Buying a Disco II Pre- Checklist
#1
09-05-2018 | 05:08 PM
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1st Gear
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Buying a Disco II Pre- Checklist
Hello! I am soon to be entering the world of Land Rover ownership, and I was wondering if I could get some tips from the experts before buying. I have a family friend who is very meticulous with the preventative maintenance and repairs on his 2004 Land Rover Discovery Series II. He is selling it in the near future, and I am first on the list to purchase. (2004 LR Disco II with 113,000 miles, mostly garage kept).
Having said that, here is a short list of the repair highlights he gave me:
1. Head gaskets replaced and top of the engine rebuilt
2. Cam Lifter Heads Redone
3. New Radiator
4. Will need shocks in the coming months.
As a newbie, what else should I be questioning/looking at/ thinking about for cost of ownership in the near future? Basically if anyone has a list of "must checks" that would be fantastic. I'd like to make a well educated purchase.
Thanks and best,
Chad
Having said that, here is a short list of the repair highlights he gave me:
1. Head gaskets replaced and top of the engine rebuilt
2. Cam Lifter Heads Redone
3. New Radiator
4. Will need shocks in the coming months.
As a newbie, what else should I be questioning/looking at/ thinking about for cost of ownership in the near future? Basically if anyone has a list of "must checks" that would be fantastic. I'd like to make a well educated purchase.
Thanks and best,
Chad
#3
09-05-2018 | 07:18 PM
Depends on your level of preventative maintenance you want to do.
Recommended no matter what:
1. Inline thermostat mod
2. PCV mod
3. Check the driveshaft for grease nipples front and rear.
PM optional
1. Replace all coolant hoses.
2. Transmission fluid
3. Sunroof drain repair and seal if you want to do it before it starts leaking
4. Grease window tracks if you want to prevent roller breakage
2.
Recommended no matter what:
1. Inline thermostat mod
2. PCV mod
3. Check the driveshaft for grease nipples front and rear.
PM optional
1. Replace all coolant hoses.
2. Transmission fluid
3. Sunroof drain repair and seal if you want to do it before it starts leaking
4. Grease window tracks if you want to prevent roller breakage
2.
#4
09-08-2018 | 02:03 AM
Recovery Vehicle
Joined: Dec 2016
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The checklist I had for the one I have now was about 2 pages long- to include diagnostic equipment and drive test results. It was worth it as not only did it make it back from SoCal to UT, the machine has been darn near perfect after I resolved all the issues I found with... the checklist I made. 
#5
09-11-2018 | 01:38 AM
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 4
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From: Ohio
The checklist I had for the one I have now was about 2 pages long- to include diagnostic equipment and drive test results. It was worth it as not only did it make it back from SoCal to UT, the machine has been darn near perfect after I resolved all the issues I found with... the checklist I made.
Thank you.
#6
09-11-2018 | 02:44 AM
4wd Low
Joined: Aug 2018
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From: Bothell, WA
#7
09-11-2018 | 03:53 AM
Camel Trophy
Joined: May 2016
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From: Britainistan, UK
I've got long lengthy detailed list that I keep on my iPhone's Notes app. I keep adding to it at least twice a week.
I started with DiscoMike's list from the forum sticky and I keep adding from there when I find pertinent info from other forum member's posts.
I'd post the list but I don't want this to turn into another forum debate about what I need to use instead of what's on my list that I verified to work for my Disco 2.
I started with DiscoMike's list from the forum sticky and I keep adding from there when I find pertinent info from other forum member's posts.
I'd post the list but I don't want this to turn into another forum debate about what I need to use instead of what's on my list that I verified to work for my Disco 2.
#8
09-13-2018 | 09:23 PM
Recovery Vehicle
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 948
Likes: 296
In my opinion, the absolute most important thing to have is a gauge to measure real time temps for both during the test drive and any drive home. That will at least confirm you won’t be doing head gaskets or worse immediately.
Beyond that, starting on the undercarriage:
- driveshaft play (front and rear)
- suspension linkage bushings
- steering component play
- if possible check for wheel bearing play
- rust and leaks obviously
In the cab:
- ANYTHING electrical (door locks on each door, windows, sunroof operation, radio, defrosters, wipers, turn signals, horn, heated seats, lumbar support, power seat function)
- all the clips and everything holding anything together or covering up bolts or the like
- various lights (odo and clock bulbs are typical)
Under the hood:
- all the hoses and connectors and overall cleanliness
- obviously need to run codes- and if possible, not just OBD II codes, but D2 specific ones
- as mentioned, anything cooling related (fan clutch, hoses and the like, and see if there are cool spots on the radiator with others being hot)
- check to see if there is Dexcool (pink or orange) in the system and plan to flush if not
- make sure there is not power ATF in the power steering fluid reservoir and plan to flush to the correct stuff
I’d check the cruise control and all that as well.
That’s the abbreviated list I can come up with off the top of my head. Beyond this, just research the well known D2 issues and check for those too.
There’s a bunch of other stuff I’m forgetting, but this is a start. Obviously, I’d change every fluid in the vehicle as well (PS, brake, tranny, T case, diffs, coolant) as a matter of course in buying a new car.
Yep, a lot of work, but I have found once you do all that, they are pretty darn reliable.
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