Hercu

Hi Jaf Agreed with Ballcock Not knowing your location but here in Southern Africa the stock radiators do not work due to the bypass hole in the main radiator tank, If you remove the bleeding screw on top of the radiator (hope yours is brass) and inspect by putting a "welding" rod you will find about 20 cm down a partition with a 20 mm hole which allows warmer water to circulate straight through on cold starts..You might be able to see it by lighting a torch into the hole... In warmer weather 30 to 40 Deg C the water is taking shortcut and does not circulate through the cores of the radiator,,, I had mine cleaned and hole blocked by Radiator guys and never had a "Under cooling" problem again and sometimes I drive in low range thick sand for 2 hours at 25 kmh, with ambient 40 deg without the heat gauge moving from normal.. PS: did remove the air con Rad as well and fitted new viscous fan...!

Finally The games can begin Fetched the Disco and drove 2000 Km round trip to collect the vehicle Pulled on a Frame with front bumper removed, and both prop shafts...Not a walk in the park ...I can guarantee... Could not get the suspension to raise...Did not know to bridge relay..so pulled it on flat suspension for 750 Km. After arrival at workshop and proper internet we got the solution and it raised with a stronger battery. Seems to be a heat seize due to plastic water distribution Manifold between heads broken ..No water in the oil though or white rim on oil cap...? Mechanic will start to strip heads tomorrow ... Any do's and dont's will be appreciate

Garry...Thanks you for the reassurance ...Yes I am going to give it a go...Enjoy the repair process and might be as happy as I am with my D1...and there is a a lot said on D1's and 2's as well..!

Kvz2000...Thank you and I truly agree...My Disco 1 gave me many enjoyable years and mechanical I would not change it for anything.. It is only the Rusty body that concerns me and a D2 Body does not fit on a D1 Chassis..and all the D1's up to 98 models is rusty.. Good body shop can fix it but the cost is almost the same as a very good used TD 5 (Disco 2). I think The Mechanic is more excited than I am on this project ... and If I am not happy at the end I am sure I will be able to sell it for equal or small profit..! Will surely keep all updated...

Thank you TSD...... Really excited about this project...Will certainly look into the brake conversion...Not yet on 19's but yes, disk's close to the end of their time .. "and for me any car you've rescued or put loads of work into is much more enjoyable than anything you just bought with no hassles" So true...That is why I love my Disco 1 TDi !.

Received the bank release today and the log book (Road worthy and registration) Now at last ready to be collected, The workshop is excited and the games can begin now;;; Yes the more I read on this model the more I want to agree that it actually is a Normal Landrover with a bit more bells and whistles ...! Yes, I got this at an incredible good price and if the parts is as quoted I will have a D3 for quarter of the price of the normal used going rate..! worth to take that risk..and if I am clever the should be monthly payment saved can make my life with the Discovery 3 a breeze

" I am getting the vibe that everyone has a grudge against these cars, " Daan That's the reason for my initial question " Am I looking for trouble ? Well I have put my head in this bee hive! TSD Thank you super informative post...Taken to heart. We Landrover owners clearly understand what the responsibilities are Garry ,,,No Diesel Territories in South Africa and accident Damaged LR engines are selling for a crazy prize ..Can buy a nice Roadworthy running TD5 for what they are asking for TDV 2.7 engines. Looked at the Jag.. engine but thought the twin turbo would be a problem...But yes there is a way out ! Few available but heavy loaded,,

Shackelton....Appreciated but truly not necessary......no offence taken.. Thank you for the best wishes. It is going to be a nice project I really hope I can fix this without incredible cost...If not surely I might be lucky to sell it to a Landy lover who had an accident damaged write off.... I got this D3 on the current exchange rate for £ 1800-00 and if I spend £ 2000-00 it will still be a bargain ! See they are selling for 6000=00 to 10 000=00 + in The UK Regards

Bowie...Yes, the saying when you are in a hurry or very eager to achieve something goes " you can boil and egg in my #$$ " To express my eagerness I referred to a huge egg !! (I was in a hurry but now I want a rush)

Garry...Once again , Thank you...This is sadly a long distance thing....The vehicle is at venue A the workshop at B and I working at C..All in a 400 Km triangle..! I bought it on a Gumtree ad after a trusted angling friend inspected it and declared it a very nice and clean vehicle and worth to buy..(Trusted seller!) The owner stated the engine "seized" and could not Identify the problem whether it was heat, bearing, or timing belt...His "mechanic" could not identify the damage except saying that the engine could not be turned by hand... So, it still needs to be transported to point B (the workshop), which should have happened last weekend but the trailer promised to me was urgently needed and the owner could make a few bucks where I could have it for free... So still waiting to hear when the trailer will be available now...!!! One positive is that the workshop owner offered to fetch the vehicle as soon as the trailer is available with only fuel cost to my account. (A promised fishing weekend opens doors) That birds egg boiling in my..#$$.....became an Ostrich egg now...!! Regards Hercules PS: Thanks for the links.

Aah Gary ..Thank you so much...There was so much confusion on this that even I started to fiddle around...Good .. Mind set on Rebuild or replacement...! Was Talking to the workshop manager and Main Mechanic on Saturday and they gave me exactly the same answer..They even recommended a rebuild rather than a replacement... ( I am not Paying workshop hours only parts).. So it is body off and putting on the knee guards when I go to see the bank Manager ...!!! (His office carpet is very thin)

Missingsid...Thank you for a highly appreciated reply....Owning a Discovery 1 TDi I am fully aware of Disco's moods and pains...A landrover owner must be very committed to maintenance and TLC..and it will return you all the joy in the world and yes being able to buy it cash supposed monthly installment could be saved for "that" day when it is needed..! The D3 in general is fairly well rated except for that Bearing Failure....But seems once fixed it is done..! "Maybe it is better to out it as spares?" It is also considered Rust on the Coast or near the coast is a given...and after few years the "Cancer"' get a grip ...I do launch the Jet ski with my Disco in the surf but usually get power washed once back home..But salt water and metal is a devil.. Thank you Alley , your comment is very valuable... Yes...There will be concealed rust .. but as I said previously my D1 is a 1997 mod...This D3 is 2006 which give me 9 years plus... Please post that pics of corrosion so that we could see where to look.. Kind Regards

Gary Thank you for valued info.. Yes, there is and even landrover Petrol engines...But due to my locality I must consider a Diesel engine...and not sure what mods to be done from Diesel to Petrol on the system..????

Garry....Is the Ford Territory 2.7 TDV 6 exactly the same engine ??? The Diesel model was never marketed in South Africa (Only Petrol) from New Zealand... To Import A ford engine might be cheaper than to rebuild this D 3 engine and as said ..the parts is not the best..! Thank you ...Gary ..I am now in a different Mind set..!

Maybe the reason for the reasonable quote...Thank you FridgeFreezer...I am still waiting for the Landrover quote !!

Bowie...Yes...Yes..Yes...I seriously would have loved to do that but this vehicle is in another province..the equipped workshop is 400 km away ..I am 300 km away from this vehicle.. I must travel through 2 countries Mozambique...Swaziland...South Africa fetch (Awaiting papers)..Travel around Swaziland to the workshop ..close to the border... What a mission...!!

Alley ..very valued point...From my Disco 1 1997 mod to this 2006 D3 it is a 9 year gain..My Di lasted very well rust wise up to now. Hope the D3 can give me another 9 years ??? Truly the Di TDi was a tractor in comparison with this D3 but easy fixable..!

TSD...... Thank you Yes I have looked at Turner prices and very good...BUT being in Africa with all the Red Tape and poor exchange rates the Parts might be more than double than the price of an used engine... Brittpart is fairly strong in South Africa and the quote was not bad....(Crank is very very expensive)

I really appreciate all the replies...And yes..Elbekko the sail seems like a good option and the D1 engine came to mind... The body removal was discussed and the luck is that I will have the use of a fully equipped workshop with lifts, air tools etc.. I have quoted the parts and came at the same amount that I will pay for vehicle as is... but still more than half less than the going used price..!(Parts and vehicle) But...I will still part very difficult with my Disco 1 TDi

Anders Yup, I considered that, that at the end I could have bought a running D3 for the price of this non runner and engine replacement... But at this stage it actually suits me fine because the old Faithful D1 TDi is still running and I can do this engine over time...! and I save my bank manager of having a heart attack..! (Not mentioning the wife) Regards Hercu

Garry Thank you...Yes it is the best option. Problem to get a running used engine...(In South Africa)...They are over prized due to the Rand/Dollar exchange rate. Can get good used D2 TD5 vehicle for the prize of a TDv 6 engine. Hercu

Blanco Thanks...Yes I believe it is a difficult one....Somewhere saw that a rebuild requires a upgraded crank etc...etc Rebuild engines quoted at $4500.. I have got the next few days to decide....But at $ 3000 US for the vehicle as is it could be worth it ..? Maybe do a Lexus conversion..??

Muddy ...It did fit on top hanging bolt but bottom small (Difficult) tensioner hole do not exist on merc alt. The body diameter is bigger and quarter inch hard rubber conveyor belt between engine and alt. worked well. The tensioner gave enough tension for it to work without the bottom bolt.

Hi Guys I am a very happy Disco 1 300 TDi 1997 owner BUT: Old faithful's body and all other systems are now rapidly fading Very close to 400 000 Km (398 000) and had some Head Gasket problems when I installed a VTDI Turbo with boost up to 1.4 Fixed that and had wonderful times. Fixed the rust on the Alpine windows/ removed the rear sunroof with rust and sealed. Done the roof lining..etc..etc Now the A pillars is completely rotten and water seep through and wet the floorboard..causing a Flintstone's effect..! ( Brake on the asphalt) This Disco 3 TDV 6 was offered to me and although the engine is seized the price is unbelievable..Half the price of old disco 1's (Rusted) On this model there was a factory problem on bearing seizing,,,the bearing cap was rotating on the crank...???? Need true insets...please ..Cost on rebuild of the engine ..Is it worth it ? Thanks

Hi Muddy I installed 120 Amp...Excellent It is an Ex Mercedes Alt...Do not know the model of the Merc. Year 90's ? 123/124 series 300 TDi Disco1 1997 I believe Britpart will also stock..