Discovery 1 - Stuff that needs fixing!!

Hi all.

I am a newbie land Rover Discovery 1 owner having just bought one for towing the kids motorbikes around in a trailer. Its a 1993 2.0 mpi in black and in reasonable condition for its year and I never paid a lot for it so I am quite happy with what I have got so far.

That said here is a list of some of the issues - any advice on common problem resolution appreciated. In no particular order:-

1. Drivers side inner wing and battery tray - not as bad as some that I have seen but still needs attention. Hasnt affected the headlamp box or the footwell.

2. Rear drivers side mudflap bracket - I assume these are bolt on parts.

No other rot really - the boot floor is just starting to go (I might get around to posting a picture of it) but its currently only affecting about 4 inches of the seam.

3. Common problem with the tailgate handle so I assume will need a spring and an afternoon of tortuous work.

4. No radio - hopefully I can pick one up from eBay.

5. The bumpers need taking off and tidying up as I assume they will be too expensive to buy.

6. Rear view mirror missing - temporarily replaced with a stick on one.

7. Headlamps dont seem to adjust although I can hear the motor wearing away.

8. Heated rear windscreen button has the window symbol missing.

9. Tappity noise on the engine - I assume its a lifter issue and not sure whether I should leave well alone?

10. Slight crunch going into second but only minor. Maybe a slight whine on the gearbox but since I have never driven another not sure whether this is normal.

11. A bit of a snatch when you let the clutch out - feels like it could be worn universal joint on one of the prop shafts?

12. Clutch works fine but feels very different than a car.

13. Window rubbers perished in places.

14. Roof bars paint flaking off the alloy bases.

15. Wipers could do with replacing.

16. EDIT - the key fob doesnt open the doors. Is there a reciever somewhere?

Other than that its all fine!!

Any advice that a newbie shluld be aware of? How strong is the engine likely to be (91,000)?

Cheers

Dave

16. mpi engine. needs replacing with a 200tdi

MudHunter said:

16. mpi engine. needs replacing with a 200tdi

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best thing that could be done with it! apart from a V8

and using the search function would be really usefull

V8_Disco said:

and using the search function would be really usefull

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Already have done. Lots of useful info but some of it a bit confusing for a newbie. Thats how I learned about the common issues of areas that suffer rot, the issue with the tailgate spring and divided opinion on whether its worth addressing the tappity noise.

D

dave_dunn said:

Already have done. Lots of useful info but some of it a bit confusing for a newbie. Thats how I learned about the common issues of areas that suffer rot, the issue with the tailgate spring and divided opinion on whether its worth addressing the tappity noise.

D

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most of the issues seem very minor, just get the main ones that involve the mechanics and the rust sorted first

V8_Disco said:

most of the issues seem very minor, just get the main ones that involve the mechanics and the rust sorted first

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Makese sense. The rot does seem to be relatively minor (compared to some) but it needs sorting. Tappity noise and gearbox crunch are a little annoying but not sure I want to be replacing the gearbox / engine unless I really have to!!

Check the valve clearances and adjust if necessary, see if this quietens the tappety noise.
Second gear crunch 'they all do that' slight pause in neutral should help.

Thanks Gratch.

Do all of the Discovery series have immobilisers? I am trying to get my alarm and central locking sorted out but dont want to end up with an immobilised vehicle!!

I have read many of the other threads but I cant get the key fob to resynch despite following the procedure. When I test the alarm the siren doesnt go off but the indicators do flash and there is a ticking noise under the bonnet.

Seems like there shouldnt be too much wrong with it and would be really good to fix it!!

EDIT - I found that the wires from the alarm to the horn had been disconnected so when I was doing the alarm reset I didint get a beep. I do now so I assume that the ECU etc is in working order. I have tested the alarm and it seems to work fine now. However, the key fob still sint working despite changing the battery in the fob.

Is it worth trying anything else? For example would it do any good to try disconnecting the car battery and reconnecting - a bit like a reboot?

Thanks

D
D

I guess you bought a 2.0MPi then signed onto the forum, rather than the other way round?

Most of them are minor issues but the engine tappety and the driveline snatch might be minor, or might evolve into expensive fixes.

If you're just at the start of the project, may be worth driving a diesel and a V8 and comparing with your 2.0, to see if you can really live with the allegedly poor performance from the small petrol engine (I've never driven one so can't directly comment, but I've read enough about them to strike it off my list of cars to have!) After all, it would be a shame to spend time and money on a car you don't like. Things like the rust, even though yours is minor - is still approx the same effort to fix as eg a more rusty 300TDi.

paul_c said:

I guess you bought a 2.0MPi then signed onto the forum, rather than the other way round?

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Correct!!

paul_c said:

If you're just at the start of the project, may be worth driving a diesel and a V8 and comparing with your 2.0, to see if you can really live with the allegedly poor performance from the small petrol engine

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To be honest though its only for towing my kids motorbikes around and I am not going any great distance. I could just drive it into the ground I suppose but it would be a bit of a shame as its not a bad car.

I am not a 4x4 nut so I wont be offroading and I have a second car for long journeys so the performance shouldnt be an issue. Having said that wehn I come to swap it I will know a bit more!!

D

dave_dunn said:

................its only for towing my kids motorbikes around ............... wont be offroading ...............

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VW Passat Estate would have done the same job and used half the fuel???

Anyway, I guess if you liked the idea of a Disco, for the shape or the looks or whatever, then go for it! Out of your long list of issues, some of them are really minor so may as well get them out the way. Nothing stands out as needing urgent attention. I hope you didn't spend too much on the car though!

paul_c said:

Anyway, I guess if you liked the idea of a Disco, for the shape or the looks or whatever, then go for it!

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My other half liked it and the seven seats will come in handy (already have). I can get the trailer on the back with the bike in and the quad actually in the back with the kids in the dicky seats.

paul_c said:

I hope you didn't spend too much on the car though!

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No, a lot less than I was about to spend on a van!! If it works out I will probably upgrade at some point.

D

I would (if you haven't already) get it up on an inspection lift/ramp to have a good look underneath, you'll be surprised what you missed the first time around, with having a browse underneath when the vehicle is on the deck.

then you can get a better picture of what is needed, it may seem silly to suggest this as you probably have already looked, but it's surprising what you notice second time around.

Its a good suggestion but I have been under it a few times now!! There is more to do but in the main its not bad. I have had much worse (admittedly not for quite a long time though!!).

If it does me 18 months - 2 years of pulling the kids bikes around I will be happy!

D