| grandkodiak |
09-14-2012 04:51 PM |
I'm sure someone will chime in soon, but don't be scared to bring it to a standard garage. Disco II's are incredible old technology lol, in that I mean its also very field servicible, things are uncomplicated and easy to work on. Lots of room, simple designs. Outside of finding specific parts or computers, they are very strightforward to work on. Any mechanic, even if they've never even seen a Landrover before should be able to do the job without instructions. Second, download the Rave manual available everywhere on this website lol... it has step by step instructions that even a 13 year old could follow for most parts, plus full diagrams and simplified drawn pictures of the parts. If you can do it yourself or figure it out, or just don't feel like doing it lol, I always print out the section of the manual and give it to the mechanic as a reference. Any garage worth its salts going to have thier own software that does the same thing as rave basically such as Alldata. When looking for a good shop, my advice is to stay away from "tuner shops", lube places and to some degree, chains like Sears, Pepboys etc unless its for tire changes, pads or simple stuff like that. Find a small gas station repair place, look at the types of cars on the lot awaiting service. If you are looking for work on driveshafts, axles, suspension, look for the garages that have lots of jeeps, utility trucks etc. Have something like an exhuast leak? It's hit or miss with the chain shops but they are usually pretty good.
Second piece of advise, stop in and talk with the main mechanic, and look at the types of workers he has. It is a family shop, or bunch of college age looking techs, or 5 people in rags that don't speak english as a primary language haha. Don't drop it off, show him the problem and see what they guestimate what the problem is and what might be necessary to fix. Say you can't drop it off yet if its not an emergency repair, then hit the forums and google and see if it sounds like a resonable diagnosis. Then check for the probably prices for parts, do NOT EVER, repeat EVER get Land Rover Dealership parts unless theres no otehr choice. They are anywhere from 50-300% (literally) higher then what you can find online LR specilty sites in terms of cost, for the SAME part. Stay away from knockoff parts where possible such as Autozone/Advance... you get what you pay for, and especially with rover electricals (alternators, MAF's, sensors, switchs for example) they only like LR parts.
On that note, whatcha lookin to do in the first place?
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