Here's my story. I bought an 03 Disc Series II, 2 months (1500miles) ago from a small dealer in Columbus, OH. I test drove it and it drove a little rough but was expected from what I have read. It was a beautiful truck and was clean as a whistle. I was able to talk the guy down and thought (at the time) that I got a great deal. Paid cash for it with NO warranty . 3 weeks after having it, I noticed that the rough ride continued to get worse, until finally the front drive shaft went. Payed $950 to have it replaced by a local shop that specializes in imports. They had several rovers on there lot, so I felt pretty confident in the Rover knowledge. When I got it back...it was like a brand new truck, drove like a dream!!! I fell in love all over again!

Decided to go on a little Christmas road trip with the family this past weekend, so I figured I would change the oil & filter and give it a once over. Found no visible concerns, so I searched the forum for days to find out what oil to select. After much deliberation, I went with Mobil 1 10w40 and the Mobil 1 1-301 filter. All went well and I watched the levels for a few days with just minor leakage. (a drop or 2 a night).

The trip went great with ZERO problems or concerns. Drove like a dream. Got home last night and unpacked. Got up early this morning to take the rover to the car wash to clean off all the salt and winter muck on the road. I thought it would be a good idea to hit the engine with the engine cleaner option also. Afterwards the truck to seemed to run even better (could have all been in my head). Once I got home from the wash, I parked in my driveway and dried her off...BEAUTIFUL!

Backed out of the driveway and went on my way. Came out of target and something inside me told me to look under the Disco to make sure everything was good....and to my shock a small puddle of oil. At first I thought it was from a prior car but didn't want to risk it...So I crawled under to see oil dripping heavily from the bottom side of the block (around where the motor meets the tranny) I checked the oil levels and there was still pretty much in there so I busted *** to get it home to get a better look...WOW, my *** is sore from the intense butt clinching ride home. No oil light warning and drove (and sounded) completely normal! Got it home and notcied yet another small puddle of oil where it was sitting earlier and a trail from when I left. I only drove a few miles both ways but am pretty sure a steady stream was present. Once in the garage, I crawled underneath to get a better look...wiped off the areas of concern and think I have pin pointed the area of the leak. The top side of the engine looks normal and dry for the most part. And I am pretty confident that the oil is leaking from the area mentioned above (pictures attached) Not exactly sure the LR terminology for this area..LOL.

What are my options of confirming what the problem is? Could this be a result of the dreaded oil pump failure?? My truck is NOT within the bad Vin range.

Buying the truck broke me...repairing the drive shaft broke me even more...I am all out of money and out of a truck for now. Any help, advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I can take pictures, visually inspect and troubleshoot as much as a 1/2 witted guy with limited tools can.

Or should I just go ahead and send it back to the local shop? Its only 1/2 mile from my home, was thinking of adding more oil and driving it too the shop. Just looking for the cheapest way out!

Thanks again!

 

**update...in the picture provided above, should there be (2) bolts in the area that there are none? Even looks like previous gunk built up around where the bolt heads would have been...could this be a potential cause for my leak?? If so, would these bolts have been removed to gain access the drive shaft repair that was recently done?

Thanks in advance.

 

Hi, Just saw your picture. Not much a technical guy, I have same model as yours. Seems like there is something is missing in that picture.
BTW! Just checked mine and crawled under the truck, YES! There is something missing! 2 BOLTS!!!!! Ouch! - Gerry

 

UPDATE! Sorry its not 2 but 3. There should be another on the top far right thread sticking out. Hope you get your truck towed. Your thing might fall on the ground! - Gerry

 

Thanks Gerry,
After talking to a few people, they too confirmed that the bolts are missing! There are (2) front facing bolts that are DEF missing and (1) of the (4) rear facing bolts that I can see. Now the hard part is finding the bolts. I can't find their specs (thread type or length) Once I find them, I will torque them back into place and add some more oil and see what happens....Its just really weird that they are missing? I have been told that these bolts are in no way related to my recent front drive shaft replacement as first thought....