Dive in or cut my losses and get out?
Consider a budget, because even though most parts are pretty cheap, they add up quick.
I have over $3k in parts rebuilding my 4.6
Picture a woodstove, and a wheelbarrow full of cash.
Now, start shoveling the cash into the fire...that's a D2.
It's Really Easy to go down the rabbit hole on these, plan accordingly.
I have over $3k in parts rebuilding my 4.6
Picture a woodstove, and a wheelbarrow full of cash.
Now, start shoveling the cash into the fire...that's a D2.
It's Really Easy to go down the rabbit hole on these, plan accordingly.
For some contrast I'm at about $4,550 and that includes 2 trucks (one with a shot frame). My daily has 5 brand new 265/65-18 Wranglers, a freshened 4.6L with all new gaskets/pumps, radiator and greasable front driveshaft, and fluids throughout. Aside from the tires and Wilderness rack it's cosmetically stock. At this point everything in the truck works as it should inside and out, with the exception of the Hi/Lo and Diff Lock switches in the TC. My time is a considerable investment in my happiness, I love this ****.
I always tell noobs that you should have a maintenance budget/fund of $2000 per year on a D2 if you have all the work done at shops. That includes wearable items like tires, brakes, suspension, etc.
Speaking as a 13 year/200k mile owner I can personally vouch for that amount of maintenance on average. There will be years you don't need to spend anything then head gaskets or cracked block comes up and bingo... you are back on the average.
Of course doing your own work will cut the cost significantly but the maintenance issues will still be there.
Speaking as a 13 year/200k mile owner I can personally vouch for that amount of maintenance on average. There will be years you don't need to spend anything then head gaskets or cracked block comes up and bingo... you are back on the average.
Of course doing your own work will cut the cost significantly but the maintenance issues will still be there.
Well....had a heart to heart today with my son and he says he's in. Hard to sell it with a known major leak, so either we end up with a running vehicle or we find out its time to part it out and take our losses. I'm thinking about waiting to order anything until after we get it apart since it will likely take some effort to clean everything up and get the heads checked.
I truly appreciate all the advice and info. To be honest, I probably would not have even considered taking this on except for the wealth of knowledge in this forum and willingness of the members here to help each other as well as the newbies out.
I'll let you know how it goes, we are planning to start taking it down this weekend.
Next question: Is there anything else we should plan to take care of while we have it down (assuming it goes well)? Going back through the receipts again, I don't see where the water pump, timing chain or oil pump have been touched. Although it looks like the valve covers may have been worked on at 20k and 37k miles which seems a bit troublesome.
I truly appreciate all the advice and info. To be honest, I probably would not have even considered taking this on except for the wealth of knowledge in this forum and willingness of the members here to help each other as well as the newbies out.
I'll let you know how it goes, we are planning to start taking it down this weekend.
Next question: Is there anything else we should plan to take care of while we have it down (assuming it goes well)? Going back through the receipts again, I don't see where the water pump, timing chain or oil pump have been touched. Although it looks like the valve covers may have been worked on at 20k and 37k miles which seems a bit troublesome.
I have posted complete PM and normal failure list several times, I recommend you look them up.
Keep asking questions.
Preventative maintenance is much easier and cheaper than repairs. Planned repairs for items than cannot be prevented will be cheaper than last minute emergencies.
Yes, yes, and yes. The cost of the parts is minimal. Valve covers can be difficult to get seated correctly, and a gummed up crankcase breather will exacerbate the problem. Shouldn't be a concern. Congrats on deciding to forge ahead. If nothing else, should you decide to part ways with the truck at least you'll do it after going to the mat with it. Mano a mano, the man in the black pajamas, worthy effing adversary and all that. If you conquer this truck you will be rewarded with a sense of accomplishment unlike many others. Discos seem to be pretty tolerant of first timers and not complicated in the grand scheme of things. This should turn out to be a pretty good adventure for the two of you. Take your time, read A LOT, ask a LOT of questions and you'll be fine. The stuff I have read on this site makes me think monkeys could fix these things. If I didn't know better I'd say they put them together in the first place.
Oh, and if you haven't yet, get a copy of the RAVE, the Electrical Library and the ETM. Both of you should read them every day. Read about what's coming up, reread what you've already done, read what you don't envision ever doing.
After thinking about this some more, I think the BEST advice I can give you is to have your son get an account here on the forum. Get him asking the questions and interacting with the braintrust. I've seen this happen a couple times on BMW forums. It will empower him and change his world in more ways than one. Force him (gently) to use his own brain while you hang back and let him front-end this thing. You be the guidance out in the garage behind the actual wrench turning. Repeatedly dragging him out there to play second fiddle to your program will play out in a completely different way, and not necessarily in a good one.
Oh, and if you haven't yet, get a copy of the RAVE, the Electrical Library and the ETM. Both of you should read them every day. Read about what's coming up, reread what you've already done, read what you don't envision ever doing.
After thinking about this some more, I think the BEST advice I can give you is to have your son get an account here on the forum. Get him asking the questions and interacting with the braintrust. I've seen this happen a couple times on BMW forums. It will empower him and change his world in more ways than one. Force him (gently) to use his own brain while you hang back and let him front-end this thing. You be the guidance out in the garage behind the actual wrench turning. Repeatedly dragging him out there to play second fiddle to your program will play out in a completely different way, and not necessarily in a good one.


