Sheffield

Can I use an alternator from a V8 on a 300TDI if I change the pulley and rotate the front plate to suit the different mountings? Or will I get problems with the rev counter not reading correctly? I am not sure if the rev counter signal from the alternator is different, or if it is the same and just interpreted diiferently at the rev counter. Many thanks

I understood it was an EU requirement that lamps could be changed without tools. Many drivers of older cars would not think of taking it to a garage for maintenance. It would cost more than the car is worth in some cases. Also people are so reliant on their cars that they are not prepared to do without them. They just rely on the MOT to tell them if any thing is required. I imagine some older members will remember the state of some of the older cars on the road before the introduction of the MOT.

Although the many comments made in defense of the Defender are valid and interesting, buyers of new vehicles who have these views are in a small majority. Most users of working vehicles who need 4 wheel drive find a Japonese pickup suits their needs, and are cheaper. They mostly lease their vehicles, so don't care about long life, don't expect it to require any major repairs while they have it, so don't care about repairability, and just want least cost. Their drivers just want something that is relaible, comfortable and does the job. Add to all that the ever more difficult regulations and I am not surprised people like McGovern think it is time for a change.and to make something more attractive to the buyers. Regardless of what we may think about the new generation of Land Rovers, they seem to be able to sell as many as they can make, Mr McGovern has been successful so far, which may make him think he can do no wrong. It will be interesting to see.

It seems to me that the factor that will be a problem with modern cars as they get older is the cost of replacement parts. We are already seeing cars in reasonably good condition going to the scrap because the airbags have gone off, and the cost of replacing the airbags is more than the car is worth, especially if the insurance is involved. I think people will learn to deal with the the technology, but it is the cost of the complicated parts that will be the problem. A Discovery 1 is not only simple to keep on the road, but more important, the parts it requires are not too costly. As an example, take the repair of rust problems on a Discovery. Where the owner has the skill and interest to do the welding the vehicle can be repaired, but if some one else has to be paid to do it the vehicle is scrapped because of the costs. Also, a lot of parts in moden cars can only be obtained from the manufacturer. When he will nolonger supply that will be the end of it.

In the beginning the Japanese realised that there was a market place full of people who wanted a Range Rover, but could not afford one. So they produced vehicles similar to RRs, but cheaper. This was the market Landrover entered with the Discovery 1. As this was based on the RR it was a resounding success. The Japanese also realised that there was a market place full of people who thought they wanted a 4X4, but really were comfortable with a front wheel drive saloon. So they produced vehicle that looked 4X4ish, but handled like front wheel drive saloons. It was this market that Landrover entered with the Freelander 1. Unfortunately the only parts bins they could use at the time were Rover's, and although the Freelander was a success as regards sales, as regards engineering less so. Of course after BMW took over they were able to supply a better engine, and the later ones were not so bad. My misses has got a 2 litre petrol Freelander. Awful little thing really, but she loves it. Light and easy to handle and something a bit different to the usual run of the mill cars. She thought the Discovery too big and heavy, and this is where the Freelander scores. Alright if you don't have to repair it.

One advantage of paper magazines is that we can read them in the bath. Drop it and that is one magazine gone, but drop your digital tablet version and that whole lot is gone. But I have not purchaesd one for years, for all the reasons given above.

For our 300 TDI Discovery I used an Interface Solutions IS M12T transistoriesed relay, bought from CPC in Preston for about £14. The Range Rover water level sensor seems to change from 1meg ohm to about 680 ohms, and the M12T can be wired to detect this change. A volt free contact in the unit can then be used to switch what ever warning you want. I have not had to use it in anger, but it seems to work well when I lift the sensor out of the water to test it.

Did not Rover V8s go into some LDV vans and ambulances? I wonder what the petrol comsumption was like in a London ambulance being driven in traffic by some one in a hurry and who was not paying the fuel bill?

It seems to me that the reason for changing the oil in a typical Land Rover engine, such as a 200/300TDI, is not the life of the oil, but the capacity of the filter. The filter filters the oil at what ever level of efficiency, until it is full of contanimates, and ceases to filter properly. As it appears the Franz system leaves the original filter in place and psses almost of the oil through it this process will continue. So eventually a stage will be reached where the original filter is clogged, and the only filtering being done is the 1% that passes through the Franz filter. This does not seem very good to me, and I think it would still be necessary to change the filter at the usual intervals. While I am at it it I might as well change the oil, and save the cost of the Franz system.

Are Turners saying that they can not be refurbished, or just that they don't do it? Is the only solution going to be a conversion to the non edc system fitted to manual gearbox Discoverys? I think our edc Doscovery could do with replacement injectors and so this question is of interest to me as well.

I think this one shot grease is the invention of the Devil. If the seals are unable to keep the oil in they will not keep the water out. I prefer EP90, topped up frequently and changed often. I think it was produced with the intention of allowing vehicles to go the full length of a service interval without the swivels getting short of oil in the meantime. but as a lubricant I don't think it is anything like as good as oil.

We have a 300tdi with the ZF box, and I prefer it to the manual. The acceleration is worse than the manual, but it is a relaxing vehicle to drive.

I have fitted a 300 rear bumper on a 200, and found I had to use the 200 plastic end caps, with some modification to the end cap mountings..

So one way round the problem of replacement injectors for a 300 with EDC could be to replace the injectors with standard 300 ones, and then be able to replace the injector pump with either a 200 or a 300 pump, then?

The 200 end caps will fit a 300 bumper, but need modified fixings. Not too difficult if you want brake lights in the bumper on a 200 Discovery.

"that will only isolate the rear axle, with the handbrake on the front axle can still turn. locking the center diff may help there though". quote. Are you sure? The transfer box output shaft carries the hand brake and rear propshaft at its rear, and the centre diff at its front end.The centre diff then drives the front propshaft. With the hand brake on the transfer box cannot turn, leaving only the slop in the main and transfer gears to take up. .

If you apply the hand brake before engaging drive, so as to hold the transfer box output shaft it will give an indicationof wether the slack is in the propshafts and diffs, or in the transfer box.

I have a 1996 300TDI auto (not ABS) with the single front pipe arrangement, which needs new discs and pistons, and I also have to hand all the parts for a dual front pipe system with vented discs (almost new) from a 1991 RRC. I have thought about using these to change the Discovery to dual pipe vented brakes. Is this a good idea, please, or a bad one?

I took the viscous fan off our 200Tdi Discovery and fitted a Kenlowe fan over 10 years ago, but I retained the Shroud. The electric fan never comes on. So when I changed the radiator on our 300Tdi auto I just left the viscous fan off. Even on a 2000 mile tour from France around Scotland and England last September, including getting stuck on the M40 in the aftermath of some one else's crash it did not overheat or give any trouble at all. In normal use they do not seem to need the viscous fan.

A couple of years ago, when we found our recently purchased Discovery had a Special Vehicles plate I put the details on a Land Rover forum, just to see if any one knew any thing. I had a response from some one at Land Rover, who was able to provide some details. So, yes, ask.

In the EU's mind there is little point in making car makers spend millions on tets to prove new cars are safe and then allowing owners to modify them. Since there is no certain way to make sure every possible owner modification is safe under all conditions the only option is to ban all mdifications. The fact that many people get enjoyment and employment from vehicle modifications means nothing when put against the Great Gods "Safety" and "environment". For this reason, and the need for the Eurocrats to justify their good living by making ever more rules to govern the rest of us, these measures will surely eventually come to pass.

There are the ones, many thanks. Unfortunately the usual LR parts suppliers do not seem to recognise the numbers, or show the parts in their listings. Are they difficult to find?

Can any one kindly tell me the numbers for the rubber gromet/bungs that go in the adjuster and inspection holes in the back plate of the rear brakes on a Freelander, please? My wife has just bought herself a Freelander, and the bungs are missing, allowing the muck in. It is a 2001 1.8 petrol chassis 71A317778. Thanks.

Sheffield's wife------France

There are already plenty of laws to ensure vehicles are properly maintained and insured. What is lacking is enforcement. However if the Police are to have sufficient resources to properly prevent unroadworthy vehicles taxes would have to rise. By the means proposed this enforcement and their costs are passed to the citizen directly without going through the public purse. This will appeal to the UK government, as it is in line with the privitisation of public services such as health and law enforcement. I am not surprised at the proposal, we pay large amounts of money to MPs, MEPs, and Commissioners to create laws. We need not be surprised when that is what they do. They did not promise anything about sensible ones. I am surprised they have not included a requirement to prove valid insurance at the time of test as well.