Disco inspection: thoughts?

"DrZ" (dzehner2)
04/09/2018 at 11:42 • Filed to: Land Rover Discovery, disco, offroad

Hey guys! Thanks for all the advice so far on my potential new car purchase. I feel a bit like I’m taking the Millenium Falcon for a test drive, she may look like a hunk of junk, but she’s got it where it counts.

Not the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy

To recap, I’m looking at a 2002 Land Rover Discovery II SD with about 80k miles or so on it that’s been sitting at my mechanic’s for a few months after he did some repairs on it and the customer left it there. I’ve put together an inspection and test drive checklist that I’d love to get some feedback on:

Inspection Checklist

Head gaskets

Coolant changed

Oil changed

Brake fluid changed

Thermostat

Power window regulators

Power door locks

Crank shaft sensor

Front driveshaft rebuilt using grasable U-joints

HIll Decent Control (HDC), ABS, and Traction Control lights checked (need to be all off)

Self Levelling Suspension- not flat

Secondary Air Injection (SAI) pump noisy (is the air filter clean)

Active Cornering Enhancement working

Look for during test drive

Overheating

Front end vibrations

Water leaks (take through car wash)

Am I missing anything (other than a few brain cells for undertaking this in the first place)?

DISCUSSION (12)

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > DrZ
04/09/2018 at 11:59

It is a good list. If you’re serious, I’d have someone (maybe not that mechanic) do a coolant pressure test/ leak test. My head gaskets were leaking when I bought mine, but the leak wasn’t obvious until after it overheated from coolant loss which increased the leak substantially. Basically they were only leaking when the engine was hot, but when the engine was hot the coolant would evaporate before it hit the ground, leaving no visible trace.

Also, don’t just make sure the TC/ HDC/ ABS (“three amigos”) are off, but also make sure they turn on when the cluster lights everything up. There have been a couple people in the D2 FB group that have purchased D2s with those bulbs removed/ taped over to disguise their issues. An Amigo problem will not necessarily light up the check engine light.

Same goes for sport mode on the transmission... and really all of the lights (ACE, suspension, etc)

Further and not to dissuade, as this is a 2002 it is unlikely to have a center locking diff. This isn’t really a big deal, just something to think about.

adamftw > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
04/09/2018 at 12:04

All this plus your list. Probably will not have ACE since its a SD. Also, it should track straight, and not have any bumpsteer.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > adamftw
04/09/2018 at 12:11

Sounds good. Is the air suspension in place still? Seems like most people delete when it goes wrong because $$$.

Mine had ACE and air suspension, but both were deleted prior to my purchase. Kind of a bummer, but looking at prices and procedures I can see why they were. Honestly it handles and offroads great without, but I wouldn’t mind the lift in back to improve the departure angle.

DrZ > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
04/09/2018 at 12:30

They actually installed a CLD, saw the lever for it. :)

DrZ > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
04/09/2018 at 12:31

Still has the air suspension! Says it’s in good shape, but we’ll see.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > DrZ
04/09/2018 at 12:36

Can’t really say more than what Akio mentioned. Good luck and hopefully everything is taken care of.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > DrZ
04/09/2018 at 15:56

Are you having a Rover specialist do the inspection?

DrZ > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
04/09/2018 at 22:08

Sadly, I don’t have anyone else near me that specializes in Land Rovers other than the mechanic that’s selling this rig...

DrZ > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
04/09/2018 at 22:13

Though I suppose I could use the overnight test drive to take it up to Chicago to one! :P

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > DrZ
04/10/2018 at 00:39

Might not be a bad idea honestly!

Teh Penguin of Doom > DrZ
04/10/2018 at 01:22

Get a Nanocom. You’re clueless without it, even just to inspect.

https://www.nanocom-diagnostics.com/

Teh Penguin of Doom > DrZ
04/10/2018 at 01:24

Air suspension only on the back side, right? It should NOT have to raise itself when started. If it needs to raise itself when started, it’s leaking. If it’s in one of the air shocks, not a big deal. If it’s in one of the air lines, potential messy problem. (And of course there are the conversions.)