, flushing, topping up fluids (constantly!) and basic servicing. All up I've already spend more than what I paid initially! Family and friends will scourn you for wasting so much money on these Rovers, but you got to love them! | ||
| Justin Sherfy (Jrsherfy) Member Username: Jrsherfy Post Number: 54 Registered: 08-2003 |
Paul and Boris, Thanks for the good comments. I love my Disco, however, it has not given me any trouble at all. I know it will be frustrating when/if it has all the problems that are mentioned on this board. Maybe Ford will have a good influence on Land Rover. "Maybe" is the operative word. It would be sweet if Toyota bought them and implemented some of their quality control processes (I assume good QC is one of the reasons Toyotas are so reliable). Rene, I'm a member of the San Antonio Chapter of Texas Rovers. We go wheeling at least once a month, if not more. It's a blast. I see you're in Austin. You should check out our website if you get a chance and join us for a meeting. http://www.texasrovers.com/ JRS | ||
| Brett A. Naquin (Bnaquin) Member Username: Bnaquin Post Number: 55 Registered: 09-2003 |
You've got a good truck, Justin. I don't think you'll have the problems like some of us. Being that you bought it "almost new", you have the advantage of doing all the preventative maintenance. You'll know exactly how well that truck's been cared for. Hey, good call inviting Rene to our meeting. I actually sent him an email offline before I saw your post. If we keep this up we’ll have the largest club in the state! Brett | ||
| jan (Umsuja) New Member Username: Umsuja Post Number: 7 Registered: 01-2004 |
question remains....do i dare buy a Discovery? =)) or not??? | ||
| Steve Turpin (Steveturpin) New Member Username: Steveturpin Post Number: 10 Registered: 01-2004 |
I did all of the preventive maintenance on my two Discos, and then some...bought them brand new. Did not help in my case...but, I don't see why it would, if the parts that go into the truck are suspect. Change the oil all you want, but if you are dealing with a defective engine block or valve problems, or bad seals, ect...not going to help... |
