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Only problem is, 7 seater wasn't type approved for coils so may have insurance problems
- Thread starter Wozzaaah
- Start date
Only problem is, 7 seater wasn't type approved for coils so may have insurance problems
I do diagnostic work on TD5s for a local Landrover guy as he is into older stuff.
You will get many opinions on them, overall they are pretty good but there are a few issues that are cheap/easy to fix which get ignored and then cause more issues.
If it is an original 7 seater it should be on air springs.That where it's complicated.
I've seen loads at auction that have some and often not all the correct bits for 7 seats that were originally 5 seats.
I've seen 7 seaters runnings coil where there ECUs had not been reconfigured so the dash is lit up like a Xmas tree.
I've fitted coils for someonme but I wouldn't do it to my own. The air suspension is actually very reliable. What normally happens is they get to around 8 years old and a bag starts leaking, because it pumps up ok in the morning people just keep driving them and eventually the compressor will die because it's only supposed to run 10%. You will be amazed when you watch them how many are sat at junctions completely unaware that their suspension is pumping up.
Genuine OEM bags are only £55+ vat now and they are easy to change so there is no excuse.
The big issue may come if you have a crash and the insurance guy knows it should be air springs.If a 5 seater on air springs was converted to coils it would probably be ok as you could argue the toss but as already mentioned Landrover never got type approval for 7 seats with coils
Personally I don't think they drive as well with coils especially when loaded up.
Oil in the red plug in the engine ECU very common(behind the battery), cheap fix injector loom about £45. Causes misfires, poor starting, if left will kill the ECU.
Air flow sensors fail, sometimes they will read zero and the ECU will default to standard program you'll never notice, sometime they'll give the wrong readings and cause performance issues.Disconnecting it will revive the performance
Fuel pressure regulators leak, fiddly but simple enough to replace.The new ones are a different design.
Fuel coolers leak but you can replace the seals, a fidly job but cheaper than a new cooler.
Turbo Wastegate actuators can seize up and the ECU will hold the engine back, easy fix with some WD40.
Injector washers fail and pump diesel into the sump so keep checking the oil, if it looks like it's going up then you have that problem.
Fuel pumps go, don't use a pattern one, use a genuine or an OEM VDO pump, top tip to prolong the life don't drive round with the tank empty as the pumps like to be submerged.This tends to be more of an issue for people who don't do many miles.The pumps are very vocal and I can tell from in the house when ours is getting low on fuel.
Ignition barrels can fail too, if you starting having trying turning a few times to get it to turn then get it changed asap or it will leave you stranded. I would recommend replacing the sheer bolts with some standard or allen cap bolts, that way if the ignition does fails then the AA/RAC or yourself will be able to get you going by taking the steeering lock off the column.
The gearbox requires a special MTF94 spec oil not normal EP90 like the transfer box and diffs. I run synthetic oil in ours(not MTF94) and the gear change is much smoother especially when cold
When you unlock the with the remote if the led in the dash is flashing rapidly the battery in the remote needs changing
www.discovery2.co.uk for loads of info
www.greenoval.com for rave CD downloads
Sounds like they are loads of trouble but they are not, I generally only see ones with problems.
Ours has 167K on it and still going strong and has lost no more than £1000 in the last 4 years so as far as whole life cost go they are very good.In 50k miles we had 2 air springs,injector loom,an alternator,water pump,fuel pump and fuel pressure reg. That may sound bad but if we had bought a Zafira or other 7 seater it would be worth about £400 now.
If you plan to keep it and need tyres I can recommend BFG All Terrains, about £110 each but they will do 60-80K miles without any issues.
If you need any more info drop me a PM
regards
Carl
You will get many opinions on them, overall they are pretty good but there are a few issues that are cheap/easy to fix which get ignored and then cause more issues.
If it is an original 7 seater it should be on air springs.That where it's complicated.
I've seen loads at auction that have some and often not all the correct bits for 7 seats that were originally 5 seats.
I've seen 7 seaters runnings coil where there ECUs had not been reconfigured so the dash is lit up like a Xmas tree.
I've fitted coils for someonme but I wouldn't do it to my own. The air suspension is actually very reliable. What normally happens is they get to around 8 years old and a bag starts leaking, because it pumps up ok in the morning people just keep driving them and eventually the compressor will die because it's only supposed to run 10%. You will be amazed when you watch them how many are sat at junctions completely unaware that their suspension is pumping up.
Genuine OEM bags are only £55+ vat now and they are easy to change so there is no excuse.
The big issue may come if you have a crash and the insurance guy knows it should be air springs.If a 5 seater on air springs was converted to coils it would probably be ok as you could argue the toss but as already mentioned Landrover never got type approval for 7 seats with coils
Personally I don't think they drive as well with coils especially when loaded up.
Oil in the red plug in the engine ECU very common(behind the battery), cheap fix injector loom about £45. Causes misfires, poor starting, if left will kill the ECU.
Air flow sensors fail, sometimes they will read zero and the ECU will default to standard program you'll never notice, sometime they'll give the wrong readings and cause performance issues.Disconnecting it will revive the performance
Fuel pressure regulators leak, fiddly but simple enough to replace.The new ones are a different design.
Fuel coolers leak but you can replace the seals, a fidly job but cheaper than a new cooler.
Turbo Wastegate actuators can seize up and the ECU will hold the engine back, easy fix with some WD40.
Injector washers fail and pump diesel into the sump so keep checking the oil, if it looks like it's going up then you have that problem.
Fuel pumps go, don't use a pattern one, use a genuine or an OEM VDO pump, top tip to prolong the life don't drive round with the tank empty as the pumps like to be submerged.This tends to be more of an issue for people who don't do many miles.The pumps are very vocal and I can tell from in the house when ours is getting low on fuel.
Ignition barrels can fail too, if you starting having trying turning a few times to get it to turn then get it changed asap or it will leave you stranded. I would recommend replacing the sheer bolts with some standard or allen cap bolts, that way if the ignition does fails then the AA/RAC or yourself will be able to get you going by taking the steeering lock off the column.
The gearbox requires a special MTF94 spec oil not normal EP90 like the transfer box and diffs. I run synthetic oil in ours(not MTF94) and the gear change is much smoother especially when cold
When you unlock the with the remote if the led in the dash is flashing rapidly the battery in the remote needs changing
www.discovery2.co.uk for loads of info
www.greenoval.com for rave CD downloads
Sounds like they are loads of trouble but they are not, I generally only see ones with problems.
Ours has 167K on it and still going strong and has lost no more than £1000 in the last 4 years so as far as whole life cost go they are very good.In 50k miles we had 2 air springs,injector loom,an alternator,water pump,fuel pump and fuel pressure reg. That may sound bad but if we had bought a Zafira or other 7 seater it would be worth about £400 now.
If you plan to keep it and need tyres I can recommend BFG All Terrains, about £110 each but they will do 60-80K miles without any issues.
If you need any more info drop me a PM
regards
Carl
- Messages
- 17,450
Why the heck do I need to join a LR forum with info like that from our members? 
Thanks very much for that Carl, no lights on the dash so I'm assuming the ECU has been reprogrammed.
Reading up, it seems that air is the better system, especially for towing though wifey only tows a few times a year and only ever to local shows.
If I hadn't asked on here I genuinely wouldn't have known it should have air suspension, I thought it was only the higher spec models that had it.
Thanks again everyone, as always, you've been a great help.
Thanks very much for that Carl, no lights on the dash so I'm assuming the ECU has been reprogrammed.
Reading up, it seems that air is the better system, especially for towing though wifey only tows a few times a year and only ever to local shows.
If I hadn't asked on here I genuinely wouldn't have known it should have air suspension, I thought it was only the higher spec models that had it.
Thanks again everyone, as always, you've been a great help.
octo0072000
Member
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- 6,022
- Location
- south yorks
just a bit to add to carls comprehensive guide
if the oil smell of diesel
that's the fuel pressure reg leaking into the sump
get the oil changed asap that's why you see quite a few on ebay as spare blown engine they like to get some fresh air into the block
octo0072000
Member
- Messages
- 6,022
- Location
- south yorks
Why the heck do I need to join a LR forum with info like that from our members?
Thanks very much for that Carl, no lights on the dash so I'm assuming the ECU has been reprogrammed.
Reading up, it seems that air is the better system, especially for towing though wifey only tows a few times a year and only ever to local shows.
If I hadn't asked on here I genuinely wouldn't have known it should have air suspension, I thought it was only the higher spec models that had it.
Thanks again everyone, as always, you've been a great help.
other point is it could have been a five seater that's been converted then that
maybe a problem has it got the rear head rest in the roof at the back door or not
somewhere is land rover page that you put the chassis no into to give you the factory build details or you local landy dealer should be able to do this
Now look what you've done now, got me started.
Another cheap fix if you get a clicking starter motor that doesn't turn you can get a solenoid contact set for about £15 that is easy to fit with the starter out and will save you buying a new one.
If you've got ACE and you get a leak(normally rear pipes going rusty) disconnect the connectors to the valve block actuators and top up the fluid. You can then drive the vehicle without ruining the pump as long as it's not pipes to pump that have gone but you won't have full anti-roll bar function.
Another cheap fix if you get a clicking starter motor that doesn't turn you can get a solenoid contact set for about £15 that is easy to fit with the starter out and will save you buying a new one.
If you've got ACE and you get a leak(normally rear pipes going rusty) disconnect the connectors to the valve block actuators and top up the fluid. You can then drive the vehicle without ruining the pump as long as it's not pipes to pump that have gone but you won't have full anti-roll bar function.
octo0072000
Member
- Messages
- 6,022
- Location
- south yorks
looks like it's 7 seat on springs dont worry about common mod on a landy used to be the same mod on the early range rovers back to springs
the snooper
getting older by the day
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- Hull UK
things ive come across
rot around the rear floor, rear wheel arches inside the door shuts, the brackets that secure the rear quarters.
the rear windows (electric) stop working but that's a simple solder job on the pcb
rot around the rear floor, rear wheel arches inside the door shuts, the brackets that secure the rear quarters.
the rear windows (electric) stop working but that's a simple solder job on the pcb
These are 200 and 300 series issues not Disco2/TD5 issues.
this a lr, there be lots of probs. i love the lr wave off other fellow lr owners, thought it was a nice thing but its a sympathetic i recon
