jas97disco

HI all can anyone help... I've a 300 TDi 97 auto disco ( 2 button key fob) with 120k miles on the clock. It refuses to start and I need her for a family holiday in a few days. Over the last month there have been 3 instances where after driving her, on attempting to restart she would be really sluggish at turning over and not fire up. Either jump starting her or persisting with starting attempts got her going again. Yesterday she did the same sluggish turning over and not firing up so a neighbour helped jump it and after about 15 attempts she finally fired. Figured it may be the battery so went on a long drive to charge it up (as we do lots of little in-to-town trips). This moring went to fire her up and same thing... really sluggish and after several attempts battery sounds like its going to give up. Fitted a new battery which has made no difference. It continues to sluggishly turn over without firing and I got one instance of a clicking noise and the starter wouldn't turn over at all. Glow plug wiring ok and pulled out a plug and turned her over and fuel appears to be getting through. Am I right in thinking its a duff starter/ starter solenoid( I've a Bosch unit fitted). Or, am I looking at a spider/immobiliser problem? Any help, advice or shared experiences gratefully received!!

If you've a disco ,would think its the steering damper. I had the same wobble in my freelander at similar speed, replaced damper and problem went.

Just had a brown pants moment in the disco this evening(300tdi)... Driving along and suddenly an odd squealing noise, then lost the power steering (heavy) for 20 seconds then it came back. On lifting the bonnet noticed that the top of the black plastic core plug on top of the thermostat housing has sheered off so cooling system is not pressurised. Also lost coolant as I had to put about 3 ltrs back into the expansion tank. I was looking at a post on this forum about puddles causing the 300tdi power steering to go heavy so my thinking is that maybe its the coolant getting all over the drive belt and made it slip and hence not driving the power steering pump. I'll have a proper look tomorrow but any details of similar experiences/ theories gratefully received. PS tried the 'peanut butter on the bumpers' thing and they came up really well!- much better than the Armorall stuff.

My 2p worth....I found Halfords really helpful for Child (baby) seats. We bought a Britax one as it was about the only one we could find to fit the Disco 1. That said, because the side of the child seat is really close to the seatbelt fastner (when on the rear seat), on occassion the belt has managed to pop free (and not down to a faulty belt!). So I'd advise anyone with a child seat in their Disco to check that the belt has not popped from its fastner!

I've been running my 97 300TDi auto on a diesel/ pure veg oil mix about 50/50 (+dribble of white spirit) for 18 months and its been fine. Did it as the car is past 100k miles so not too worried if I killed it. No problems at all, if anything it picks up more quickly. I use new oil from a well known wholesaler about £11-12 for 20 litre drum so it burns more cleanly that used oil. Dont use it over winter and dont use more that the tax threashold specifies. So impressed it worked I quite fancy dropping a diesel engine from a Smart car into a Triumph spitfire as a project.

I had this with my speedo - looks like the needle just worked loose on the spindle so you may have the same thing. Only does it a few times a year. It can read, for example, 70mph then suddenly drop to zero then either sits at zero for a while (say 15mins) and sorts its self out again or bounces between 0 and 70 for a while and sorts itself out.

Hi all, I've a 97 300TDi Disco which I recently noticed made an couple of metallic tapping/clanking noises every time I turned of the ignition. I've just changed to a K and N air filter and by accident discovered the noise is coming from the airflow sensor. When turning of the ignition...with a screwdriver holding open the flap, the noise didn't happen. Looks like the top of the flap in the sensor is banging where it meets against the housing. Dont think the flap is knackered as their is fairly good resistance in its spring and doesn't wobble side to side so wondering if inside the meter the flap should close against something like a rubber bung which has fallen out? Haynes manual is useless so hoping any budding Land Rover gurus out their can advise. PS: would say you get a noticable improvement with the K&N though whistles a little; she sounds more like Knight Rider now! Cheers, Jason

Hi all , can anyone advise on when I should next change the timing belt on a 97 300TDi auto. Changed it at 66k Miles (no yellow square so assuming they didn't fit the revised pulley kit) and its now at 118K, so current belts done 52K miles). Many Thanks - Jason

I'd agree with the replies - it's the spring. I'd advise you to change the spring in a confined space or drape a towel over the lock as you do it though. Took me 5-10 mins to do my rear door lock - but an hour to find the sodding spring that pinged off and landed on the street with my first attempt. Also agree they all go in quick succession so would suggest you just buy the 5 spring pack (see ebay).

Hi all, I've trawled through the technical pages but can't find an answer... can anyone advise... I've a 97 (Series 1 300TDi)Disco which has developed recent odd handling. Best way to describe it is it's like a rope has tangled up on the front offside wheel, this is coupled with increasingly 'floaty' handling like steering a boat. Cars got good tyres all round. It's had recent heavy duty springs, and gas shocks and steering damper, and I've just done all wheel bearings and adjusted the play on the steering box. Brakes don't appear to be binding and I'm not getting any CV joint clicking - 'heavy' handling occurs both in and out of gear (Auto box). I was thinking maybe its the track rod ends gone stiff, but given the MOT guys just passed it, I'm struggling other than thinking its the steering box or swivel housing or possibly duff bushes on the panhard. Second question (and it may be linked), I noticed the Steering pump pulley can be moved in and out about 12-15mm, never had to replace one on the disco before so don't know if that's normal? Can anyone advise; hoping the more experienced will know exactly what's causing this. Had the Disco for 6 years and love her - but shes doing my head in with this problem! Cheers for help in advance... Jason