Hi all,
I picked up a '99 Disco II last week after lusting after one as a kid back when this example was new. I used to watch Camel trophy vids and never thought I'd be able to own one of these. It's a third vehicle but I couldn't pass this one up on craigslist when I saw it advertised for $2k USD. I missed having a "beater". This one isn't even close to fitting in the garage:


It has 127k miles and absolutely no service records! ABS modulator has been replaced with a 2005 part, though. Good thing it's starting off as just a toy used for a 3 mile commute. I will trust it on long trips... eventually.

Work performed so far:

• Leaky throttle body heater bypass
• Sunroof ECU repair: broken solder joint/intermittent front sunroof operation
• Sunburnt hood painted flat black. Doesn't look completely terrible with the Epsom Green Metallic paint!
• Tightened outer valve cover bolts to try to stop oil leak
• Polish + wax of intact paint
• >10 hours of interior cleaning. The interior was horrifying when I bought it with food and coffee stains everywhere with dog hairs on every surface including the headliner.
• Bled brakes

I hope to contribute as I inevitably have to dive into the serious mechanicals of this beast.

 

Congrats, man. Looks really good!

 

Welcome, look at our tech section for the front prop shaft rebuild (it will kill your tranny); the 60K miles service list; the oil write up; and consider an Ultra Gauge, it can read and reset codes, and display live data, like coolant temp ($70). And of couse download your own copy of the RAVE (Rover Automated Viewing Enviroment - aka Rovers A'int Very Economical) - the shop manual set.

One thing that usually gets these sold cheap is overheating, which can come from multiple sources. Don't trust heat gauge above mid point. Think about it - why would anyone one to sell such a cool vehicle so cheap? Of course it does happen, one member bought her first car, a D2, with 117 miles on it, garage kept, eccentric owner, oem gasoline; for $2000. But many other times overheating pops up.

 

I considered it likely the vehicle had been overheated when I saw the coolant leak. I figure, since it has run so well for 200 miles already, the damage can't be so bad. If the head gasket goes it will be a good chance to check out and clean the top end since I don't trust the oil change intervals were followed given the state of neglect of the interior.

I actually have a scangauge II on another car and will pick one up for this one. I never trust the dash to give early warning and I'd like to try to break 20 mpg on the highway (don't laugh!)

I will give the u-joints a proper inspection asap. They are the greatest unknown at this point.

 

The good: I discovered a grease fitting on the u-joint going from the transfer case to front diff. I hear that means it's been rebuilt at some point.

The bad: There is a slow drip of coolant from the head/block interface. I guess I'll just overhaul everything at once if I'm tearing into it. Should be quite the weekend (or two) project.

 

you should have a total of 3 grease fittings on the front drive shaft. if there is only 1, that is how it came from the factory and you still need to replace the other 2 ujoints.
jon