Discovery II powertrain

So, if one ignored broken sunroof motors. Seat heaters that don't... Door locks that won't... And sundry nuisance malfunctions that don't affect the ability to get from here to there, what are the common failure points.

Seems like HG are common. Is this really a $2,000 job at an independent garage? Have most of them been repaired by ~125,000 miles? Front drive shaft is easy (for me) fix.

I hear they're bulletproof aside from this but is "this" a matter of WHEN not IF?

If you've loved Landies since childhood but didnt have the capabilities or money for a HG repair (but the other repairs like front DS are doable) would you just buy a Suburban and keep dreaming?

IIRC we paid around $1700 to have the head gaskets done on my wife's Range Rover. According to our local Landy specialist, they all see to start leaking between about 90k and 120k, so you really need to verify that they've been done or budget for the work.

Oh, and keep in mind the thermostat fails closed - if you notice the engine temp climbing, pull over and call AAA.

I don't love the prospect of spending a large portion if the purchase price on a repair!

I like the idea of a SBC/SBF and complete drivetrain swap into these vehicles. Don't know if it's actually feasible but I can't imagine why not.

So what is the problems with the Disco Head gaskets? Bad parts? Loss of head bolt torque? What?

(Just curious)

Rog

From my time with them the disco head problems were usually related to sticking valves in the 4.0 motors. Not really any harder to work on than most trucks, but it's wise to have a few good parts suppliers.

SBC can be swapped in with the correct adapter, but causes a few other minor issues which doesn't make as cost effective "upgrade". Most will find a 4.6 rover motor or a 5.2.

I miss mine. Rust was my big concern with it. If I could find a rust free one again, I might be tempted.

I have been driving my 2003 for the past month. Having done 3000 miles on it in that time. I can chime in on what I have learned.

HG repair seems to stem from dropping liners. Do -NOT- let these trucks overhead. One guy reported being able to pull the liners out of a block by hand at about 150 degree C... that's about 300ish F. Ok under normal driving, but if you let it overhead, it's all over.

The 4.6 seems to have issues with a misaligned down on the oilpump housing. The factory forced these engines together against that dowl and it eats the oilpump. Some reports have engines running with cracked oilpump gears from the stress. Once I get my saab back on the road, I will be pulling the Oilpump on mine to take a peek.

mine has 73000 miles on it. I have towed my boat (3200 pounds plus 1000 pounds of trailer) out of the catskills down to Atlantic City without a hiccup. The only issues it has is a noisy airpump (runs the first minute to fire off the Cat) and a non-working passenger door lock.. The rest are a few cosmetic issues from previous owner abuse.

I have found it handles surprisingly well, it is very balanced and almost nimble in how it holds the road (mine does not have the rear air suspension) Unlike most SUVs, it is not nose heavy at all.

I personally never thought I would like an SUV. This one has changed my mind. It is expensive to run due to it's 17mpg thirst (which is more than most people seem to get) and some of the ergonomics are complete Rubbish, but mine has proven to be a very sturdy, hard working, and reliable truck thus far

OK, let me get this straight. A "bulletproof" vehicle is one where nothing works and the head gaskets pop on schedule?

Is anyone else thinking the same thing I am?

sachilles wrote: SBC can be swapped in with the correct adapter, but causes a few other minor issues which doesn't make as cost effective "upgrade". Most will find a 4.6 rover motor or a 5.2.

IIRC the "minor" issues with the SBC swap might have something to do with the torque lunching the transfer box, but that might be an old wives tale.

I'm soooo glad I bought a Ford for this type of vehicle.

I never claimed they were bulletproof. I just said mine has been hardworking and reliable.

If I wanted to do an engine swap, it would probably be with the Chevy 4800 Gen4 engine, basically the smallest of the LSx engines.

Bobzilla wrote: OK, let me get this straight. A "bulletproof" vehicle is one where nothing works and the head gaskets pop on schedule? Is anyone else thinking the same thing I am?

Ha! Good observation!

I know there are tons of vehicles with a known "Achilles heel" and head gaskets are this ones'... And front drive shafts and, and, and...

I'm "afraid" that an early 2000 Suburban will fit my mechanical abilities better... That is if I can trust the 4L60 trans...

Right now we have a 4.6 Disco w/ 140,000mi. in the shop from out of town with blown head gaskets that had new head gaskets put in 5 days ago back where they are from; looks like improper tightening and generally shoddy (glue holding the intake manifold in place!) work to me.

So far, it's been an easy job; it only took us 4 hours to get the heads off so now we're just waiting for parts. The book says 19 hours but it seems like it will take us 10-12. If you go by the book $2,000 seems about right.

It will be interesting to see who ends up paying for this. The shop that did it really did a E36 M3y job but have an outstanding reputation from what I've read online.

Mmadness wrote: It will be interesting to see who ends up paying for this. The shop that did it really did a E36 M3y job but have an outstanding reputation from what I've read online.

If you read it on teh Intr4w3bz, y0, it must be true.

Bobzilla wrote: OK, let me get this straight. A "bulletproof" vehicle is one where nothing works and the head gaskets pop on schedule? Is anyone else thinking the same thing I am?

Working to English quality standards here, keep that in mind.