I found a very clean '04 Discovery, just over 100k. I have been searching quite a while till I found this one. It already has a nice lift and brand new set of wheels and 33" tires. Drive shaft has already been rebuilt.

Went to test drive yesterday and fired it up and right away noticed a knocking tick. He has an ultra gauge installed so checked the temp and was right at 120*, so not cool but definitely not operating temp. He said that it had been sitting parked for 10 hours after work. He said that he was not concerned with the "tick as most rovers have this sound". He said that he had no issue with me bringing a mechanic or taking it to a shop to have it looked at but not knowing any Land Rover specific mechanics figured I would turn to the experts on the board.

It gradually got louder sounding like mostly under the passenger side but could not pinpoint it down to an exact location.

Drove fine, decent power considering lift and tires. It idled with both acs on for 10 mins while we looked at it and chatted a bit, never got over 200*.
Reading up quite a bit today it seems like it could be a number of things. Exhaust leak, crankshaft bearing, cat. converter, head gasket, slipped sleeve. Other than the typical, water in oil, oil pressure, and compression is there anything else I should check? I have been around cars quite a bit, but very green when it comes to Rovers. Not afraid to get my hands dirty but also do not want to get too deep in a new purchase. As far as price he is asking $6500...

THANKS IN ADVANCE GUYS, glad I found a new place to call home once I finally acquire a Rover!

 

$6500 sounds like a reasonable price for a mint 2004 with 100k if the head gaskets have been replaced. I paid $3500 for a 2001 with new head gaskets and 153k. Otherwise tell him it's a $2000 fix coming soon (even though we all know you'll do it yourself).

About the knock. This is a pickle. Is it a knock or a tick? From what I have read if it's the sleeve it'll get louder as the engine heats up but go away at high rpm (as the sleeve can't move as fast as the piston). Check that. If it's a "tick" from the passenger side, mine has that, so does a gazillion others. I've opened it up and took the advice of many here and decided not to spend into a black hole chasing it. Good luck and welcome to the forums!

 

Slipped sleeve - more of a tick than a knock.
Low sound knock - may be worn crank or rod bearings.

If the person is running thin synthetic oil, then just putting in 20W-50 regular non synthetic may make the knock a lot less in volume or kill off the knock completely.

 

when running right rovers do not make a knock/tick so he is BSing about that.

 

Looking around for quite a while this one was as close to mint as it gets to what is out there.

I will have to check on what oil he is running.
All I have read about the slipped sleeve was that it is quiet till higher temps which allow the sleeve to free from the block. This seemed to appear as soon as it was started.
If nothing else the noise may be a good bargaining tool.

 

I've seen 04s in good shape with no mods sell for $2500.


I think $6500 might be high even if it didn't have a knock.

 

If you are not ready to spend $3000 or so for a good used engine installed, which is cheap, stay away from that truck

 

That is a steal. Been looking for 6 months +/- and haven't seen any in Texas or surrounding for less than $5000 for a clapped out truck.

 

PM'd you.

 

Obviously, that's because everything is bigger in Texas.