About a month ago, I bought a 1996 Discovery with 55,000 mi. Being that our trucks are not known for being the most reliable, I was wondering if those of you who are familiar with them could give myself and other new owners some tips and tricks for keepin their Disco's running smooth. We already know to change the oil and air filters, but what else do you experienced owners reccomend? Thanks for the info!

 

Well a good warranty is a good place to start and it looks like you too are ready for the 60 service. Here it is courtesy of DiscoMike if you havn't already seen it. In general you can't dip out on maintenance or you'll be in big trouble. You'll have unforeseeable problems pop up regardless. And never let the rover overheat. And always use 91+ octane. And never, ever, ever start a sentence with the word and.

This is the parts list for a 60,000 mile service the way I do it.
1 Oil filter , K&N 3001
1 Air filter
1 Transmission filter kit
6 Qts of engine oil
12 Qts of ATF
7 Qts of 80/90W gear oil
2 Qts of Brake fluid
2 Qts of synthetic Power steering fluid
2 Gallons of OAT, orange coolant
1 Bottle of Lucas Power Steering additive
1 Bottle of Lucas Transsmission additive
1 Can of Spray Carb Spray
1 Can Of Brake cleaner
8 Spark Plugs, I use Bosch Platium Plus 4's
1 Set of Magnacor 8mm plug wires
1 Serpentine belt if not yet replaced
2 Bottles of SeaFoam


60,000 Mile Service
Bleed the brakes
Flush and change the power steering fluid adding one bottle of additive
Service the tranny adding one bottle of additive
Flush the coolant system
Do an engine flush before changing the oil
Do an induction cleaning
Clean the throttle body
Add fuel additive to full gas tank
Change both od the diffs fluid
Change the t/case oil
Replace the plugs and wires
Replace the air filter
Lube all the drive shaft grease fitting including the 2 slip shafts
Do full inspection of brakes, hoses, bushings etc.

 

God, my list of goodies just keep showing up.
On that 96, you need to do everything on this list as you can.
You bought a 12 year od Disco with very low mileage, that is great now, change everything out and listed and get at least twice that mileage out of it.
If you have any questions get back to me.

 

Check the owners manual and follow it , if you got the service records check to see if yours has
had the SRS *air bags* checked, it was due at 10 years.

The other safety item is the brake line replacement at 10 years.

Check all the hoses mine at 10 years all started to need replacement.

There was a gas tank recall a few years ago check to see if yours was done.
If it wasn't, then its done spend the few extra $ and have the tank vent line and the filler
gas line replaced.

Dielectric grease is your best friend, get some and full every electric plug you can find
this will stop most of the ghosts in the system.

Find a water pump as yours has few miles on it and its driving will change it may start to leak,
they can be found for a $100.

The 96 is easy to work on and not as finicky as later models, as its not as upscale with everthing
electric.