discodave

I was having the ignition key problem on my V8, I read a post on here which suggested using use some graphite powder in the lock. Got some on eblag, gave it a squirt and it's been fine since. Dave

Got my new alternator today and went about fitting it after work. First thing I noticed was the pully was smaller, then I noticed the rating - 120amp and the box has Range Rover written on it. I'm pretty sure microcat said it was a 100amp but I cant check now because it's not loading for some reason. The engine number and chassis number were given to the supplier and they're the ones the fitters use at work so should be pretty good. Other differences were thicker charge terminal, no raised screw on the side for the supressor and no rear cover, the old cover being different. Is there any other way to check it's the correct one? Thanks. Dave

Hello, thanks for the replies. I did take the unit off and clean all the connections but to no avail. My multimeter is in Skeg and I'm in Kent so couldnt use that. So, as we've got the long weekend from work, I didnt want to leave my truck on the caravan site (farm) all weekend with nobody around, thought I might be able to make it to my works yard about 10 miles away which has security. Got a couple of miles and the speedo went so I turned around to head back and got about 100 yards before it died. Called the AA and the bloke stuck a booster pack in the engine bay and I drove it to the yard where it konked out again and I coasted into a parking space. AA man then checked it out with multimeter and confirmed it was the alternator that was dead so the fitter in the our workshop has ordered me a new one which I'll stick on next week. Stageonesimmo wins a virtual watch. Cheers. Dave

One day all was fine. Next day i've got battery light and no rev counter. For a while the light would go out then back on again, but still no rev counter. Now the light is on full time. Alternator done or could it be a bad earth or something more sinister. I've had the unit off and checked all the terminals to no avail. It's one thing after another right now. Any help greatly appreciated. Dave.

I towed the same caravan to Wales 2 years ago and to Leeds last year with my 300tdi manual no problem. The rad looks fine, thermostat is new good quality one and the fan is working. On the flat doing around 60 it's fine but around 50mph or going up hill the temp climbs quickly. I put the heater on before it gets too hot as I dont really want to see how hot it's going to get. With the heater on it goes back down to slightly over half way. Without the caravan the temp gauge never moves above half way even if I give it some welly.

Hello all. I've just towed my 14 foot caravan to work in Kent. I made it okay but it did heat up a lot. Had 2 use the heater 2 keep it cool. Is that to be expected from a v8 auto?

Got my flange seals done today. Got new front and rear flanges from Famous Four. Back one went on a breeze and although the old front flange was pretty much okay, I decided to fit the new front one anyway, but when I offered it up it was about 10mm too long. Wish I'd taken some photies but I was trying to crack on. Called FF and they found the part number for my older, shorter flange had been superceded by the new one. The mudshield on the new one sat about 10mm away from the diff and as it sits on a raised section I couldnt just slide it closer. FF rang me back and said they'd found a supplier for the old flange but it'd be tomorrow before I could get it. As mine wasnt too bad I decided to get the job finished today and put it back on. When changing the seal I thought there seemed quite a lot of play in the diff pinion, then when I put my old flange back in, it sat about 2mm away from it's original position. I tried various things to make it seat better but to no avail. The new seal was drifted in properly with the old seal and was clearly not the culprit so in the end I reasembled it and just tapped the mudshield in the couple of extra mm and everything seemed okay. Took it for a test drive and it was fine only I'm not sure if I'm just being paranoid but when putting it in reverse the usual clunk seems more pronounced now. The old diff oil was black and smelled kind of burnt but I didnt see any metal in it. Any ideas anyone? Ta. Dave.

Started on my diff flange seals today and have had to stop and leave it. When I looked to see what flanges I had, I just had a quick squint at the front which is four bolt. Of course the rear is three bolt, so I had to fashion a puller from a long bolt, one large socket , three small sockets and some washers, to get the centre pin doo dah out. Then had to stick my leg in under the rear wheel arch to push on my ratchet to get the nylock nut off the end of the diff as I had no room under the truck to get any leverage on my breaker bar, Les was right about them needing explosives. I then had to virtually destroy the old seal to get it out using a big screwdriver (having realised that whilst looking at seal pullers the other day on fleabay, I'd forgotton to finish the transaction) Before doing anything else I decided to check the flange and of course the reason it's leaking is because the flange has corroded. So I've had to leave it till I can get a new drive flange. Hopefully Famous 4 will have one. So, altogether not the most successful day but I'm getting there.

Thanks Teabag. Nice looking exhaust you've got there. Okay, I've had you on a bit of a wild goose chase I'm afraid. Sorry. Seeing your pics made me think that that's not where my stray bracket was, so I've been for a closer look and I do have that big heatshield and it is attached to the the exhaust, only mine is tin and more concealed by the centre box, see picture. I've also taken pics of the stud on the transfer box where the bracket was and also a bit of fibre stuff that I imagine is all that's left of the other end of another shield that isnt in Microcat. Looks like it would have been protecting the tranny box from the pipe that enters the centre box but the truth is I've no idea. Can anyone else shed some light on it?

Morning all, when I said the heatshield was above the centre box I was only going by the picture in Microcat which doesnt really help, and the recollection that my leftover bracket was in that general area, and my memory aint what it used to be, but, IIRC the bracket was attached by one of the bolts on the bottom of the transfer box, as it was when my mate took off the cover to have a look inside that it was removed. That's why I thought it may have been there to protect the transfer box from extra heat buildup. Maybe if Teabag can get a photo of his that would shed some light on the subject and jog my memory more, but if it's only there to stop heat going up through the floor then I'll not bother replacing it. Aircon takes care of heat buildup inside the cab. B)

Thanks teabag, I wasnt sure of the position of the shield other than looking on microcat which doesnt really help much. When my mate changed the transfer box all that was left was a bit of bracket but I cant remember where it was attached and he removed it when he was doing the box. A picture would be great.

Hello everyone. The large exhaust heatshield above the centre box, part number NTC7196, is missing on my V8 disco. Am I overheating my transfer box oil or something like that and would it be wise to replace it? If so has anyone made their own? Does anyone know roughly the dimensions? I think it'll be over 50 quid to buy a new one and I'd rather not pay that unless I have to as I've got some ali sheet I think would do. Any advice would be much appreciated. Cheers. Dave.

Thanks Teabag, I'm aiming to get it done on Monday now as the weather here is plop today.

Thanks for the tip Teabag. I've got the prop tool coming as well. Have used spanners before and have a big screwdriver but I thought I'd treat myself and make the job easy as possible. Going by my axle number I've got the other seal. Hope I've got it right. The flanges are 4 bolt.