Disco TD5

Good moaning!

Im after a little advise on what to look for on a disco TD5 its an oldish one 2001 on a y plate.

i'm nipping to have a look later its a TD5 auto ES

Making the plung and finally getting rid of the tractor (defender) which has just sailed throu its mot (sad day)

Need more seats now as the new child arriving early novemeber

The Cowshed said:

Good moaning!

Im after a little advise on what to look for on a disco TD5 its an oldish one 2001 on a y plate.

i'm nipping to have a look later its a TD5 auto ES

Making the plunge and finally getting rid of the tractor (defender) which has just sailed through its mot (sad day)

Need more seats now as the new child arriving early November

Click to expand...

Here's a list of at least some of the things to look out for, on a TD5 auto:

1. First and foremost - rust on the rear half of the chassis. There are increasing reports of the rear end of these chassis turning to brown lace - check very carefully.

2. Rust on the bodywork isn't normally an issue except for at the base of the black window surrounds and just above the front windscreen.

3. Re central locking - check that all 5 doors lock and unlock correctly. Sometimes the rear passenger door locks can be sluggish.

4. If it has air-con: check that the air-con electric fan DOES NOT turn on as soon as you start the engine. If if does, it means that the engine has got a bit hot at some time and you need an LR specific diagnostic tool to reinstate it to normal operation.

5. Following on from No.4 - check the level of coolant in the header tank. With a cool engine it should be just below the level of the seam.The coolant should be pink in colour. Also check for bubbles coming through the coolant, in the header tank.

6. If it has air suspension on the rear end - check for correct operation by starting the car from outside via the drivers open window (with all doors and bonnet closed!!) and watch the rear end. Now press the ORM (Off Road Mode) button and watch how quickly the rear end jacks up - it should go up by 2" within about 20 seconds.

7. Re the auto box - check for general smoothness of gear changes plus unpleasant vibration between 2100 and 2500 rpm. Also check the Torque Converter lock-up function works in both 3 and drive. On a medium throttle it should happen at 48-50mph in 3 and approx 55mph in D. It should feel like another gear has been selected.

8. Re the engine - check for leaks of coolant (pink stains), pas fluid (red stuff), engine oil. Check the level on the dipstick - if it is a clear liquid, smells of diesel and above the upper level there is a chance that diesel is leaking into the sump - this is a very bad thing if allowed to continue and cost ruin the engine.

Well that's probably enough to scare the bejaibers out of you !! TD5's are good cars and can be made to be great cars with a few simple modifications to the engine and gearbox. Just be careful and don't pay too much !!!

Good luck

Dave

Thanks for that big lad ive printed you rec's off to take with me.

Its had the head gasket done, head skimmed and gasket changed got receipt to prove.
Its on 96k with full service history so hopefully all the niggles and the midlife crisis stuff had been changed and sorted...

Keep you posted and thanks again for taking the time to help

Read this carefully http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/1344746-post9.html

Well am now the proud owner of Discovery 2 TD5.... (Fook me its big compared to my old defender).

Right now to fix the problems ive found.

Head light conversion - Wiring been taped together

Ive noticed its got diferent tyres on the front and back - is this bad?
Going to swap for a set of AT's at some stage.

Vibration at 70mph like a wheel balance problem could this be because of the different tyres front to rear? Differnet tread patterns. Or is it something more sinister like the auto box?

Brake issue vibration and wobble on braking hard ish - discs and pads needed i think.

Thats about all i can find wrong at the mo, so not bad for 10 year old landy.

The Cowshed said:

Well am now the proud owner of Discovery 2 TD5.... (Fook me its big compared to my old defender).

Right now to fix the problems ive found.

Head light conversion - Wiring been taped together

Ive noticed its got diferent tyres on the front and back - is this bad?
Going to swap for a set of AT's at some stage.

Vibration at 70mph like a wheel balance problem could this be because of the different tyres front to rear? Differnet tread patterns. - Yes, or the balance as well... or front UJ

Brake issue vibration and wobble on braking hard ish - discs and pads needed i think. - especially discs

Thats about all i can find wrong at the mo, so not too bad for a 10 year landy.

Click to expand...

my comments are blue ... if these are the only probs u dont have to worry

The Cowshed said:

Well am now the proud owner of Discovery 2 TD5.... (Fook me its big compared to my old defender).

Right now to fix the problems ive found.

Head light conversion - Wiring been taped together

Ive noticed its got different tyres on the front and back - is this bad?
Going to swap for a set of AT's at some stage. It's not ideal.

Vibration at 70mph like a wheel balance problem could this be because of the different tyres front to rear? Different tread patterns. Or is it something more sinister like the auto box? Check your prop U/j's very carefully plus the doughnut on the rear prop.

Brake issue vibration and wobble on braking hard ish - discs and pads needed i think. The good news is that doing discs and pads on a D2 is a very easy and cheap job

Thats about all i can find wrong at the mo, so not bad for 10 year old landy.

Click to expand...

Observations in red.

Dave

Thanks dave i shall be busy this weekend
uj's look fine no play ect..
Not sure what to look for on the doughnut but i'll have a check for play ect...
Thanks again for taking your time to help a discovery novice...

The Cowshed said:

Thanks dave i shall be busy this weekend
uj's look fine no play ect..
Not sure what to look for on the doughnut but i'll have a check for play ect...
Thanks again for taking your time to help a discovery novice...

Click to expand...

On the rubber doughnut you are looking out for perishing of the rubber - cracks etc when you bend it.