1.5 weeks to sort out the cooling problem , where does this guy tie his horse up, outside the garage? it sounds like the water pump isn't doing it's job or the stat is defective and the motor is acting as a heat sink and boiling the coolant. Whatever the problem Christina, we are talking 1-2 days max to fix it.

Public transport ain't too bad, well, rather you than me eh

 

Lol Offroad ....thx for making me laugh

Actually, the place i took it to typically is really quick with getting things done. I was surprised to hear that they had a backlog. When i dropped it off there were quite a few beemers and audis in the garage and lot so blame it on them

He was working by himself and must have taken pity on me today because he squeezed me in...called about a half hour ago and said that it is indeed the tbhp gasket. He couldn't locate one in town so made one and it was still leaking. Apparently the plate was corroded enough that another is needed. Soooo...one is on order for Monday but he warned me that the hurricanes are wreaking havoc on shipping times so we shall see. I asked him if rtv would help and i got a couple of 'giggles' and then he said 'i tried that'. He's cool.

Oh.....public transport here isn't like in the UK.....would you believe i tried to set up a ride for monday and they are so busy i was denied!?!

 

I spotted your problem...

"quite a few beemers and audis in the garage"

It is pretty much universally accepted to take these to LR specific indy shops. NOT foreign car or import shops. An LR only indy would have that part in stock. You could go to the dealer parts desk and get the gasket and a new plate for under $50 no shipping required.

LR specific guys know what is a short cut and what is not because all they work on is Rovers.

Oddly foreign car or import shop usually charge more too and tend to see us Rover owners as their next boat payment walking through the door.

There must be a reputable LR specific indy shop in your area. I recommend you find one.

Another funny thing I recently found out, one of the high end import car shops I know of (also full of Audi, Merc, and BMW) will charge you their higher rates to fix your Discovery, and as soon as you are gone, they take it to the local reputable independent LR specific garage and pay him his lower rate to fix it!! The customer never knows the difference! One of the mechanics told me this directly. Anything older than an LR3 and P322 they do this.

 

Christine:

I'd be interested in knowing who/where your mechanic is. I had a favorite for a couple of years, a real LR specialist, but he quit and moved to Buckley. If you have a better option, I'd appreciate your recommendation. Send me a PM when you get a minute.

Thanks,

 

For her...it's 141 miles to the closest LR dealer, one way. So, just "going to the dealers parts desk" ain't that easy.

If someone tried to be an "LR only" shop in Traverse City...they would starve to death...very quickly...lol.

Brian.

 

Plus, not much need for a LR shop for something as basic as TBH replacement.

 

OK, Sorry about that. I'll own my privileged of living in a big city.

However I stand by that advice for the future readers where ever they may be.

Especially if you are going to maintain one of these trucks out in the boonies.

I believe there was another thread recently about the basic stuff you should have on hand when a shop is not available if you are going to be in such a situation.

Just for future readers of this thread, an example of something to consider when taking on Discovery ownership in more rural areas.

If you love your truck you can be proactive and have a few common items pre purchased. Even if you can't do the work your mechanic will probably appreciate not having to source something he is not very familiar with and be happy to have you supply the right part that you have already researched here. TBH gasket, CPS sensor, O2 sensor, thermostat, front driveshaft... etc...

 

Good lord, lol.. .. it's not the backwoods here. Traverse City is the largest city in Northern Michigan but we don't have a LR dealership as The Deputy stated. This particular place has been working on Discoveries for years so I know that he's familiar with them and I've seen quite a few Rovers in there in the past. Good points that you've made but I don't know how many mechanics would appreciate me hauling in replacement parts that they cannot warranty?... he was kind enough to use the overflow tank I provided that's been kicking around 'new in box' in my garage for over a year. This is the 3rd overflow tank I've had and I didn't feel like getting crazy with the cheese whiz again so I asked him if he'd mind killing 2 birds with one stone. It works for me.. that's his business and I'm happy to keep the economy rolling. I'm satisfied with their business, they know what they're doing and it's a win/win for all.

Now I just need to get driving again

 

There are only 3 LR dealerships in MI...total...(2 in metro Detroit and 1 in Grand Rapids). The closest one to me is relatively new (maybe 4 yrs old) and north of the "D", which I consider in no way a privilege...to be close to...unless you like being robbed and shot in the back while pumping gas, raped because you had a flat tire or car-jacked if you stop for a red light...lol. Anyhow, Michigan use to be the "big three" state...so driving foreign was heavily frowned upon. Still is actually. So, there are very, very few foreign shops around...and the ones that are around...are very, very busy.

As far as foreign car shops charging different rates, this is very common. If I were to take my Porsche to Munk Motors in Waterford, Chris (owner) would charge me a different labor rate than let's say a VW. There is a degree of difficulty and experience you are paying for.

Same goes for farming out jobs, if I can send a crappy job down the road to another shop and they put one of their mechanics on it...and all I have to do is add a little bit to the bill for my efforts (dropping off and picking up)...that's a good business decision. It's a win-win...I'm making money and not tying up a good wrench/garage space on a crap job that he may spend days on...essentially, chewing up profit margins. Plus, if the owner has an issue...I just drive it back over to the other shop and say warrenty it.

And no...normally...a shop is not going to appreciate you handing them a part to put on your vehicle. They make a markup on parts, usually 40%. If you can buy it, they can buy it, so them waiting for your part means nothing to them...they are only concerned about making a profit. Any shop that starts working for just labor...granted, they'll be busy as hell...but they won't be in business for long. If a shop does do this, they're probably making up the difference on the backside (padding labor). Plus, you wouldn't believe the amount of knuckleheaded folks that believe you should re-do the job for free (labor)...even though they brought you the part(s)...and it was their cheap part that failed to begin with.

Not trying to argue the point. These are just my experiences/observations from working at "for profit shops" many years ago (not that I imagine anything has changed), doing side-work and knowing several folks that own repair facilities now.

Brian.

 

And yes...I remember when TC was the boonies...man, does that make me old or what...lol.