Nursing a Disco 3

[Cuthy246]

My dad had a Disco 3 for a couple years. Bought new when it was released and spent more time in the dealership than on the road. Worst one we had was when we had gone out to a friends farm (about 3 hours from nearest town) did a bit of off roading up a mountain track and on the way down we stopped for some food and the central locking/alarm system decided it didn't like existing anymore and refused to do anything except set off the alarm and continuously fire the door locks. Had to get it towed down the mountain the next day. Shortly after it was replaced with a Nissan Patrol (should have been petrol as it was so thirsty) which was very nice indeed and also the car I learned to drive in on the same farm.

 

[stuvy]

My dad had a Disco 3 for a couple years. Bought new when it was released and spent more time in the dealership than on the road. Worst one we had was when we had gone out to a friends farm (about 3 hours from nearest town) did a bit of off roading up a mountain track and on the way down we stopped for some food and the central locking/alarm system decided it didn't like existing anymore and refused to do anything except set off the alarm and continuously fire the door locks. Had to get it towed down the mountain the next day. Shortly after it was replaced with a Nissan Patrol (should have been petrol as it was so thirsty) which was very nice indeed and also the car I learned to drive in on the same farm.

what engine was in the patrol?

 

[aguycalledsteve]

Black box solutions>Nanocom.

Not cheap but when you sell the diso you'll be able to sell the unit on with no problem.

https://blackbox-solutions.com/

Worth it's weight in gold.

I regret selling mine last year.

 

[tom2207]

Most unreliable vehicle I ever owned was a land cruiser 80series
Most reliable was my discovery 3
Unbelievable isn’t it!

yes.

 

[pressbrake1]

yes.

But it’s true
I sent my land cruiser out to Africa in kit form the pos
I sold my d3 five years ago and I know the owner and it’s still good other than a suspension compressor

 

[armalites]

Most unreliable vehicle I ever owned was a land cruiser 80series
Most reliable was my discovery 3
Unbelievable isn’t it!

There is a surprising amount of people on the D3 forum who say theirs has been the most reliable car they've owned.

The R number for Land Rover problems is about 1000, one person gets an issue and 1000 people know about it

 

[Cuthy246]

what engine was in the patrol?

The 4.8l inline 6 petrol. Automatic too hence the thirst.

 

[brewdexta]

The thing didn't miss a beat for about a week then it happened when dropping the youngest off at outdoor band practice.

I've narrowed it down to two codes and have found somebody on the Disco 3 forum who had very similar symptoms.

Codes are C112F - air spring valve and C1130 airspring air supply

This is the thread on the Disco 3 forum that describes the probably cause, almost identical symptoms of nose a bit down.

In his case it needed a new rear valve block and reservoir valve block, probably about 75 quid and 65 quid each respectively if I shop around although I believe it is possible to clean the valves and put new O-rings in but I don't mind paying for a new valve. I've given the info to a local garage and will probably drop it off next week when the bits are in but he may have a second look with his more expensive diagnostic box first and have a general poke about.

 

[Domdom]

This has worked well until I had the compressor swapped out about 8 months ago.

Out if interest, when the compressor was replaced did you get the software updated? This is a critical part of the process as the newer compressors cut out at a lower pressure. If it isn’t done the new compressor is likely to overheat.

As for diag tools I have a Faultmate MSX2 Extreme which is good, but more recently I bought the IID Tool which is leaps and bounds better. If you plan to keep the car for a while the IID is worth its weight in gold. You will also get 75% of the cost back if you sell it on.

 

[brewdexta]

Out if interest, when the compressor was replaced did you get the software updated? This is a critical part of the process as the newer compressors cut out at a lower pressure. If it isn’t done the new compressor is likely to overheat.

Good question no idea though, I took it to a reasonably local Land Rover Specialist. I probably have the bill in a two foot pile of receipts, if it has been itemized then I may be able to find out.

 

[Domdom]

Unless they are good, and I mean they know these things inside out to molecular level, AND they have access to the software required the chances are very low indeed.

I’ve had 2 D3s and now have a D4 and the things can drive you crazy with this kind of malarkey. Definitely get the software updated. If you know of a chap called Ian Bodsworth he is a mobile Discovery specialist and will come to you. If you don’t find him in the Disco groups let me know and I’ll ping you his number. Damn fine chap.

 

[reb78]

If this link works, these are the O-rings i bought for mine. All three valve blocks are rebuildable.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Discover...1?pageci=b78324d6-3ae7-4907-a771-d766e6a1c97a

 

[armalites]

Out if interest, when the compressor was replaced did you get the software updated? This is a critical part of the process as the newer compressors cut out at a lower pressure. If it isn’t done the new compressor is likely to overheat.

As for diag tools I have a Faultmate MSX2 Extreme which is good, but more recently I bought the IID Tool which is leaps and bounds better. If you plan to keep the car for a while the IID is worth its weight in gold. You will also get 75% of the cost back if you sell it on.

The problem is things have changed a bit.

The original compressor was a Hitachi then LR started fitting a AMK which as you say requires a software update. Now you you can buy direct swap Dunlop compressors as well AMK replacements that don't need a software update and will run on the old software. This will make servicing/repairing these things in the future a real pain.

I have an MSV2 Extreme from when I first started playing with D2, I have an IID PRO which make the MSV2 like an old 386 PC

 

[reb78]

I have an MSV2 Extreme from when I first started playing with D2, I have an IID PRO which make the MSV2 like an old 386 PC

Haha. I like that.

 

[armalites]

If this link works, these are the O-rings i bought for mine. All three valve blocks are rebuildable.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Discover...1?pageci=b78324d6-3ae7-4907-a771-d766e6a1c97a

As long as you don't have intermittant wiring faults the air suspension is really very simple. You can strip/clean one of the valve blocks in 15mins. Normal problem is the dust from the desicant clogging them up. They are actually quite well built those valve blocks