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this may seem ridiculous but hear me out. I recently bought a Disco 2003 HSE 7 in not great condition, it’s got just over 100k miles, over the last few months I’ve had head gasket replaced, oil filter, cylinder bolts, spark plugs, thermostat, front crank seal, water temp sensor, radiator, throttle body heater, oil pan gasket, coolant, exhaust flange gaskets, valves and a bunch of other big things... I spent a lot of money and it runs fine.
I live in LA and after all that work I’m now moving to NYC!!!!!! I’m the adventurous type and not ready to say goodbye to it after all that work so gonna attempt driving it the 3000 miles cross country!!
It it has a few drops of oil under the oil filter, I’ve been told it’s the sealing, but engines fine, mechanics think I’m nuts but keep my eye on my levels .........
i know this trip may kill this car and if I were smart I’d trade it in for something low mileage and safe, but where’s the fun in that, ey?! As I want to sleep in the back too!!
SO ..... dear forum friends.... what would you do to prepare this old car for 3000 miles?! And what would you take?! And and all info would be greatly appreciated?
My only concern would be that oil leak - but if it is truly a drip or 2 a day I would drive it. The serpentine belt take a spare, if it did not get replaced with everything else.
But a this point you have done what you can, it is all up to murphy and the odd gods of the universe as to how well your trip goes.
If everything goes perfect and boring great, any thing else is an adventure and a story to tell a round a few beers.
My only concern would be that oil leak - but if it is truly a drip or 2 a day I would drive it. The serpentine belt take a spare, if it did not get replaced with everything else.
But a this point you have done what you can, it is all up to murphy and the odd gods of the universe as to how well your trip goes.
If everything goes perfect and boring great, any thing else is an adventure and a story to tell a round a few beers.
haha I agree completely! Re; those drips! I mean it is dripping and there is a leak from the oil filter casing that leaves a tiny coaster size splash on the floor when you **** the engine off.... but if you keep an eye on the levels - check every morning ... that should be fine I’d think!! Fingers crossed 😂
3,000 highway miles aren't that bad on an engine. It's the in town driving that does more damage. Once you're up to speed the engine is just cruising along. Stop/Start is where things get nasty. That's why people don't mind a vehicle with highway miles on it vs a vehicle with city miles on it.
I'd make a small little break down kit with a spare serpentine belt, spare bulbs, spare fuses, and maybe even a spare spark plug wire. Then I'd carry a few spare quarts of oil, some water/coolant, and before leaving make sure everything is topped off, air in the tires (including the spare), and hit the road. Then just check it every morning before you head out to continue on your journey.
All my D2's are either nearly 20 years old, or well over 100K, and I'd hop into either the 99 with 106K or the 02 with 230K on it tomorrow if I could and head for the Pacific NW or Moab, UT.
They're both like older aircraft, you have to keep em in shape, and all the fluids topped off, but once they're going down the road there is nothing like driving a LR across the country. The raised seating is excellent, the ride is still very good even by modern standards IMHO vs newer much more $$$$ SUV's.
I say check everything & hit the road and have fun.
About the oil leak I'd check the 7/8 Bolt/Cap above the oil filter on the 03-04's without oil cooler's those have been known to seep if not fully tightened down. I've fixed several oil leaks on 03-04's by just tightening those up. Once is directly above the oil filter assembly, and the other is toward the front of the engine just behind the main engine pulley/Harmonic Balancer, on the front timing cover.
We've done several longer winter trips in the last few months in my 03. From the Seattle area up into BC Canada, all over WA and parts of Idaho. Checked fluids was all. Even tossed in a hard off roading day with many recoveries right before a week long trip. Been a great road trip rig.
Help with preparing Disco for a big journey
