Hi everyone,
I'm new to the forum but not new to land rovers. I've had 2 discos and a range rover. I'm looking at buying a 2002 disco for a steal of a price. I'm told it had a severe oil leak from a bolt between the oil filter and the oil pan. I attached a photo of the bolt. Is there supposed to be something else there or is it just the wrong bolt?
Thanks in​​ advance.
Matt

 

I'm not certain, but that looks like a blanking plug on the front cover (oil pump/timing cover). I believe this blank covers the hole where the truck might be fitted with an optional oil cooler line. If that really is where the leak is coming from you're looking at a new o-ring (part #MDY100080L) and possibly a new blanking bolt (part # LGY100080).

There's also a chance that the leaks is from a cracked timing cover. This happened to me when one of these lines was over-torqued, and it split the cover. Not a cheap fix, but the truck might be worth it if it's in otherwise good condition!

Other things in that area that are good candidates for a leak:
-O-ring on the oil filter adapter
-Oil pressure switch
-Timing cover gasket

 

Thank you. I removed the bolt that was in there and it was definitely the issue. It is the blanking plug for the optional oil cooler lines.

I found a new plug and it stopped the leak completely. I attached a photo of the bolt the previous owner out in to "stop" the leak. Prepare yourself, you are going to laugh pretty hard while shaking your head. I bought it for $400 with 108k miles because of a severe oil leak. $5.01 later, it is fixed.

 

Agree with everything CameraDan said. That is not the correct bolt, but they can be bought at auto parts stores. It is similar to other drain plug bolts. Good luck with the deal.

 

I tried to reply yesterday with a photo and it hasn't gone through. They installed a 1/2" lag bolt in there to try to "stop" the leak. I installed an expansion plug because the threads were all jacked. It seems to be working really well for the last few days. Not a drop of oil on the driveway.

 

 

it wasn't leaking, it was marking it's territory

 

That is amazing...luckily the PO didn’t crack the front cover trying to get that log bolt snugged up

 

Amazingly, it was held in there with the gasket maker. Maybe one thread grabbed. I definitely stole this disco.