Hi,
I was wondering if anyone can detail the easiest method to remove the engine front cover on a 2001 Disco 2?
The cover gasket appears to be leaking, but I want to replace the water pump, oil pump, and timing chain while I am there. I think those are all in the same area?

Thanks!

 

Those are indeed all in the same area, do you have a copy of the RAVE (factory repair manual)? That will show you the "official" procedure, I'm not sure if there is an easier way. You'll have to remove the fan and fan clutch before you start removing the bolts- pay very close attention to the order and position they come out of. There are several that need to come out and there are a few different lengths. Use the search function because a while back there was a good post that had all of the holes and bolt lengths called out on a diagram.

 

Thanks. I have a old copy of RAVE on a CD somewhere. I will have to find it and take a look at it.
While I look for that, do you happen to know if this can be done with the vehicle at ground level, or does the vehicle have to be raised. I though I read somewhere the oil pan has to be dropped?
Thanks!

 

The proper way is to drop the oil pan to do the front cover because part of the gasket also seals to the bottom of the timing cover. You can probably remove the oil pan without a hoist if you have a small suspension lift however.

 

No hoist needed, just jack up the front of the truck so the suspension is at full droop. Make sure to use jackstands.

 

You will also need to unbolt the oil pickup tube...
And it's much easier to slide out the pan if you remove the front cross member.

 

Run engine for about 3-5min then shut off (reason why will be explained later)
Drain Coolant by either vacuum sucking it out or removing the lower hose
Drain Oil & remove filter
Remove Oil Pan (2 bolts are hidden) Disconnect oil pickup tube
Place a block of wood up against the crank and block
Use a 15/16 socket to loosen and remove harmonic balancer bolt & harmonic balancer
Remove Upper Fan shroud, serpentine belt, and fan clutch/fan blade, belt tensioner, and the 1 idler pulley
Start by attacking the 11mm head bolts on the water pump first. With the engine block slightly warm it should be easier to break them free. If they do not come free DO NOT go crazy they might be seized into the block. Heat is your friend here....
If those 11mm long bolts break free remove the remaining 10mm water pump bolts and give the water pump a wack with a rubber hammer (highly recommend a FlowKooler water pump btw!!).
Disconnect the 1 wire connector to the oil pressure switch, loosen the oil cooler lines, and start removing the 11mm bolts which hold the front timing cover on. It should then be free to remove.

That's not exactly every single thing, but it will get you far enough into it that you'll figure out the rest.