Ace leak help please!!!

Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I'm new to the group but have read many helpful posts before joining, I've recently bought a xreg td5 after having a few years away from land rovers this is my first ever disco!!
This is we're the fun starts, driving home last night the Amber ace light illuminated on the dash reading up on it I assumed it would be an easy fix, got home this evening and after having a shower I noticed a excessive amount of oil sat around the disco in tonights rain water, on further Inspection I've checked the levels and now notice the ace reservoir is completely empty, my question is can I drive it over to our local landrover specialist to get the required parts I need or will I cause damage?? Thanks in advance gav

Hi gav how bad is the said leak ie does it loose fluid straight away or over a period of time ? I wouldn't recommend running on empty tank as it would burn out the pump. Where about is the leak? The way most people me included overcome this is to convert it to a modified valve block with hydraulic hose keeping the ace or the other option is convert to standard ARB

lynx45 said:

Hi gav how bad is the said leak ie does it loose fluid straight away or over a period of time ? I wouldn't recommend running on empty tank as it would burn out the pump. Where about is the leak? The way most people me included overcome this is to convert it to a modified valve block with hydraulic hose keeping the ace or the other option is convert to standard ARB

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Thanks for the reply
I've not been able to get under it yet our place is like a swimming pool, if I can top. It up I'm sure it would make it the 20 mile or so trip even if I have to stop and top. It up mid way, is there any specific fluid or bearing in mind it will be being replaced by the garage coukd I just run some normal fluid in it to limp it over??

Gav93 said:

Thanks for the reply
I've not been able to get under it yet our place is like a swimming pool, if I can top. It up I'm sure it would make it the 20 mile or so trip even if I have to stop and top. It up mid way, is there any specific fluid or bearing in mind it will be being replaced by the garage coukd I just run some normal fluid in it to limp it over??

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you could use any oil including engine oil to cope with the leak,if its the pipes its likely to not a simple fix due to age

How much are you prepared to spend?

Cheapest option Hydraulic hose conversion
Most expensive LR genuine
Middle is Britpart parts or non active ARBs

Thanks for all the advice I've got. Some fluid for the morning just hoping it would be a simple in expensive pipe that's either perished or corroded, sounds like you guys have had bitter expensive experiences and maybe I'd better start digging deep to repair it! As it sounds like it could turn costly Still love the new addition apart from having a wet leg from the sunroof this afternoon

Temporary solution you could change the pump for a pulley and a shorter belt till you decide what to do next.

backinblack said:

Temporary solution you could change the pump for a pulley and a shorter belt till you decide what to do next.

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Would the vehicle still function safely if I did that? Would you recommend that as a short term fix rather than a long term solution? I've started reading up on the byoass/removal of the ace system but thought there's more to it???

I did it on mine with the intention of replacing the pipe but ended up selling the car before I got round to it. That said I drove it for about 6 months with no problems. It is not fitted to all Disco 2's anyway. Don't know if the non ACE Disco 2's have something else fitted instead but I'm sure others on here will know better.

I've found the problem this morning it's the 4 metal pipes that run along the chassis on the o/s by the front wheel,,, is it a hard job gents

Not easy job and pipes and seals are expensive.

I popped to our local landy specialist and he said stay away from the thing and suggested I just did away with it, £60 later and an hour of my time bingo no more ace! Just need to get the light knocked out now!!! I have a fully functional pump though if it's worth selling on?? Next job sort my sunroof leaks

Glad you're sorted, my local indi turned my light off otherwise it's an MOT fail. I can't even give my old pump away so good luck selling it

backinblack said:

Glad you're sorted, my local indi turned my light off otherwise it's an MOT fail. I can't even give my old pump away so good luck selling it

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Ha lol just thought if it helped someone out if I can cover the postage it's no use to me just seems a shame to. Chuck it in the scrap pile

Same here. It can sit in the garage for a while longer till I get fed up of tripping over it. May be able to use it to pump the oil into my gearbox on the next oil change, now there's a thought

Offer it on here there would be takers for free ACE pumps.

My pipes had split on the flanges into the block.

Fitted hoses instead

MJI said:

Offer it on here there would be takers for free ACE pumps.

My pipes had split on the flanges into the block.

Fitted hoses instead

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Done that already

Gav93 said:

I've found the problem this morning it's the 4 metal pipes that run along the chassis on the o/s by the front wheel,,, is it a hard job gents

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Had the same problem, repaired one pipe, another leaked within a few days dumping 4 litres of topping up fluid in 9 miles. Advised not to use normal PAS fluid as it affects seals in pump & ACE block? Land Rover Dealer advised all 5 pipes would need changing @ circa £100 each for the pipes plus fluid, if lucky they last seven years so mine was due for second set anyway. Bought second hand non ace roll bars and replacement pulley & tensioner for £80 from a Facebook Forum plus new rear drop links and shorter drive belt, had changed front links recently. Removed pump, actuators, valve block and removed the pipes back as far as I could see them. Unfortunately I spent £60 on fluid and £40 on specialist hydraulic compression fittings whilst trying to stop the leaks. That sorted the problem totally & relatively cheaply, two of us spent 4 hours underneath. You might be able to advertise the bits you take off.

If anyone wants to get rid of anything I iwll take a front ARB the pump pipe (for damper) and pump.

Got new bushes and ram ready for front and I am looking at fully replacing pump pipes