Looking at buying this disco 2 - misfiring issue
#1
11-17-2015, 02:20 PM
Looking at buying this disco 2 - misfiring issue
Hi I'm looking at buying this Discovery and would like some input:
2000 Land Rover Discovery Series II
I'll start off with that I'm pretty mechanically inclined. I have experience with replacing head gaskets and even swapping a whole engine and transmission, then figuring out how to make it work. This disco seems to be in pretty good condition and at the price would be a steal, but the #5 cylinder is misfiring and it needs a jump to start it. Given that it needs a jump to start, I would rule out something in the ignition since it should still be able to start of it was something minor. I would have to guess that it is leaking coolant into the cylinder since it has such a hard time starting. I don't know if this could be the result of overheating or if the headgasket is just something that needs a lot of replacement like some subarus. I am sure competent that I could replace this head gasket given it's a fairly simple V8 engine. Any opinions? I am currently saving for it so the purchase wouldn't be soon, just something I'm considering.
2000 Land Rover Discovery Series II
I'll start off with that I'm pretty mechanically inclined. I have experience with replacing head gaskets and even swapping a whole engine and transmission, then figuring out how to make it work. This disco seems to be in pretty good condition and at the price would be a steal, but the #5 cylinder is misfiring and it needs a jump to start it. Given that it needs a jump to start, I would rule out something in the ignition since it should still be able to start of it was something minor. I would have to guess that it is leaking coolant into the cylinder since it has such a hard time starting. I don't know if this could be the result of overheating or if the headgasket is just something that needs a lot of replacement like some subarus. I am sure competent that I could replace this head gasket given it's a fairly simple V8 engine. Any opinions? I am currently saving for it so the purchase wouldn't be soon, just something I'm considering.
#2
11-17-2015, 02:26 PM
It could be any number of things – the description of the problem is way too vague, and I'd avoid jumping to any conclusions. You'll need to do a hands-on inspection. HG failures are very common on these trucks, though.
In a way it's a red flag that there's not a more detailed description of what's up, as you'd expect someone who's trying to sell a vehicle would go for any non-serious repair that would get the thing into operating condition. The fact that they know it's a misfire on 5 tells me they probably got it diagnosed to get fixed but discovered it would be too expensive.
Tread carefully.
In a way it's a red flag that there's not a more detailed description of what's up, as you'd expect someone who's trying to sell a vehicle would go for any non-serious repair that would get the thing into operating condition. The fact that they know it's a misfire on 5 tells me they probably got it diagnosed to get fixed but discovered it would be too expensive.
Tread carefully.
#3
11-17-2015, 02:48 PM
Baja
Pull the plug and put your hand over it while someone cranks it,if your hand comes back wet drive away.
It could be any number of things – the description of the problem is way too vague, and I'd avoid jumping to any conclusions. You'll need to do a hands-on inspection. HG failures are very common on these trucks, though.
In a way it's a red flag that there's not a more detailed description of what's up, as you'd expect someone who's trying to sell a vehicle would go for any non-serious repair that would get the thing into operating condition. The fact that they know it's a misfire on 5 tells me they probably got it diagnosed to get fixed but discovered it would be too expensive.
Tread carefully.
In a way it's a red flag that there's not a more detailed description of what's up, as you'd expect someone who's trying to sell a vehicle would go for any non-serious repair that would get the thing into operating condition. The fact that they know it's a misfire on 5 tells me they probably got it diagnosed to get fixed but discovered it would be too expensive.
Tread carefully.
Last edited by drowssap; 11-17-2015 at 03:02 PM.
#4
11-17-2015, 03:26 PM
If it remains dry, I would investigate the plug wire feeding cylinder #5.
#5
11-17-2015, 08:21 PM
Super Moderator
Doubt the owner is going to let you wrench on it. I know when I was selling a 98 D1 I had several people look at it, and while it needed engine work it ran and drove. I let a possible buyer inspect it closer only to have them take it for a test drive longer than I told them, and in the end they over heated it, said oh it needs engine work... and promptly left..... I had to take a 500.00 loss on their ignorance/abuse so any future vehicles I sell I will not tolerate any under the hood tweaking, and I'll be in passenger seat during any test drive.
It could be a bad coil, bad ignition wire, bad voltage getting to the coil pack, or indeed head gaskets. Even if it is the head gaskets it's not the end of the world as long as it wasn't over heated, and the engine hasn't mixed oil/coolant (which is easy to check) if the oil is crystal clean the owner could be covering their tail and I would be suspicious, but if the oil is normal looking, check coolant level, check for hard upper radiator hoses, and white smoke at startup.
If you find proof of bad head gaskets tell the owner and see if they'd take 1k for it.
It could be a bad coil, bad ignition wire, bad voltage getting to the coil pack, or indeed head gaskets. Even if it is the head gaskets it's not the end of the world as long as it wasn't over heated, and the engine hasn't mixed oil/coolant (which is easy to check) if the oil is crystal clean the owner could be covering their tail and I would be suspicious, but if the oil is normal looking, check coolant level, check for hard upper radiator hoses, and white smoke at startup.
If you find proof of bad head gaskets tell the owner and see if they'd take 1k for it.
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