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I am a new member to the forums but have used it extensively when choosing the Disco I recently bought. I have luckily enough found the exact model I wanted in great condition and am looking to take the first few steps of preventative maintenance/mods in the next couple of weeks. What would you guys upgrade, check, replace in the first few months of ownership?
It is a 2004 Disco II, SE7 4.6L V8 with 118k of serviced and garaged use mainly on freeways by a soccer mom who had no idea the beast within her daily driver. I went for the SE7 as I have a lot of family members who we tend to cart around from time to time and also I already have one little monster with more most likely on the way in the next couple of years.
It will be used as a non daily commuter but will be need to be able to take long trips 5-6 hours on the highway about once every 2 months. Eventually in 2-3 years it will be an exped vehicle long distance hauls, but currently just a bad weather winter driver with some fun on the side.
Please look at the "major service" listing in the D2 part of the forum, you'll be wanting to attend to the list of things.
Check fluids underhood weekly.
At your miles you'll be wanting to be sure that drive shafts front and rear are greaseable, and lube them every oil change. Failing ones make a chirp and then impale the transmission.
Cooling system can fool you, the engine computer averages the coolant signals and produces a nice 9:00 position for the gauge, even is you are a lot hotter than you should be. This can be checked with a data reading code scanner, or an after market gauge like the Ultra gauge. Check fan clutch to be sure it does not "freewheel" by hand when warmed up, should be stiff, not spin more than 1/2 to 1 revolution. Flush with commercial chemical radiator flush, re-fill with green or yellow coolant and distilled water. No Dexcool.
Change oil in differentials and transfer case, and transmission fluid. Many owners enjoy the extra cleaning benefits of a diesel rated engine oil, like Shell Rotella. Grease both ends of the hood release cable.
Change remote key fob battery, but do it quick like a bunny (less than 10 seconds) or it can forget which truck it belongs to and need dealer re-programming. New battery for truck, even if it looks OK. Put OK battery in somethingelse. There is so much electronics in D2 that needs a tip top battery to defeat gremilins.
Be sure you download your own copy of the RAVE below, that is the factory set of manuals, including shop, owners, electrical, etc. All free.
Repairs in the future may include water pump, oil pump (you can do a mechanical test for that PSI), alternator, etc.
This is exactly the type of things I was looking for and anymore that anyone thinks of please let me know.
A couple of questions though and please keep in mind I am an amateur tinker man with cars and have never done any major maintenance on a landie.
1. How do I know if my drive shafts are greasable?
2. And if the temp guage is wrong would it show as a CEL and then use a code reader and it would translate as bad temp/broken guage or would I attach a ultra guage up to the temp wiring and see what it read for current temps?
Thanks again and hopefully with the help of some time, patience, money and the mass of landie knowledge on this forum I can keep this disco running like a top.
First Steps with New Disco
