Hey All!

Tomorrow I'm going to look at two different 2003 Discoverys. Ones an SE7 with 72k for milage, and the other is an SE with 42k. Both are at a Land Rover dealer and the SE7 comes with some sort or powertrain warrenty.

What are somethings that I should look for. Both are asphlat queens so they should be offroad virgins.

 

2003 models are known for catastrophic engine issues. There is a list of VINs that are known for the issue, although some outside of those on the VIN list have also had the issues. It has to do with machining on the block for the oil pump. Some have had the engines replaced and should be okay, however, I would look at a 2004 if it fits your price range. The 2004 has a center locking differential that many find desirable. Good Luck, by the way, what part of the country are you in? Phil

 

ljdiscovery,

Thanks for the reply. Yikes! That's pretty bad. I'm in Oshkosh Wisconsin, so the Midwest. The one with the warrenty is sounding good already and I haven't even looked at either. The two 03's that they had were the only ones listed on their site. So I'm sure that's all they have. I'll know more tomorrow but it's not looking to good. Damn the luck.

I'll have to try and find a link for the list of VIN's when I get home (hard to do on a phone)

 

do a search on this site, there is a plethora of info on the 2003 models. Good Luck. Phil

 

I just found it. It states between 3A77xxxx-3A80xxxx. Turns out the higher mileage one is outside the VIN range 3A81xxxx. But is this a for sure thing though is the question... Hmmm

 

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...lrna_tsb-1.jpg

 

My personal 03 Disco HSE falls within the oil pump range. As for me, I really didn't care as I got the color combination I wanted with the options that I wanted at the right price.

I have a hard line oil pressure gauge and a ScanGauge installed so I can monitor oil pressure.

As of right now, it has 75,200 miles and is running as smooth as silk after a glorified DiscoMike 60k mile tuneup except for a noisy A/C blower motor.

IF, and IF my engine craps out before I get around to changing the oil pump/front cover, I'll just throw in the 5.0 HO engine from ToddCo.

 

Not all 03s that fall within the bad VIN will suffer the oil pump failure. And unfortunately just because a particular VIN is outside that range doesn't necessarily mean it won't happen either. I have heard numerous reports of 04s suffering catastrophic oil pump failure while the TSB applied specifically to the 03 model year. A power train warranty more than likely will not cover the cost of a replacement engine should it suffer from this failure so I wouldn't pay extra for the warranty without the president of the company issuing the warranty swearing on a stack on bibles that it will be covered. Land Rover never issued a recall for these defective engines, only a technical service bulletin to let everyone know the problem exists in some vehicles.

 

I got an 04 that had 38k on it. At this point it’s a labor of love I guess. I have had it for only a year and already had to pay over $4,000 in repairs. Fan clutch broke, thermostat fell apart resulting in head gasket failure, drivers side power window regulator, sunroof failure, all the plastic fasteners and body parts are deteriorating. It would make a good project car if I was a mechanic and had the tools and time. If it was up to me I would make it a weekend only car for off-roading, camping and what have you. Defiantly not quality enough for a daily driver

 

I personally feel that all 4.6L engines are junk, I know for a fact that there are various other ford related vehicles out there with the 4.6L engines and they are failing just like all of our 03's and 04's... I just replaced my front cover due to the failure happening to my 03 in the driveway.