Disco 3: Are they that much of a nightmare to own??

And can someone tell me where the dipstick is on that engine. Looked for it in all the usual places in an effort to check the condition of the oil and just couldn't find the freakin thing.... So where to look?

from what I was reading the other day. its possibly electronic.
I.e. theres a warning light or dial/gauge to let you know the level.

ifloochies said:

And can someone tell me where the dipstick is on that engine. Looked for it in all the usual places in an effort to check the condition of the oil and just couldn't find the freakin thing.... So where to look?

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Not sure , but put your glasses on ,as apperntly they are hard to read and give miss readings due to oil going up the tube .

As for the Toyota I think your find that its much an electrical mystery as with most modern cars .

xat44 said:

from what I was reading the other day. its possibly electronic.
I.e. theres a warning light or dial/gauge to let you know the level.

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Low warning still a dipstick tho

Cannot get clean dipstick read - Land Rover Forums - Land Rover Enthusiast Forum

Wonder what you went for in the end?

Personally I would have gone for it considering that the niggles should have been ironed out by your company during their ownership of the DIII

Hello folks, sorry for not checking in for so long.
I was shipped away for a few days to go deal with this

that had done this



What used to be a piston

What used to be cylinder head.
All this as a result of a sticking fuel injector.

Anyway, I did place a bid for the disco before leaving; the only bid from what I've been told ... So I'm guessing that means I own it now,(soon to find out on Monday)
From what I gather, all the other vehicles, including a tata pickup were swept up whiles there was only my one bid for the disco and zero bids for an L322 range rover. Hmmmm, I wonder why

My best mate bought one an hse on an 05 plate full service history etc after we'd looked at a few only issues he's had was a front air bag after we took it on the plain (Salisbury ) and the hand brake stuck on but that's an easy fix , it's a lovely drive and and very comfortable ride if yours has been looked after by your company don't think you'll be sorry you bought it .

scotchgit said:

My best mate bought one an hse on an 05 plate full service history etc after we'd looked at a few only issues he's had was a front air bag after we took it on the plain (Salisbury ) and the hand brake stuck on but that's an easy fix , it's a lovely drive and and very comfortable ride if yours has been looked after by your company don't think you'll be sorry you bought it .

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I certainly hope not... I'll keep you all updated after I pick it up tomorrow

So here it is...

Been sat there for 4+ months... In a few hours, all formalities will be done with and hopefully I can go give it a good wash and take it home.:cool2:

You can see that range rover that doesn't have a home to go to sat next to it. Hmmmm, I wonder why 17 people chose toyota land cruisers and hiluxes over land rovers :scratching_chin:...

Oops... stumbled across this one a bit late, but, looks like you made the right descision. I can't see your pics as i'm at work ,but, having had by D3 for 7 months and 23 days now (fyi, never buy a car on the 31st of a month, it screws you over on tax) I can honestly say they are great vehicles.

Yes, they have some issues, but, find me a Land Rover which doesn't - or - any other modern jap crap which you can work on and do everything a Land Rover will do...
Yes, it is more complex, but, all cars are getting more complex, it just means the home mechanic needs to step up a gear to do things on it. I was chatting to someone (think it might have been someone from here) who was saying things like body off (well up) is really not that big a job, people just get scared because it sounds complex. When I had my cambelts done the mechanics did it with body on, it was tight and they swore a lot, but, it didn't need the body off like LR state.

Parts are not badly priced, the 4x4 parts dealers are starting to get more and more D3 and D4 parts in now, as more people do stuff themselves. Get yourself on Disco3.co.uk - they have a huge wealth of knowledge on there and there seems to be someone who has tackled every job you could think of.

I'm about to do all the Discs, pads and wheel bearings in prep. for Morocco - front bearings are same as D2 - change the whole hub, rear it's a press job.

Very nice hooe you enjoy it
And that it serves you well....

It has to be said that this is probably one of the best cars that's ever rolled out of Solihull. I'm just loving the way it cruises effortlessly and irons out some of those rumble strips that always seem to upset the disco 2. This creepy e-park brake is going to take some getting used to though because I keep reaching for a lever whenever I park... Thinking of having a full service before embarking on 300+ road trip road on the weekend with the family. I suppose its best to leave the autobox out of that service, right?

Is the l322 still for sale ?

ianb4310 said:

Is the l322 still for sale ?

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As has often been done with previous auctions with the company, the vehicles are first auctioned internally after which any remaining vehicles or disused equipment are given out to a third-party organization that sells them out to the general public. That l322 will most likely be detailed and sitting in a dealer's lot somewhere or on someone's driveway by now.

ifloochies said:

It has to be said that this is probably one of the best cars that's ever rolled out of Solihull. I'm just loving the way it cruises effortlessly and irons out some of those rumble strips that always seem to upset the disco 2. This creepy e-park brake is going to take some getting used to though because I keep reaching for a lever whenever I park... Thinking of having a full service before embarking on 300+ road trip road on the weekend with the family. I suppose its best to leave the autobox out of that service, right?

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I wouildn't worry about a 300 mile trip... I do 500 + a week in mine without any concerns. (other than if the c/c will be accepted or delcined at the fuel station )

The problem with the elec. hand brake - other than them failing and locking on, is, you get so used to it you try and drive off in "normal" cars with the hand brake still on.

Oh, or get in something like a new F2 which also has an electric hand brake, but, it doesn't auto come on when you park... yet it does on the D3.
Simiarily on the F2 the rear and front wind screen washer controls are the other way round. WHY?!!! Haven't Land Rover heard of standardisation across their own vehicles?!

So whats the remedy for a stuck on handbrake? And are there any preventative measures?

LeadFarmer said:

So whats the remedy for a stuck on handbrake? And are there any preventative measures?

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If it happens, lift up the plastic behind the hand brake switch and you'll see a cable. In the jacking kit is a hooked tool, use this to yank up the cable. This will release the hand brake. (may take a few attempts, probably worth researching it a bit first, i believe it is a single use thing and will need repairing after, but, may be wrong)

Before it fails i've been told you hear a "funny sound" when applying the hand brake - if you get this, pull the fuse on the hand brake till you can get it checked out by a garage.

Not heard of any other preventative measures though

Bump said:

If it happens, lift up the plastic behind the hand brake switch and you'll see a cable. In the jacking kit is a hooked tool, use this to yank up the cable. This will release the hand brake. (may take a few attempts, probably worth researching it a bit first, i believe it is a single use thing and will need repairing after, but, may be wrong)

Before it fails i've been told you hear a "funny sound" when applying the hand brake - if you get this, pull the fuse on the hand brake till you can get it checked out by a garage.

Not heard of any other preventative measures though

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Very valuable piece of information. Going to start by looking for that tool and confirming the location of said fuse... better safe than sorry.

ifloochies said:

Very valuable piece of information. Going to start by looking for that tool and confirming the location of said fuse... better safe than sorry.

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tool should be in the drivers side cubby box in the boot in the bag with the jack and wheel nut spanner thing.
Worth doing a quick Google on it or i'll post a link later, it's just things i've picked up but not looked at in detail.

Think it was Ratty who was telling me about the noise before breaking and to pull the fuse.

ifloochies said:

It has to be said that this is probably one of the best cars that's ever rolled out of Solihull. I'm just loving the way it cruises effortlessly and irons out some of those rumble strips that always seem to upset the disco 2. This creepy e-park brake is going to take some getting used to though because I keep reaching for a lever whenever I park... Thinking of having a full service before embarking on 300+ road trip road on the weekend with the family. I suppose its best to leave the autobox out of that service, right?

Click to expand...

When I put a new torque converter in mine, while it was in bits I fitted a bmw x5 steel sump to the gearbox so the filter can be changed. Funny how lr say a heavy working 4x4's auto box is sealed for life but bmw in a overweight road car suggest gearbox oil every 60k miles
Its also worth doing the oil and having it checked for glycol contamination(from the oil cooler /rad interface leaking) as this kills the clutch packs