The Three Amigos and check engine light lit up the dash.
So, I took the Disco to LR and they gave me this list and quoted about $6000.00. I'm fairly good with tools and figuring things out and am more concerned with the engine than the window regulators, etc. The problem I have is that another shop told me (sight unseen) that the gaskets were probably fine because I was still driving it. The question I have is if I change out the O2 sensors, plugs and wires should the lights go out and will I be able to pass an exhaust test? The biggest issue I have here in Nevada is passing smog for registration (if the check engine light is one - it's an automatic fail.)
I guess the second part I'm curious to know about, is how much of this really needs a shop to do? Or better, which parts should I avoid doing?

Front left wheel ABS speed sensor
Head Gaskets (plugs, wires, belt, coolant hose)
2 upstream O2 sensors
Timing cover, Water Pump, Crank Seal Gaskets Right Front Window Regulator Left/Right Door Latches Left Head Lamp Windshield (unheated is fine)

Thanks for any help.

 

HG are a big job, but definitely don't cost that much if you have them done at an independent shop, also is your truck overheating? Has it overheated? If it has then you might need to do more than just the HG. I am sure there are a few guys on here from Nevada so they'd be able to point you towards a reputable shop that can help.

Plugs, wires, belts and coolant hoses aren't that hard but will probably take you longer than a weekend to do (depending on your wrenching skill). Some ways to check the HG's is check if there is oil in the coolant, coolant in the oil. Coolant/sweet smell coming from the exhaust, any of the spark plugs look "wet" when you pull them out.

You can download the RAVE manual in my signature (it is what the LR techs use) and you can also search the tech section on more detailed explanations on what I gave you.

Good luck!

 

Nope, the truck doesn't overheat. Oil seems fine (occassional drip on the drive.) Coolant looks normal.
I changed the plugs and they came out "normal" too. No moisture. Some a bit "sooty" but not overly so.
If I take the time to change the plugs, wires and O2 Sensors (they mentioned just the upstream ones) think it would fix the smog inspection/check engine light problem?
I know its a bit difficult to "guess" but appreciate the insight.

 

The O2's and a tune up will probably fix the smog issues. You will need to erase the codes with a scanner though.

The timing cover gasket is not bad to do, once you get everything out of the way. The water pump has to come out for the timing cover gasket anyway, no biggie.

There is nothing on that list you can't do yourself if you follow the RAVE and have decent mechanical skills. It's just nuts and bolts. If you run into a problem just ask and someone can help.

Deal with one issue at a time and complete it, but be smart about it. If you don't have head gasket issues don't worry about them. Don't put hoses on and then take it apart again for the timing cover, plan to tear it down and assemble with the new parts and do the job once.

 

Also if you would like a second opinion, and you are in the Reno/Sparks area, contact Brian at British 4X4. Stand up guy that does great work. He has worked on Rovers for over 10 years. And his prices are very reasonable.

 

Buying this UltraGauge Automotive Information Center and OBDII Scan Tool also will help a lot. It gives you a digital read out of all your engine sensors and most importantly actual engine temp. The needle in the dash isn't very accurate and won't show you if your truck is running at 221F like mine was before I replaced the thermostat on Saturday. That temp was way too hot which told me the thermostat although still "working" was on it's way out.

 

When I bought my Disco 2 the three amigos were lit up. A condition of the sale was that the used dealer had to fix the truck so that the lights went off. He said it was just the ABS sensor on the front left. $100 later, the lights were off and haven't been back. Try that fix first, seems cheap and easy enough.

 

Call Bill at Kensington Motor Cars in Las Vegas. One of my Discoverys was making its was from San Diego to Utah. On the way, it had an overheating issue. I was in San Diego and it was there. Had it towed to Kensington on the recommendation of a few members of the Land Rover Club in Vegas and a few others on this forum. I found Bill to be honest, straightforward, fair and dependable. He charged me a fair price and did exceptional work. I highly recommend him based on my long-distance experience. Here is their contact info:

Phone: 702.222.04444
Fax: 702.222.4401

Address: 3871 S. Valley View Blvd. Unit #4
Las Vegas, NV 89103


good luck. A simple code read, with an "abs amigo" will indicate the reason for the three amigo lights. Get the codes read on the cel and you can figure out what is happpening with the emissions. Most of what you have described is bolt on bolt off stuff. Head gaskets for many are an exciting, fun weekend adventure. I did not share that enthusiasum. I had head gaskets done at a shop here in San Diego for $1200 ( paid a bit more for new plugs, wires and a few other extras) and another head gasket job on a different truck in Utah for $1600. That should give you an idea of a fair price for a head gasket job, if one is needed. Hope not. Good luck. Phil

 

Change your plugs, wires and front two 02 sensors, make sure you don't get cheap sensors get the oem bosch o2 sensors, trust me I learned the hard way. I bought cheap ones and a week later lights were back on like a xmas tree. Also a bg44k cleaning will help or you can do the seafoam injection treatment. Theres a link on here somewhere by jycsalas on how to do one yourself.

 

If you haven't bought this truck, I would probably pass it up. There is no way I would buy a truck that right off the bat has a 6000 dollar repair bill. It's going to turn into a 10k truck real quick.