So I bought a 2000 Disco II 6 months ago from someone who claimed to work for Landrover. I even picked it up at the Landrover dealership. Since I bought it, the ACE pump went out, went through 3 serpentine belts and finally it appears that the fan clutch has taken out my fan shaft and bearing, draining all of the coolant. Enough griping.
My question is what is the best recipe for parts replacement to clear out all of the problem areas of this 2000 since the guy I bought it from appears to have left it up to me to get it running. I have had it 6 months and have been stranded 4 times and has sat most of that time in my repair shop. Have fun with this one and let me know what you think.

 

A 30.00 water pump, and some new idler pulleys? It's a used car and it's 20 years old. Unless the tech that owned it kept up with stuff it will continue to have issues until you get on top of the normal wear n tear stuff plus items which are 20 years old.

Any vehicle I buy used no matter who made it = I always put $$$ aside to repair things, or get it back to being a solid vehicle. It NEVER fails to amaze me how people can blow $1,500.00 on a HG job, but they won't spend 30.00 on the thermostat which is full of sludge from the OEM Dexcool which caused the darn issue in the first place!

 

Replace the entire cooling system. Everything plastic, plus the water pump. PCV mod, inline thermostat mod.

 

Thanks man, I appreciate that. Is there is recipe for the Disco II you like to follow to clean up the problems to become solid again? I want to be as efficient as I can to avoid alot of future mistakes. Thanks for your help!

 

Thank You! Will do!

 

@drjimcarlson Unfortunately there is no magic checklist but a couple other other things to do:

• Have the fluids in the transfer case and differentials replaced
• Have the transmission serviced - they say it is a lifetime but I figure after 20 years a second service is not a bad idea
• Have your drive shaft U joints checked by a drive shaft shop and replace if required with ones that have grease points (all u joints and shaft) and grease every oil change and after any off road trips involving water
• Check all the hard lines in teh engine compartment that nylon gets brittle with age and heat
• Flush your brake fluid it get old too

And if you do not have one get a ODB device to monitor your actual engine temps, the dash gauge is functionally an idiot light.

 

Great advice, Thanks, this is very helpful!

 

Flush brake lines, power steering and coolant. New fluids everywhere. O2 sensors. Brakes. Hoses and belts. And DeOxit electrical contact cleaner on ALL electrical plugs you come across. Clean all grounding points and dielectric grease.

 

I have 5 in the driveway at the moment. #14, 15, and 16 along with #1 and #11. There is a magic list. How much of it you do depends a lot on the service history before you got it and how much risk you are willing to take. I have steadily upgraded my system and customers do not generally like to take any risk, so #14, 15, and 16 will have lots of new.

1. Entire cooling system
2. CPS
3. Head gaskets if not done in the last 70k
4. Front driveshaft if not fully greasable.
5. PCV Mod
6. Inline thermostat mod
7. Grease door window tracks
8. Grease sunroof motors, look up my post on sealing sunroof leaks (not just caulking them shut.)
9. Check gear fluids, no need to change.
10. New Starter if not done in last 120k
11. Idler pulleys if not done in the last 120k
12. PS Pump gasket
13. Master Cylinder if not done in last 50k
14. Lube rear door latch handle
15. If you live in salt country, clean frame, spray with rust converter, then coat with fluid film.
16.

Ask me questions. Some things fail due to age, some due to wear/use, some never or rarely.

 

Thanks man, That is perfect! Exactly what I was looking for. It appears since I had many troubles after I bought it that few on the list were done. I have two Discos in the drive now one is the 2000 I spoke of here and a 2003 also. I really like the trucks and the fact that they are a more affordable off road vehicle than the Defender allows folks who may not have the bigger bucks to enjoy some quality on or off roading. If I sell them, I want to be sure I have went through them so the new owner can enjoy it without too much hassle and that I have covered all or most of the common pitfalls with the older Discos. I really appreciate your comments, you guys are amazing!