Engine Replacement or Not
 

Thanks in advance for your assistance, the people in this Forum are amazing.

Our 2003 Discovery S model has been having intermittent cooling problems. It would use reserve coolant about every six months and run hot when the coolant got low. I checked the level about 2 months ago and it was OK. I wished I'd checked it again sooner.

My wife was driving the truck two days ago and the temperature gauge spiked then went to bottom followed by an oil light blink and …. wait for it … engine stopped. This all happened in about a half mile so I can’t be too hard on her, plus if I say “you should have shut it down” again, I’ll be looking for a new wife and I am too ugly and old for that.

My mechanic and I think the motor has seized. He hasn"t tried to manually crank it or open it up yet but we’re pretty sure it is FUBAR.

My question is do you think we should buy a new motor for it or sell it off as a project or scrap. We’d love to keep it but its only worth about 5K and I think that is about what it will cost to do the job. If I can break even, I'd be willing to try. Our plan was to keep it about another 4 years.

The Disco has 95K on her but is in excellent condition.

Any insights or opinions on this dilemma are appreciated. Has anyway has done this or knows the cost? Any suggestions on where to buy a new motor would be helpful too.

Thanks
Scott
2003 Disco with dead engine
2006 LR3

I hope you learned your lesson, never ever keep driving a Rover when you have a coolant leak.
You won't get much for it by parting it out, I would go for a good, guaranteed used local engine and start being more responsible about checking fluids for both this and your LR3.
If you need help locating a used engine shout back.

Thanks Mike!
Yes and anyone reading this, learn from my mistake.

I would DIY if at all possible. Even if you have to buy an engine stand and crane from HF (and then sell them on CL) you will be all in for under 2k. Its all just nuts and bolts.

Same thing happened with my Rover and the previous owner. I went to a local shop and had them put in an engine with 60k for $4,500. ($3,500 for the engine and $1,000 in labor).
Keep us updated. Best of luck :)

I replaced my engine earlier this year with an 04 4.6 with 33k on it. The motor was 3k, I installed it myself. I spent another $100 or so on the inline thermostat mod to help prevent temp fluctuation. This is cheaper option than buying another vehicle but there is always the possibility of getting a bad engine and taking more time labor and money than you're willing to spend on it.

Thanks to everyone for your assistance. I'm still on the fence but researching the price on the new install. Thanks!

Well, you haven't mentioned where you live, but I have a good friend that has close to a dozen different crate engine as well as a couple used, so if you want some help, shout.

Thanks for all of the information. I decided to sell it to a close friend who can do the work himself. He is going to try and drop diesel in it. At least it hasn't gone far, I could not have salavaged it b/c it was in excellent condition. We still have the LR3, checking the fluids Mike : ) , and we'll take them both off road when the project is complete. If he does the diesel, I'll have him keep you updated. He belongs to this forum. Thanks again.

You can't install a diesel into a D2 unless you also replace the tranny and t/case or go to the UK and buy a diesel ECU and BCU then have them programmed, all of which is not worth it on an 03 with no CDL.