This is a great site with lots of info, thanks. Just picked up a 03 Disco in the VIN range for a song. Great shape and I knew about the problems going in, thanks to this forum. It runs great and when the engine is cold it is quiet as can be, however when it starts to warm up to operating temp, a ticking sound is heard and then becomes a little louder as time goes by. I only hear the sound at idle, once I pull past 1500rpms the noise is gone and all is quiet again. Should be able to do the 4 pressure tests this weekend, any other tips? I am going to drain the oil (looks clean) and put a new filter on. PO has a cheap Fram on which I have never cared for. I noticed some people have mentioned doing an flush and pull the pan which i will do this weekend.

 

Dont bother with the engine flush and dropping the oil pan.
Change the oil, use a 10w-40 and then check the oil PSI and let us known what you find.
8 PSI at idle is the bare minimum.

 

Check your cats. They may be breaking up inside. Use a stethoscope to isolate noise. If you dont have one, a rubber hose in the ear works. You may have to block the othe rear but I wouldnt know cause Im deaf in 1 ear anyway. I had a similar problem, turned out to be the cat.

 

Good call, after changing oil, checking the oil pressure and getting close to 49-50psi cold and 35-39 at warm 2000rpm and idle i was scratching my head, well after a few days of driving I do believe its the one of the cats, after tapping on them now the sound comes and goes and is really only noticeable when i have some sort of vibration, like putting it into gear while holding the brake.

Another quick question? where does the temp gauge rest at its normal operating temp? my gauge seems to rest slightly above the middle mark. It never rises past that nor flucuates, besides when cold. Checked the coolant, no bubbling, smells, etc.. I shot my fluke IR heat measurement gun at the coolant and it came back around 190-195, I test the block and that came back at 219 but that may be off because of the manifolds.

 

The temp gauge should be right in the middle depending on the calibration of it.
The only way to know for sure what the engine temp is is with a OBDII scanner that reads live data.
You can buy one or rent one.

 

Hello, I don't mean to sound stupid...just an amateur here but love my Disco II.....what do you mean by "cats"?.....i apologies ahead of time...LOL

 

Small furry animals with long tails and sharp claws: ) Sorry I couldn't resist, he is talking about the catalytic converters.

 

meow>>>>>

 

They are the big round muffler looking things.

http://www.roverparts.com/Parts/WCD105870.cfm