Hi everyone,

I just purchased my first Land Rover.

1996 Discovery SE

I have only had it two days and despite all of the repair items I need to make, I love this thing! I love how it drives, I love how it rides, I love how it sounds, I love how it looks.

My wife on the other hand doesn't share the same sentiment as I do towards the newest occupant in our garage...

Anyway, wanted to introduce myself.

Here's the lowdown - would appreciate if you guys could evaluate if my purchase was a good deal or not based on your vast knowledge of these things.

- 1996 Land Rover Discovery SE
- Alpine White
- 171,400 miles
- appears to be pretty much bone stock
- it has some rust spots - one is a hole in the passenger rear top corner - also has large rusted away holes when opening the rear doors right where the wheel well curves up to meet the door catch pin

Here's a list of the things I know about so far that will need attention:
- gas cap is missing
- when filling the gas tank when it gets to the top, gas starts pouring onto the ground from underneath the vehicle
- rear wiper arm has been broken off
- ignition key needs to be jiggled in order for it to turn in the lock cylinder
- blower switch does not normally keep the fan on ... need to press the **** in and hold it in for the fan to keep blowing
- overheats when driving on the highway for over 20 minutes
- passenger headlight will need a couple of those ball joint clips that hold onto the adjuster bolts
- needs a new battery
- loud exhaust like there is a hole in the pipe
- rear view mirror was auto-dim and the glass cracked so PO put some wobbly plastic mirror material up there which barely works as a mirror
- driver door lock does not lock when you use the remote to lock the doors
- stock radio is gone and in its place is a cheezy one so none of the controls behind the steering wheel do anything anymore
- fan clutch will need to be replaced
- water pump has a squeak to it
- replaced the HID headlights with the stock 9003 bulbs so I don't look like a blue airport beacon driving around at night
- headliner waves in the wind on the passenger side behind the front seat

Now for the good parts (according to the previous owner):
- new bilstein shocks all the way around
- new brakes all the way around
- head gasket was replaced
- interior is in very nice shape (tan leather seats)


That said, the thing runs and drives amazingly good. It has two functional sunroofs. It starts very well. All four stock wheels are in really good condition.

Purchase price was $1200.

I am planning on replacing the water pump - PO gave me a new one and I ordered a new fan clutch and while I'm in there I'm going to replace the thermostat too.

I am also planning on doing the ignition key fix where you file the brass lock plates down so the key turns better.

I ordered a used auto-dim rear-view mirror from ebay and I plan on taking the blower switch apart and cleaning the contacts on that as well.

Will be picking up a battery and gas cap tonight from the local auto parts place.

 

Prices vary by area but sounds like you got a decent deal. White is a good Disco color, and good move on the lights.

 

sounds like a good deal. Might want to pick up a rear view mirror clip on that is wider. Autohole has a nice one that I've been using for a while.

Given the miles also replace the fan belt pulley bearing. It's cheap $10 and if yours dies its a show stopper.

New gas cap will fix - gas reflux issue after a while.

You can get a factory replacement radio if those controls are important to you - I never use mine. Be sure to get the vin so LR can look up the code to activate.

Rovers are weird - contrary beasts. For Brake Fluid - only Dot 4 (not 3/4) Castrol

Get a code reader

I have a 98- I love it.

 

Oh snap! I put DOT 3/4 in the brake res to top off the brake fluid... Do I need to flush it? No telling what the previous owner put in either and he changed all the brake parts out.

Thanks for the advice on the fan belt pulley bearing. I will pick one of those up and do it when I have all the cooling parts off.

Just got back from a grocery run tonight - I can't quite figure out what it is, but I just love driving this thing!

 

Open an account with Rovers North your going to need it. And stop using the sunroofs you don't want that problem. Welcome to the club and the headache that will follow.

 

Congrats. The sunroofs tend to leak, so be careful there. It sounds like your gasoline vent tube is leaking. It happens to them all after a while. Look up under there with a flashlight. Nice to see someone who appreciates these trucks. I thought I was weird.

 

Get the rust taken care of fast before it takes care of you rig. And try not to use parts from the big box auto part stores they go out quick and some times don't work at all. The mirror is 300.00 at the min and if you want the new one not to screw up leave the auto dim off and try not to break the mirror the liquid in the mirror can eat holes in your interior. If your remote is not working. Open it there is two batteries in side but if it is not working leave it and just use your key the alarm systems are nightmares plus if you have to get it reprogramed the dealer will charge 150+ for that job. But with that said they are fun to drive and wheel around in and the looks you get are kind of funny. I don't know if the looks are look its a Disco or how in the hell is that thing still running. HAHAHAHA

 

Update:

Truck leans to passenger side 3/4" in the front and 1/2" in the back. I read that springs are side specific - would really like to know where I can find that indication of PS vs. DS on the springs?

Cruise Control is not working - will look into that later.

May see how much radiator rodding would cost. I felt the radiator fins after driving around for a while and the radiator was noticably cooler towards the bottom. I am pretty sure the fan clutch is shot as the fan blades spin fairly freely whether or not the engine is hot. I have a new fan clutch and water pump in my garage and the clutch is very tough to get to slip even when cold so that tells me mine is garbage. I might just try replacing water pump and fan clutch and see if that takes care of the overheating problem without monkeying with the radiator. I'm curious to know how big of a job it is to pull that thing out? Looks like top/bottom hoses, about 4 I guess they are oil connectors and then two bolts and the thing should lift out - is that right?

Also the ball rotator things on the front wheels look shiney for part of them and then completely grimey all over the rest of the place. I might post a picture of those to see if they are normal looking or big red flags.

 

Welcome to being a rover owner. I love these trucks too. I just got done replacing the radiator, fan clutch, thermostat and temp. sensor. on my 98. It wasn't a terrible job. once you get the fan and shroud out of there and have some room to work it's pretty easy. i would get some pb blaster for the nuts on the radiator where the oil and transmission fluid lines connect though. i was able to get an aluminium radiator for about $235 shipped. that was my main problem. get one of those infrared thermometers from home depot and hit a few different spots on the radiator. if there is a difference of more than 10 degrees thats probably your problem.

 

you may also want to purchase an ultra gauge. i find it helpful to get real time info while driving. especially when i was overheating.