I just picked up a 96 Discovery and wanted to check my mechanics recommendation.

1996 Discovery
120,000

Issues:
Misfires at idle & when revving to about 2.5-3 RPMs
Smoke comes out of air vents & behind vehicle when I am accelerating
Leaking oil

Fault Codes:
P0300, P0306, P0304, P0303, P1316, P1314

Mechanics Recommendation:
Change valve covers
Change ignition cables & spark plugs

Also is there anything I should be aware of if I am to buy the parts for the above and have a friend work on with me (a mechanic that is not used to Land Rovers)?

Thanks

 

Dont change the valve covers, just tighten the bolts, 8mm 12 point socket.
They all work loose and leak, just tighten the ones you can reach and 95% of the time the leaks stop.

As for the plug wires, Magnecor or Kingsbourne are the recommended ones to use, 7mm came from the factory on the truck, I have 8mm on mine.
If you use cheap plug wires you will have problems.
As for spark plugs, just plain old cheap copper plugs will do.

 

Is there any major difference between the 7mm, 8mm and 8.5mm as far as performance? Also, any specific place to purchase from online? apex performance in SC has them for $80 or so..

 

8.5mm wont fit in the wire looms, get the 8mm for $5 more.
I personally dont think there is any difference between 7mm and 8mm, I mean really? 1mm is small.
But I went with the 8mm anyway and I also ordered from Apex.
Plugs you can buy locally.

 

I bought my Magnecore's from Apex about 5 years ago or so. But I like the Kingsborne price better and I think they are just as good. So I've gone back to Kingsborne (I started using them on my Rovers 25 years ago or so).

 

I actually bought the ProLine Wires from Rovers North 2 years ago for 50 bucks.

They are larger, package says heavy duty. They work great.

 

Thanks all for the advice. I talked to the guys @ Kingsborne and will give their wires a try. I'll follow all recommendations and post a response soon.

 

If all high voltage wires (read: ignition wires) deteriorate with use, how come that the high tension (voltage) lead on the CRT (TV) flyby doesn't deteriorate? I think that HT leads are designed to fail.
I run Magnecor 8.5: drilled the wire holders to make them fit.
BUT! they still failed.
So, instead of replacing them, I slipped high voltage insulator tubing (silicone and glassfiber) over the HT wires... what a pain to do but worth it. Also put this tubing anywhere the HT wires were rubbing against , like the dipstick tube.
The total size of the Ht lead is now around 15mm, no more misfire problems, the plugs are always fresh and I can drench the engine and it won't flinch a bit.
The tubing is available at UAP/NAPA, you'll need two packs.

SD

 

Do you have a part number for NAPA?