Disco 2 What to look for when buying a Disco 2?

LandyMan · Jul 22, 2015

Hi people,

I will be buying my 1st Discovery in the next week or 2

WAHOOO!!

Is there anything in particular that I need to look for when buying a used disco 2?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Neil

LUKBENPHI · Jul 22, 2015

from what I've preand from the site apart from the usual car related bits
Rear chassis
rear air bags work and system works.
Rear chassis
HDC works if fitted
Rear chassis
All electrics work
And you guessed it... rear chassis

I'm sure someone will be along shortly with a full run down or the link to a thread with the full details.

LandyMan · Jul 22, 2015

Thanks.

So i need to check the rear chassis!

It would be good if someone could post a link to a useful thread.

davidsmith1307 · Jul 22, 2015

I assume you are buying a Td5?
If so then the usual checks for coolant in the oil and oil in the coolant. Run the engine up to temperature and check that the coolant header tank isn't bubbling.
Smell the dipstick and make sure it doesn't smell of diesel. Check the ECU red plug for oil.
Service history and/or receipts are a good thing.

LandyMan · Jul 22, 2015

thanks, yes it'll be a td5.

where is the ecu red plug?

TheDarkPassenger · Jul 22, 2015

Under a plastic housing at the front right of the vehicle (or left if you're looking at it from the front).
ECU is a large metal housing, you'll see the connector sticking out.

TheDarkPassenger · Jul 22, 2015

And don't forget to check the chassis

Also, the sills at the bottom of the body, they can rust

MJI · Jul 22, 2015

Leaks for steering & ACE

Corrosion of ACE pipes

Warning lights

If you know someone with Hawkeye or Nanocom take them along

LandyMan · Jul 22, 2015

I think I had better check the chassis!

Thanks guys, your help is very appreciated.

I don't anyone with a nanocom or a hawkeye

LandyMan · Jul 22, 2015

How can you tell if the transfer box is working properly?

DIFFLOCK66 · Jul 22, 2015

There might be someone in your area with a diagnostic, just ask. The ECU is underneath the battery cover, next to the jack. You have to unbolt the ECU, lift it up and then you can get to the plugs underneath

Bennehboy · Jul 22, 2015

NDavies said:
How can you tell if the transfer box is working properly?

Make sure you can select low range, normally they never get taken out of high so the cable can get stuck in the sleeve.

You'll be lucky to find one with center diff lock, but if you do you can engage it by pushing the hi/lo lever over to the left, a light will light up on the dash.. again if this hasn't been used the cable can be stiff and the light can take a little while to come on (might have to drive back and forward to get it to come on - same to get it to go off).

brian47 · Jul 22, 2015

Yes, the rear chassis needs a careful inspection, especially the rear cross member. Depending on age, all Disco 2s are now at least 11 years old you might well find some wear around the suspension bushes, nothing too much to worry about as long as you’re pretty OK with some spanners.

The Td5 lump is fairly reliable, the oil problem in the red plug will usually show itself first with lumpy or rough running. The main trouble when inspecting is that you have to pull the ECU out to reach the plug which connects to the bottom of the unit.

As I said, expect about 11 year’s use, that could be close to 110,000 miles or so which might well show in the condition of the interior. Check that everything electrical works properly, in some cases with the Disco 2 electrical faults can mean problems with various ECU’s.

Apart from all that, the Disco 2 is generally a pretty good vehicle; enjoy it. On a website like this one it’s the nature of the beast that you’ll hear more about the problems than what’s working properly; there aren’t many postings saying “My Land Rover is running absolutely fine, what can I do about it?”

LandyMan · Jul 22, 2015

DIFFLOCK66 said:
There might be someone in your area with a diagnostic, just ask. The ECU is underneath the battery cover, next to the jack. You have to unbolt the ECU, lift it up and then you can get to the plugs underneath

Thanks

Is there a forum where I can ask this?

I am going to look at 1 today in between coventry & hinkley

LandyMan · Jul 22, 2015

Bennehboy said:
Make sure you can select low range, normally they never get taken out of high so the cable can get stuck in the sleeve.

You'll be lucky to find one with center diff lock, but if you do you can engage it by pushing the hi/lo lever over to the left, a light will light up on the dash.. again if this hasn't been used the cable can be stiff and the light can take a little while to come on (might have to drive back and forward to get it to come on - same to get it to go off).

Thanks.

I'm currently reading your D2 Adventure thread

Bennehboy · Jul 22, 2015

NDavies said:
Thanks.

I'm currently reading your D2 Adventure thread

Ha, might take you a

LandyMan · Jul 22, 2015

brian47 said:
Yes, the rear chassis needs a careful inspection, especially the rear cross member. Depending on age, all Disco 2s are now at least 11 years old you might well find some wear around the suspension bushes, nothing too much to worry about as long as you’re pretty OK with some spanners.

The Td5 lump is fairly reliable, the oil problem in the red plug will usually show itself first with lumpy or rough running. The main trouble when inspecting is that you have to pull the ECU out to reach the plug which connects to the bottom of the unit.

As I said, expect about 11 year’s use, that could be close to 110,000 miles or so which might well show in the condition of the interior. Check that everything electrical works properly, in some cases with the Disco 2 electrical faults can mean problems with various ECU’s.

Apart from all that, the Disco 2 is generally a pretty good vehicle; enjoy it. On a website like this one it’s the nature of the beast that you’ll hear more about the problems than what’s working properly; there aren’t many postings saying “My Land Rover is running absolutely fine, what can I do about it?”

Thanks, I guess most forums / reviews are the same, no one ever says if something is good.

The 1 i'm looking at today is a 1999 D2, got 160k on the clock. looks very tidy from the pics, but I haven't seen underneath yet.

I'm expecting to carry out some work on it, or any disco that I buy.

LandyMan · Jul 22, 2015

Bennehboy said:
Ha, might take you a

yeh, i;m only on page 4 at the mo

LandyMan · Jul 22, 2015

so, i went and had a look and to be honest i'm not that impressed.

The underneath looked ok for the age, i couldn't see any major rust or holes in the chassis, however there was a lot of oil all over the transfer box and there was lots of cosmetic things like the fuel cap wouldn't open when you pressed the button, and 1 of the back doors wouldn't open from the inside or outside ... on a plus note both the sun roofs didn't leak lol.

anyway, I won't be buying it, i will keep my eyes open for another 1.

I also found some strange sort of pink stuff on the engine, my initial thoughts are radweld, but I could be mistaken. I would upload a picture but the site won;t let me

Bennehboy · Jul 22, 2015

Pink stuff would probably just be dried out OAT coolant.

Disco 2 What to look for when buying a Disco 2?

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