i have been looking at a Disco II with about 97K miles. It has had the egine replaced (see attached) close to a year ago but only about 3,000 miles, going over the car, i noticed what looked like a small leak - but couldnt tell from where. I am pretty sure it is a bosch engine.

Would you buy it? (assuming you felt the price was right.)

 

Me?..yes but "the right price" varys person to person.

 

Value it as you would a truck of that miles, the used engine is likely similar miles. They charged the previous owner $2800 for a used engine, which they may have gotten from a boneyard for as little at $200 if they pulled themselves. Or it might be from a very fresh wreck of a truck with 9000 miles on it. Just no way to tell, other than the reputation of the shop. I would tend to think a good shop would not go with the cheapest engine.

Edit - the head gaskets were done, that is a plus.

A Rover with a leak is.... still a Rover. Oil, ATF, coolant, you have many choices.

 

What year is it, was it a new engine, 4.0 or 4.6 or a used one and if so with how many miles on it.
All that being said, what year is it and what are they asking for it?

 

If you aren't a shade-tree mechanic, you should probly pass. When the head gaskets go, which will be soon, you're looking looking at a $2000 repair.

 

I should have said it is a 2003. And yes it's vin was in the range affected by the 03 engine issues. I think the shop hear in San Diego has a good rep.

Question:
1. It seems only 3000 miles have been put on the engine since it was put on. That was almost a year ago. I just wonder if even after the engine was put in there was still problems - so he didn't drive it much and now trying to dump it.

 

Question:
1. It seems only 3000 miles have been put on the engine since it was put on. That was almost a year ago. I just wonder if even after the engine was put in there was still problems - so he didn't drive it much and now trying to dump it.[/QUOTE]

No way of knowing. Just know it will need something right out of the gate
Maybe a different Indy shop could look at it Then they could tell you what is wrong now.
Does it Tick?

 

According to the receipt, it did have head gaskets/bolts installed, along with exhaust gastkets, oil and filter, lower Multi Hose, coolant, and a New Battery.

With that said, did you notice the total? Over $5200. Let that be a good clue to what it costs to do repairs to these.

As others have mentioned, there's NO mention of the milage from the replacement motor. It could have 3,000 miles, or 233,000 miles.

Price would be the dertimining factor for me...

 

If the engine has been replaced, then the vin range for oil pumps doesn't matter.

 

So maybe shop bought a so-so engine, replaced the head gaskets, and built that into engine price. Then charged 1800 labor for the swap. Not really sure you could get an engine swap and head gaskets for $1800, unless their hourly rate is rock bottom. San Diego is not renowed for being a cheap place.