AK -

what is the basis for thinking you are ok once past 100K on a 2003. I bought one recently and have 105K on it and as far as I know the PO did not have engine replaced. Your reasoniing is the same I had when I bought it, but in the back of my head there is a bit of concern. I will be pulling the pan and cleaning uptake tube and flushing, using K&N filter and good oil.
I wis there was some way without complete service records to tell if it has been replaced.

 

Phil (Spike), you gave me some DARN good advice. I really like your suggestion of having a dealer do the work. I will explore that option!!

You are a great friend, Phil. Thank you.

Pat

 

No problem Pat, just trying to help.

Make suer that you have three colors and two trim levels that you like/want to help them narrow the search.
If you ask them to find only a white 2004 SE it will take much longer to get one.

 

Phil, I REEAALLY like the way white looks clean AND dirty.

Goll DANG that thing looks good clean.

I am about to start another "emergency priority" thread.

Pat

 

The vast majority of 2003s that have problems with the oil pump have them between 50k - 75k. The more miles over that 75k mark the more confident I would be that your particular engine is nt going to have problems. Keep in mind that not all 2003s had the oil pump failures. Even within the VIN range that was identified as bad there is not 100% failure rate. On the other hand, a few 2004s that supposedly were not involved with the defective engine have had the oil pumps fail.

Flushing the engine and using a good, preferably synthetic, oil is a good idea. K&N oil filters are fine, in fact my preference, but stay away from K&N air filters on a D2. The oil from the K&N air filter will destroy your MAF.

 

I have an 03 with 60k miles and i just completed Disco Mike's 60k miles service minus the plugs and wires. and like i said in another post, it runs so smooth that at red lights i glance at the rpm gauge to make sure its still on!! My vin is out of the range for the oil pump issue but who knows. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my 03 Discovery, I just wish it had CDL like the 04's. The 04 roof racks are sweet too. But other than that.. I'm really happy with it. I couldnt afford an 04 Discovery back in september 08 when i bought my 03 but if i could have, i would definitely have squeezed every dime i had to get an 04!! I dont mind adding the front output housing off a locking transfer case onto mine to make it lockable.

I plan to install an after market electric oil pressure gauge to monitor the oil pressure instead of having the oil light come on when its too late!!...

there is no fixing the oil pump issue except for a replacement engine but I dont mind changing an oil pump every 60k miles to save a couple thousands now...

 

Ran carfax and the dealer that I bought it from was the primary servicing dealer for the truck. No engine replacement.

 

Curious - Sounds like you got one of the good engines from 2003. Drive it, enjoy it and don't look back.

 

Hi all, newbee question, But I do all my own work and I'm looking into buying a disco and have read this thread, If I buy a 03 why can't you just change the oil pump prior to failure? Sorry for the dumb question being that I have not put a disco up on a lift and seen about dropping the oil pan....

 

Ive got a ok engine for a 03 to, almost to 98k only real probelms with the truck, replaced radiator at 23k, head gaskets at 95k.

The only fix is the full engine. i bealive if your check oil light comes on, and you pull over and stop within a short amount of time, the engine can be saved.