Hello and a few questions....

Hi All,

First post and first Land Rover of any description. Bought a 1996 Disco 300TDi yesterday and am loving it. Got it for £1700 with 128k miles on it so it's no spring chicken. Looks to have had a fairly easy life in terms of body condition (dents/rust). Clutch feels graunchy so guessing that's going to need replaced sometime soon.

It's using coolant though. It got pretty hot on the way home (down the M1): I checked it and the coolant level was very low- topped it up and took it our for another run. Checked the coolant level this morning and it's dropped again. I've had a good look round the hoses and there's no sign of coolant spray and the oil is fine so presumably not head gasket. The radiator looks pretty fekked though- lots of missing fins- probable culprit?? Where are the other usual places the coolant likes to leave by? Is halfrauds off the shelf pre-mixed stuff ok for it?

Looking for parts online I found these:
Paddock Spares - Land Rover, Range Rover Parts & Accessories - Discovery, Defender and Freelander
Land Rover Accessories & Spare Parts
Famous Four - Independent Land Rover Parts, Accessories, Sales & Servicing Specialist - Land Rover Parts, Land Rover Accessories, Land Rover Vehicle Sales, Servicing & Repair

Are these all ok? Is there a consensus on which is best (if any)? Any others?

Also planning to do the cambelt as I don't know when it was last done. Is it a nightmare to DIY- I did try a search? Sorry- the haynes book will probably answer much of this but it hasn't arrived yet and I prefer real advice anyway!

Last question- based in Hillingdon, right on the border to Herts/Bucks. Where are the places to go nearby for some muddy fun? (bearing in mind I'm new, brand new, to off-roading so nowt too challnging!)

Right- I think I sounded naive enough there. Feel free to take the **** relentlessly now

My mate, lazzer on here, has the same problem on his 300tdi, water keeps disappearing and he has to keep topping up..
the problem is a leak on the P gasket... you might have the same.

look here 300TDI p gasket - LR4x4 - The Land Rover Forum

Hi and welcome

psst read my sig

iannotts said:

Hi and welcome

psst read my sig

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Cheers JP. And ianotts, PM sent

OK- so I've ordered up a new rad and set of hoses, P-gasket and core plug.

Also ordered up a clutch, release bearing and guide sleeve as it feels like a bag of marbles.

And a cambelt kit.

Bearing in mind what'll need to come off to do all that is there any other routine stuff you'd recommend doing while I'm at it? I don't know if it's had the timing belt rectification kit done yet- apparently you can't tell until you take it all apart?- fingers crossed it's been done as it seems to be somewhat pricey!

Gracias

When you have it in pieces to do the cam belt you could do the front crankshaft oil seal as well and while you are doing the clutch you could think about doing the rear crankshaft oil seal.
Of course I am assuming they are leaking, mine do. When ever I mention it to anyone they just shrug and say "it's a Land Rover, they all do that, just keep the oil topped up"

and the clutch fork

and a rakeway bearing holder

Hi Str0nach, I'm only up the up the road from you in Ruislip, can't help with most of your questions but it's nice to know there's someone not too far away if you need an extra pair of hands.

Headtester said:

Hi Str0nach, I'm only up the up the road from you in Ruislip, can't help with most of your questions but it's nice to know there's someone not too far away if you need an extra pair of hands.

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Nice one! I'm even closer than you thought- Harefield. (I was using borough-speak when I said Hillingdon )

if it's the rad that's leaking, you'll want to take it off anyway when you do your cambelt.