By Chris Dillard (Cdillard) on Thursday, April 12, 2001 - 01:36 am: Edit

Just wondered if anyone had replaced their Disco thermostat. The temp gauge on my 95 (120k miles) seems to be reading a little low lately and with the onset of summer weather I am a little worried that the thermostat may be stuck in the open position. I'm looking to replace it but wasn't sure of the specifics of replacement, or if I really even needed to at this point. Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris

By bryan on Thursday, April 12, 2001 - 02:47 am: Edit

I just replaced my thermostat about 6 weeks ago. I have a 97 with about 67K miles. Since I just had the 60K service done a week before my thermostat went, the dealer replaced it with no charge for labor. The part was about $18.00. I had the same symptoms only it was the cold of winter. The temp gauge would fluctuate between the middle (normal) and the C (bottom) -- hovering more around the bottom area. After the thermostat was changed everything is fine. Yours is stuck open which I believe is better than being stuck closed (in the winter). For the summer, the opposite might be true.

By the way, have you had any major problems getting to 120K miles. I am at 67K and very annoyed lately -- looking at other vehicles (LR enthusiasts please forgive) as I have reached beyond my level of patience/tolerance

By Chris Dillard (Cdillard) on Thursday, April 12, 2001 - 03:21 am: Edit

Bryan,
My 95 I have had for many years and have had no MAJOR prolems (knock on wood!) I did replace the cam button at about 85K miles but, other than that, I have done no other major,(other than routine things like brakes, bearings, fuilds, etc)engine repair work since. I do all the maintenace on her myself and try to follow the factory schedule as closely as possible. She still runs great even after 120K and a LOT of off-roading and a few mods.

By Jake on Thursday, April 12, 2001 - 03:46 am: Edit

220K here and still going! NO major repairs; engine, tranny and tcase still great. 94 DI

By bryan on Thursday, April 12, 2001 - 04:13 am: Edit

As someone has said before, behold the golden child -- in this case children.

I think both Jake and Chris are the exception rather than rule. I just dropped about $1400 on new brakes/rotors (needed for inspection supposedly). Dealer sales are slow so I get hit with "needed maintenance"!!! I have a difficult time trusting the vehicle given its past performance. I have had just about every orifice corrected for leaks and still the beast can't hold fluid -- Land Rover's answer to eliminating fluid contamination -- maintain positive pressure to force out fluid from the system.

By Ron on Thursday, April 12, 2001 - 04:47 am: Edit

Well,
Your first problem is that you take it to the dealer. 1400 for brakes and rotors probably could have been solved with 50 brake pads changed on time.

Leaks are LR way of letting you know it is not empty.

Ron

PS if you are the dealer going type get an extended warantee.

By bryan on Thursday, April 12, 2001 - 04:50 am: Edit

I looked into it -- very expensive (I think).

About 3300 for 3year/36K since I have 67K on it already.

Maybe it is worth it I don't know. But brakes/rotors would not be covered and neither would a 60K maintenance.

Thanks

By Joshua Bova (Jbova) on Thursday, April 12, 2001 - 05:17 am: Edit

You can find a warranty for a lot cheaper then that, I got a 3/36 Bumper to Bumper for around $1300, covers damn near everything. $50 per occurance deductible. They only cover up to $65 per hour but still takes quite a bit of the sting out.

P.S.
About the thermostat: Very easy to change, I set uo shop replaced it, took it for a test drive and cleaned up my tools in less then an hour.

Also it is always better to have it stuck open. If it is stuck closed, your engine will overheat regardless of what season.

By bryan on Thursday, April 12, 2001 - 06:26 am: Edit

Joshua,

Where did you get your warranty from?

By Tom Proctor on Thursday, April 12, 2001 - 08:20 am: Edit

Bryan,

Put the $3300 in the bank and learn to work on your Rover. We are all supporting you when we say this, so don't take offense. When *you* work on *your* Rover, things get done in a much better light. For example:
- all those oil/fluid leaks CAN be sealed!
- *you* can do the 60k service for $200-$300!

Use this board, join a local club, and ask for help on the tough jobs. You wallet will thank you in the end...

Tom Proctor
96 Disco

By garrett on Thursday, April 12, 2001 - 08:29 am: Edit

Yeah......$3300 is steep for a warranty. Try www.roverguy.com or Auto Advantage.....you will want to talk to Hal Moses. That is where I got mine for my '96 Disco with 45,000. Got a 4 year/42,000 for $1700. Bryan is right that trying to do most of the work yourself will save you a bundle too. Stay away from most LR dealers......you will pay out the *** for it. Learn to do as much as you can. You will hopefully soon learn to enjoy doing so. But do try and stick with genuine parts for the most part. Not worth paying $5 less for an aftermarker v-belt and things like that.

By Rayy on Thursday, April 12, 2001 - 09:58 am: Edit

Leaks are no big deal if they aren't pouring out (then fix, but having said that and having owned Brit stuff all my life, well... they leak)! Don't worry about it too much. Usually it is cheaper to fill than fix on some leaks and it gets you checking out your truck more often; that way you might see a real problem. Guys are right though STAY AWAY FROM DEALER SERVICE UNLESS IT'S UNDER WARRANTY!!!!!! Buy genuine parts and do it yourself or get a trusted mechanic. These things aren't spaceships, so most COMPETENT mechanics can service them.

By Petey on Thursday, April 12, 2001 - 10:03 am: Edit

Bryan;

How many Discos brake jobs did you pay for with that $1400.00? That was waaayyy too much!

By Joshua Bova (Jbova) on Thursday, April 12, 2001 - 10:57 am: Edit

Got mine through the dealer I bought it from (non LR dealer) There is a guy that sells them I have seen his site before, had a lot of different options.

I agree with Garrett's comments, I do my own work but bought the warranty for anything big that might go wrong. Also, my grandfather runs a garage, so if something that is covered by the warranty breaks I fix it and bill the warranty company through the shop. They pay for the parts and I make $65 an hour to work on my own truck. Not too shabby, and not illegal. A slight conflict of interest, but I won't charge them unless the part is really broken, and they still retain the right to inspect the truck prior to repairs so if I replace it, it better be broken.

Rayy is right, there is a stigma surrounding Land Rovers as something that most mechanics can't do, but in reality this is one of the easiest trucks I have ever worked on. Piece of cake. Just get a couple of books, and if you get stuck, ask a question out here. Chances are that if it can go wrong with a disco someone here has dealt with it and can advise you.

Good Luck, and stock up on oil.

-josh

By Bruce on Friday, April 13, 2001 - 12:46 pm: Edit

I agree with Tom and Josh. I bought an ext. warranty with Hal also to cover large problems. Other than that, I do my own work simply because when problems arise in the middle of BFE, I have a better chance to diagnose and repair. Also, to help others that have problems in BFE. Plus, I like wrenching on the Disco. It is really cathartic to repair/maintain, at least for me anyway.
I bought for $1500 3ry/30K platinum level, @ 40K miles.