No body rust, very straight under that grime!


So I’ve come across an ‘04 Disco II with 65K miles that’s been sitting in a lady’s carport for 7 years. It was running when she parked it, now is REALLY dirty on the outside with two flat tires. I think she’s finally going to let it go. Question for this knowledge group: what would be your strategy for getting it back on the road? I assume drain the fuel tank, change all fluids, maybe new plugs and wires, belts and hoses. What else should I be anticipating? Will obviously need new tires and battery...

Thanks for any help you can give me. I just want to make sure I don’t cause any engine damage when starting it back up.

 

so the top end will probably be really dry (lacking oil). You should pull the plugs and give a shot of staybil fogging oil (or similar) into each cylinder before cranking. Don't crank it with the plugs in. have to get some fresh oil back up top and throughout the bearings first. A few short cranks should get things loosened up.

Probably have some mouse homes and chewed wires, so check out the harness before powering up (especially in engine bay)...

The fuel in the fuel line is 7 years old. This may be ok or crap. Maybe you want to unhook it from the back of the fuel injector lines at back of intake and flush it....

So this would help prepare you for at least some of the big issues like scoring the cylinders or stressing non -oiled bearings or a big electrical short....

The rest will just buff out!

 

I would remove the sparkplugs and spray something in the cylinders too, but I wouldn't crank it with the key(still with plugs out).
I would use a breaker bar on the crank pulley bolt to turn the engine first. After sitting for so long the rings can stick to the cylinders, and the torque and speed from the starter can break stuck rings, vs a breaker bar slowly moving them.
New remanufactured injectors on ebay are around $60 a set(all 8), and are an easy install. They are likely gummed up and are worth replacing.

 

Fantastic find! Welcome to the forum!

 

After a very soapy wash and clay bar and wax that truck will look brand new. Great find. Keep us updated.

**whatever you do, DO NOT push the switches to open the sunroofs** Leave them closed until you get everything else sorted out and even then I wouldn’t. It looks like an SD but I see the sunroof.

 

What a shame but a great find. Congrats!

 

Great information very much appreciated. What would the suggestions be on cooling system? Has been sitting with antifreeze in it for a loooong time!

 

You’ll want to drain and flush the antifreeze and swap out to a low temp thermostat while you’re at it as a matter of preventative maintenance. Probably best to give it a good flush with a cleaner a few times.

 

All D1/D2's have a spot to manually open/close the sunroofs if the motor dies.

Total fluid change, squirt some oil into each cylinder, then rotate engine by hand.

 

The Ol ran when I parked line. Offer her $1000.