Hi All - Newbie here.

I picked up a 97' Disco (my first) as a "beater vehicle" to tow my boat short distances. Turns out I love driving the vehicle and I am considering garaging my BMW for the winter and extending my Disco use.

Vehicle has 160K miles on it, engine kinda sounds like there is a gerbil wheel powering the vehicle (but it pulls strong). It has what sounds like a very common power steering leak and I am now on my 2nd big bottle of Lucas power steering/leak stop but it doesn't appear this is going to do the trick.

So my question is this, might this be a vehicle worth investing in? the body is solid, the interior is B+ and like I said, I love driving the vehicle.

My concern is that I need to lay out a repair plan for this vehicle if I am going to extend it's use. I don't really want to get nickeled and dimed on repairs. So for instance, if I am at end of life on the engine am I better off replacing it at "first break". If replacing it, is there more of a commodity engine, or better suited engine I can drop in?

In making a decision to repair vs. "drive it into the ground", what factors would you advise I evaluate?

Besides the power steering leak, I also have a rear sunroof leak (I assume silicone will address this), the front headlamp/bumper guard is rusting out but that's about all I have noticed wrong with the vehicle...and it would be nice to have this as a winter daily driver in Minnesota.

Your insights are appreciated!

Thanks!

- scott -

 

The disco sticky at the top of the forum is your best friend. Check out new to you and high mileage threads. Not expensive to do. Go find savanna buzz and download the RAVE, also your best friend. Welcome, stay a while.

 

It will require maintenance which can be as simple as fluids, but eventually something will be expensive to repair. They aren't worth much anymore so you'll have to love it enough to justify it.

The engine best suited to it is the engine that's already in there. It can be rebuilt or replaced for as much as a used disco, but then again a used disco will have an old tired engine.

 

Try switching motor oil type and weight, I dont know where you live, I assume somewhere in the snow belt, so use Shell Rotella 5w-40 and see what happens to the engine noise.
As for the power steering leak, stop using the stop leak, you are going to fry the pump by putting in to much.
No there is no other engine that will drop in and work, that subject has been beat to death.
The Rover V8 is one of the best engines out there, it is virtually bullet proof, it just needs love.

 

The Power Steering uses ATF not Power Steering Fluid!!!

The primary decision factor is the thickness of your wallet and the capabilities you possees. If you have the ability and the facility to work your way thru it, you may get by pretty well depending on how good/bad the actual conditions are.

Often sunroof leaks are due to the drain tubes that are attached inside the vehicle behind the headliner, they tend to clog up so they do not drain, or split or slip off. Also the frames themselves are four pieces with seams that were sealed about 15 years ago with caulking that tends to drip as well. So yank out the headliner and see what you got!

And realize, Love makes you make crazy choices!