New to Discovery - some problems!

faero · Jun 30, 2008

So - first time I've owned one and have got a family members one. Unfortunatley it's not been well looked after and has succumbed to salty wet roads in Fife a fair bit. But then that gives me a little refurb project!
Anyway - here's my list!

1) Drove it from Edinburgh to London last night and got a true 28mpg sitting at 78mph most of the way. Is that normal?
Pumping the rear tyres up from 19psi (!!!) to the 38psi spec in the book was a bit of a revelation on the handling... not sure how long they've been driving like that.

2) The central locking is intermittent. I can always get the hazards to flash but it's 50/50 that the locks will go. Any known easy fixes / places to look?

3) Rear door lock doesnt central lock at all. Is it supposed to?

4) Sunroofs leak. The seals look at bit dry and once was misaligned so is better now. It's as if the glass is stopping about 5mm short of where it should go. Can this be adjusted?

5) Car has done 117k miles. Cambelt was done at 75k. But that was 6 years ago. Is it ripe for a change or a fair bit left in it?

6) It's metallic red and I'm going to touch up a few bits. Is there a good source for matching paint? Should I be LandRover only or do Halfrauds do OK ?(aerosol for these bits is fine)

7) Have bought roof rails - looking forward to drilling holes in the roof :0 Will search for tips on this.

Please pick of which bits you can - I'll keep searching the threads in the interim. Didnt want to start 6 threads!

Overall - it's a fun car - and although painfully slow at times, actually bowls along really well / very comfy if you are patient and change your driving to suit the car. Just cruise along and look down on other cars...

CaptainChaos · Jun 30, 2008

faero said:
So - first time I've owned one and have got a family members one. Unfortunatley it's not been well looked after and has succumbed to salty wet roads in Fife a fair bit. But then that gives me a little refurb project!
Anyway - here's my list!

1) Drove it from Edinburgh to London last night and got a true 28mpg sitting at 78mph most of the way. Is that normal?
Pumping the rear tyres up from 19psi (!!!) to the 38psi spec in the book was a bit of a revelation on the handling... not sure how long they've been driving like that.

2) The central locking is intermittent. I can always get the hazards to flash but it's 50/50 that the locks will go. Any known easy fixes / places to look?

3) Rear door lock doesnt central lock at all. Is it supposed to?

4) Sunroofs leak. The seals look at bit dry and once was misaligned so is better now. It's as if the glass is stopping about 5mm short of where it should go. Can this be adjusted?

5) Car has done 117k miles. Cambelt was done at 75k. But that was 6 years ago. Is it ripe for a change or a fair bit left in it?

6) It's metallic red and I'm going to touch up a few bits. Is there a good source for matching paint? Should I be LandRover only or do Halfrauds do OK ?(aerosol for these bits is fine)

7) Have bought roof rails - looking forward to drilling holes in the roof :0 Will search for tips on this.

Please pick of which bits you can - I'll keep searching the threads in the interim. Didnt want to start 6 threads!

Overall - it's a fun car - and although painfully slow at times, actually bowls along really well / very comfy if you are patient and change your driving to suit the car. Just cruise along and look down on other cars...

I will answer what i can for you

1. ........ 28mpg at 78mph

wish mine would do that ............. you lucky thing you

2. ........ probably needs new lock springs ........ these are cheap and readily available from dealers and well known auction sites

3. ....... as above ............or possibly broken wire/loose earth etc ...... remove rear door card and take a look

4. ...... never had to deal with this so i'll leave that one for someone else

5. ....... change it .......... better safe than sorry and the kits are cheap ........... also get one of the BELT KITS which contain new idlers and tensioners ....... well worth the extra pennies for piece of mind

6. ....... again i will leave this one for someone more "in the know"

7. ........ measure twice drill once

Hope this helps a little mate

Enjoy your new Disco ........... they're great 4x4's

Pikey · Jun 30, 2008

faero said:
1) Drove it from Edinburgh to London last night and got a true 28mpg sitting at 78mph most of the way. Is that normal?
Pumping the rear tyres up from 19psi (!!!) to the 38psi spec in the book was a bit of a revelation on the handling... not sure how long they've been driving like that.

No it's not at that speed you'd expect about 25mpg. at 55/60 you can expect to average 30/35mpg

2) The central locking is intermittent. I can always get the hazards to flash but it's 50/50 that the locks will go. Any known easy fixes / places to look?

Common problem try replacing the battery in the remote keyfob.

3) Rear door lock doesnt central lock at all. Is it supposed to?

Yes

4) Sunroofs leak. The seals look at bit dry and once was misaligned so is better now. It's as if the glass is stopping about 5mm short of where it should go. Can this be adjusted?

Another common problem no they won't adjust Silicone sealant seems to be the only known cure for this problem.

5) Car has done 117k miles. Cambelt was done at 75k. But that was 6 years ago. Is it ripe for a change or a fair bit left in it?

40k miles is (IIRC) the recommended interval anyway so definately ready for a new belt.

6) It's metallic red and I'm going to touch up a few bits. Is there a good source for matching paint? Should I be LandRover only or do Halfrauds do OK ?(aerosol for these bits is fine)

Halfrauds will mix a can up for you.

7) Have bought roof rails - looking forward to drilling holes in the roof :0 Will search for tips on this.

there's a few threads on this google should find them. It's a big job because you have to drop the roof lining to get at the bolts.

Overall - it's a fun car - and although painfully slow at times, actually bowls along really well / very comfy if you are patient and change your driving to suit the car. Just cruise along and look down on other cars...

Yep as you're beginning to realise driving a disco isn't like driving other cars. as the popular motto says. "You can go fast, I can go anywhere"

faero · Jun 30, 2008

Thanks!! Sign of a good forum with answers in minutes!!

I havent brimmed the tank since I got back but 1/2 way down was 28mpg but I was very careful with throttle and it was 3hrs without brakes or change of speed. I'll check it again but at least it's not using too much after the sadistic hilarity of putting £110 of diesel in ho ho.

Keyfob battery was replaced (forgot to say) but points taken on the locks. I'd have thought the lock spring issue would be affecting certain doors (sounds like the rear door is affected with this for sure). In this case it's all or nothing - and when it goes, they all come up well. The fact that the hazards go everytime makes me think the link between fob and car is OK too. Maybe one marginal door can kill the whole lot? hmm

and you've confirmed my thought on the cambelt too - will get that ordered up. Will maybe not be too gung ho with the rails either....

PASTMASTER · Jun 30, 2008

Discovery Sunroof Guide Mantomad the sunroof supremo tells all...

thebiglad · Jun 30, 2008

faero said:
So - first time I've owned one and have got a family members one. Unfortunatley it's not been well looked after and has succumbed to salty wet roads in Fife a fair bit. But then that gives me a little refurb project!
Anyway - here's my list!

1) Drove it from Edinburgh to London last night and got a true 28mpg sitting at 78mph most of the way. Is that normal? We get about 35mpg out of each of ours, but we live in the country and don't encounter much traffic at all. Normal cruising speed 55mph.
Pumping the rear tyres up from 19psi (!!!) to the 38psi spec in the book was a bit of a revelation on the handling... not sure how long they've been driving like that. Ours are at 33psi front & 35psi rear and the cars handle fine.

2) The central locking is intermittent. I can always get the hazards to flash but it's 50/50 that the locks will go. Any known easy fixes / places to look?

3) Rear door lock doesnt central lock at all. Is it supposed to? Yes !!

4) Sunroofs leak. The seals look at bit dry and once was misaligned so is better now. It's as if the glass is stopping about 5mm short of where it should go. Can this be adjusted? My mate used Duct tape - but he's a bit like that!!

5) Car has done 117k miles. Cambelt was done at 75k. But that was 6 years ago. Is it ripe for a change or a fair bit left in it? Change it as a matter of urgency - really most change at 36K or 3 yrs - easy job I'm told

6) It's metallic red and I'm going to touch up a few bits. Is there a good source for matching paint? Should I be LandRover only or do Halfrauds do OK ?(aerosol for these bits is fine)

7) Have bought roof rails - looking forward to drilling holes in the roof :0 Will search for tips on this.

Please pick of which bits you can - I'll keep searching the threads in the interim. Didnt want to start 6 threads!

Overall - it's a fun car - and although painfully slow at times, actually bowls along really well / very comfy if you are patient and change your driving to suit the car. Just cruise along and look down on other cars...

Hi Faero, welcome to Disco heaven

If I may, I would advise you to change all oil fluids ie engine, gearbox transfer box and axles. This IS an easy job. Change all filters and always keep a really good airfilter in her - they seem especially sensitive to this.

See this site for service bits: Filter Kits

And have fun !!!!

Cheers
Davehttp://www.paddockspares

faero · Jun 30, 2008

Good sunroof guide! I can do my roof rails whilst that lot is out too.

As for fluids - I'll need to get the whole lot lot done. It's had oil changes but will be on orginal gearbox and axle oil.
Gearbox has a touch of a notch into 3rd if I rush it when coldish so new oil always helps a little there anyway.

It's next trip is 750 miles to South of France so it's to be tiptop. ... thankfully 2 sunroofs might help with lack of A/C

thebiglad · Jun 30, 2008

faero said:
Good sunroof guide! I can do my roof rails whilst that lot is out too.

As for fluids - I'll need to get the whole lot lot done. It's had oil changes but will be on orginal gearbox and axle oil.
Gearbox has a touch of a notch into 3rd if I rush it when coldish so new oil always helps a little there anyway.

It's next trip is 750 miles to South of France so it's to be tiptop. ... thankfully 2 sunroofs might help with lack of A/C

If you are planning to keep the vehicle a while, might I suggest these oils for the gearboxes and axles: Gearbox and Transmission Oils 4x4 Store

They are not cheap but they really good. I put them in my wifes Disco 200 and it runs smoothly and much quieter now.

Cheers
Dave

MartinK · Jun 30, 2008

Suggest dropping the speed a bit if you want more economy (td5). I did over 1000 miles in the last few days, and if you sit at A9 speeds, you'll do better. I tend to sit at 60-65mph on the A1 and A9 (i.e. on the speed limit), and would get 33-34 mpg on that type of a run (600+ miles between fills is normal at these speeds)... Pumping the tyres up will have made you a few MPG as well!

faero · Jun 30, 2008

Yeah - I am used to 90+ in a 350bhp Saab so I will continue to drop the pace and go with the flow.
It has good but well worn michelins on the back and some rotten looking over-treaded things on the front. They even squeel on the mildest corners with a little power understeer - horrid! Look like a mild off-road tread but from cheap rubber. Will be ditched soon.
Anyway - at 80 they start droning so suspect they will not help economy at any speed.
Overall I think the economy is pretty good though considering weight, 4x4, and aerodynamics.

iannotts · Jun 30, 2008

not read the sunroof guide, but i rub vasaline around the seal every 3-6months does the trick

Disco Inferno · Jun 30, 2008

I find that rubbing vasaline around most things does the trick. I like to rub it more often than once every 3 months tho

probably works well on sunroofs aswell

New to Discovery - some problems!

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faero

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thebiglad

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