Purchased my first LR yesterday. 2000 DiscoII w/ 121k miles with blown head gasket. Previous owner purchased at 90k, so I don't have maint logs prior to that.

I'm very handy. I do all my own car work on my other vehicles (96 Impala SS, GMC cargo van) and belong to the Impala forum so I'm not asking you to tell me where to look on the forum. I've downloaded the LR and 4.0L manual. The forum here is extensive, lots of good tips so thank you all.

My question- When I do the head gasket, should I do the timing chain, oil pump and crank sensor? For ease, should I just pull the whole engine and work on it outside of the vehicle or is HG reasonable inside the vehicle? I have 11 days off at Christmas so "slow and steady" will be my pace.

If I do pull the engine, what else do you recommend? I've heard Preventative maintenance on these is key so any advice is appreciated.

 

No need to pull the engine. Just grab the Rave Manual and dig in. I did the thermostat & water pump while I had mine apart. It kind of depends on the vehicle & what has been done prior. I'm sure others will chime in w/ their experiences.

 

Here are the gory details

Flickr: Landroverdude2's Photostream

Did the head gaskets in the parking lot.

also see

1997 Land Rover replace catalytic converter and head gaskets

For engine codes try this site:

http://enginecodemaster.com

Good luck with your job on the Head Gaskets.
Just a lot of work really.

 

Thanks! Lots of good info. The pictures are a great help too.

 

You will want a new set of 8 mm silicone wire , like STI's or Magnacors. new 180 degree spring t/stat, coolant cap along with you head gasket set and 20 new stretch bolts for the heads.
As for the options, a timing chain would be good along with an oil pump repair kit and don't for get to inspect the water pump.

 

While you are at it, there will be a point where you can actually get to the test port on the fuel injection rail, so you can do a pressure test of fuel pump. Reverse flush the heater core. Main rad may be sludged up, uneconomical to repair. If oil pan off clean pickup screen and replace O-ring for pickup tube, loctite on bolt threads that hold it in. New flat screen with surround sound for garage, allows laptop with RAVE to be seen from a distance between touch downs...