I just picked my first Disco 2. 2003 with 168,000 miles. I don't know many details of its past but it is relatively clean. I suspect it sat for some time with a broken front axle. (a new axle and new tires were advertised when I bought it and it had that smell of a car that has not had fresh air in it for some time.) I drove it home from San Diego area to Idaho. No issues except it had no power. Seriously, it had a hard time getting up normal freeway hills. I have run a couple tanks of gas with sea foam in it and it has gotten tons better but still not there. I plan to get to the fuel rails soon and clean them out real well. The engine sounds real good, no missing, no hesitation, exhaust isn't foul.

It has started a shuddering type of thing though when accelerating past 25mph until over 45-50. The shifts seem to be good but can there be something I should do Transmission-wise?

Brakes are good. (3 amigos come on intermittently, I bought a proper scanner and have a plan for resolution) I plan on putting some engine oil treatment in before changing the oil again soon. What else should I check more thoroughly? Is there anything to check at the transfer case? Are there linkages that need maintenance or greasing?

 

 

^ don't mind him, he's upset that he hasn't learned how to fix them, yet.
Good luck with the truck you got a lot of service to catch up to. Read the stickies in the D2 section. Check out the driveshaft really well make sure it's not causing the vibration about to take a transmission out. Look at your motor mounts, at that mileage. your tires could be causing the vibration, That would be my guess (balance and tire issues come in and out at speeds, usually), but who knows how many miles you have on the springs and everything else. You get a lot of carbon buildup in there and 168k.
Welcome.

 

Carbon buildup and flattened cam lobes. You don't mention a check engine light. Is yours definitely working? Does it light up when you turn the key on before you start the engine? The reason I ask is that engine power issues that are caused by ignition or fuel system problems are usually accompanied by a check engine light and some codes.

 

Absolutely check the front drive shaft. If you're new to rovers do a quick search on Discovery front drive shaft....if it's got any play in it, don't drive it until fixed.

There's a "Major Service" sticky thread at the top of this forum. Great info in there for a new owner.

Just for fun, you might take it to a tuffy/midas type place that will do free inspections. I wouldn't be talked into doing any work before you come back here with the results.

Tire balance and motor/tranny mounts are a good idea to check. You can get a decent amount of the shudder from either. I've had some issues like that that ended up being 3 or 4 of the mounts were bad and a new front drive shaft. Smooth as can be now.

Take these issues one at a time. It's easier to get answers if it's one topic at a time.

 

Does your check engine light work? I'll be it doesn't and that shuddering you're feeling is misfiring.

My 2003 with 33" tires had no problem going highway speeds.

 

Congrats! These things rock! Just picked up my first also. Went out just last night and put it through some trails, creeks, etc.(we've had rain for about a week here) I'm hooked.

 

The check engine light does work. I can not detect any misfiring. The engine sounds really good. I am going to start with all the gear oil changes. Then oils and tranny flush. Thanks for all the tips. especially the Sticky on Major Service from Disco Mike.

Engine got new spark plugs, New tires(city tires), and an "oil change" before I picked it up. Don't what kind of oil went in and the filter looks like it is NOT new.

I'll resurrect this thing yet.

 

Sitting for awhile and lacking power, I would make sure to replace the fuel filter.

 

Unfortunately the only filter on a V8 D2 is in the pump.

The D2 pumps do seem to last a lot longer. It makes me wonder if that's because there is no filter to clog and cause the pump to over heat.