Towing a Disco..

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[JP]

[JP]

New Member
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Location
Newbury, Berks

So a mate broke down on his disco and now we have to move it to the garage…
I thought about just towing it, with a tow rope (yes, I'm aware of the brakes issues), or with a tow bar, but been told that a discovery shouldn’t be towed?
something to do with the diffs (or is it props) that can over heat?


Could someone explain me how is this and why can it damage the disco?
other option we have is just hiring a big trailer, which is not expensive and we'll probably do that, but would like to know the mechanics of why is not good to tow it..

btw, cause of breaking down might be snaped cambelt..

cheers
JP
 
What year Discovery, what's wrong with it, how far are you proposing to tow it?
 
It's a 95 Disco 300Tdi

It just wont start, it will turn, but wont start, we checked the lift pump, which is working, and the fuel pump, diaphragm is good, but still nothing getting to the injectors…
We have taken the seal off the timing belt casing, which gives access to the bolt connected to the fuel pump (sorry no haynes here, and cant remember the exact name), and it turns very easily, if the belt was there shouldn’t it be hard to turn as everything would be connected?
We also put a wire through the tming belt drain hole and can't feel any rubbery stuff there, just the cogs…
We think it's timing belt, my mate was going to get it done next week, so in any case its going in for the timing belt to be done...


The distance we need to tow is about 20 miles
 
[JP];753710 said:
So a mate broke down on his disco and now we have to move it to the garage…
I thought about just towing it, with a tow rope (yes, I'm aware of the brakes issues), or with a tow bar, but been told that a discovery shouldn’t be towed?
something to do with the diffs (or is it props) that can over heat?


Could someone explain me how is this and why can it damage the disco?
other option we have is just hiring a big trailer, which is not expensive and we'll probably do that, but would like to know the mechanics of why is not good to tow it..

btw, cause of breaking down might be snaped cambelt..

cheers
JP
Click to expand...

welcome to the snapped cam belt club ! yes if its a manual you can tow.Yes the breaks will have to be stamped on to get them to work...i'd use a bar if I were you ! i nearly crapped myself a couple of times trying to brake ! :eek:
 
[JP];753716 said:
It's a 95 Disco 300Tdi

It just wont start, it will turn, but wont start, we checked the lift pump, which is working, and the fuel pump, diaphragm is good, but still nothing getting to the injectors…
We have taken the seal off the timing belt casing, which gives access to the bolt connected to the fuel pump (sorry no haynes here, and cant remember the exact name), and it turns very easily, if the belt was there shouldn’t it be hard to turn as everything would be connected?
We also put a wire through the tming belt drain hole and can't feel any rubbery stuff there, just the cogs…
We think it's timing belt, my mate was going to get it done next week, so in any case its going in for the timing belt to be done...


The distance we need to tow is about 20 miles
Click to expand...

checked the fuel shutoff solenoid ?
 
So.. we can tow it?
We have already tow it like 600 yards, as he broke down close to home and going down a steep hill, hard work on the brakes but we managed…
We were also thinking of doing it overnight and through B roads, so we don't get on the way of anyone and can do it in our own time..

but been told it will damage the diffs or props…. so it won't damage?

Sean, where abouts is that?
To be honest once we started to get a feel for the belt and couldn’t find it, we gave up on all the other options and just went for "cam belt gone"…...
 
post 4 sez ya can.Autos boil the oil cos it dont go to the cooler but yours is manual.Get a long rope and plenty of breaking distance.
 
cool...
I'll let you guys know if my mate will need a new front end by the time we get to the garage.. lol

thanks for the help!
 
I'm at work now, so don't have the haynes here, but could someone describe quickly where the shut off valve is and how can i check if it's working or not?

cheers!
JP
 
[JP];753733 said:
I'm at work now, so don't have the haynes here, but could someone describe quickly where the shut off valve is and how can i check if it's working or not?

cheers!
JP
Click to expand...

it's on the IP - with a single wire attached

should be 12v on it
 
fuel shut off valve does wot it says - it is basically a solenoid which either allows or stops fuel flowing to the engine. On a 200 TDi it is along the OS chassis rail by the steering shaft.
Pics to follow.
 

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Last edited:
Correct there CharlesY, if I take the seal off, I can rotate the pump by using a ratchet and socket... it kind of jumps halfway, but I think that's normal..?

boydy.. thanks for that tip, will try that as well...

If the cambelt snaps do all the belts on the outside turn? or if its snaped nothing should turn?

And could not find the fuel cut off switch!! really annoyed, even haynes doesnt mention it!
 
what i did as a roadside test was to take off the oil cap and get someone to turn the engine over....if nothing moves then the belt has snapped
 
The cambelt drives ONLY the camshaft and the injection pump.

If the cambelt breaks, that does NOT affect the FAN / Alternator / AC etc belt in any way.

The definitive test is to take off the oil filler cap and look in. You should get a view of some valve rockers. Get someone to turn the key to run the starter.

If the rockers DO rock as the engine turns the belt is NOT bust.

If the rockers do NOT rock as the engine turns the belt is almost certainly bust.

As for towing a Disco manual, that's OK as long as all four wheels are on the road.

Do NOT "tow" any Disco / Defender with the front wheels on a lift-frame towing thing.

If you do, the centre diff will operate at Double-Time and probably wreck itself. If you MUST do this, keep the speed right down to about 10 mph, keep the distance down to as little as possible, and make sure the transfer box in in its neutral position.

CharlesY
 
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