Thanks everyone for your quick replies...

I have solved the overheating problem-- My overflow tank for the radiator somehow developed a leak. I managed to quickly run low on coolant, hence the "all of a sudden" overheating issue. After replacing the tank and refilling with coolant, I haven't observed any issues since.

More of a back store on this Discovery. I am currently living in the Middle East, and just purchased the vehicle this autumn. It has arabic writing on the side view mirrors, so it might have originated in this region- I can't be sure. It's service history, etc is a complete mystery. The vehicle generally looks clean, but I find I'm learning more about it each day. No, I'm not a mechanical genius. I do like to tinker on cars when I can, but currently, my family is vehicullarly single-threaded, and I can't afford to have the vehicle sit in my garage for weeks waiting for parts. Furthermore, I don't have a garage! To the shop, I go!

I had a friendly mechanic (not a LR specialist) put it on a lift, and he quickly pointed out that my catalytic converters had been removed, along with my O2 sensors. Mysteries abound!

I'm going to have an independent LR shop take a look at the front drive shaft, and see if they can explain my 1st/2nd gear shift thumping.

Thanks again for the advice/wisdom/etc!!!

-Brad

 

Probably stolen! I bet they're worth some cash!