Maintenance on a TD5 Disco 2

[fgrobler]

I'm the new owner of a 1999 Disco 2 TD5 that just wants the best for his ride.
What should I do, maintain, check, change on a regular basis to ensure that I and my Disco have many happy years together.
PS: I'm not a technical, 4x4 boffin so keep it simple please

I also mend to ask: How do you drive it correctly? I've been told never to drive in 5'th gear around town when your rpm might go below 2000. Never gun the engine over 3000 for long durations, etc.

Thanks for everyone that's so willing to help out.

[Estee]

Welcome.

Regular oil and filter changes.

Possibly change all coolant hoses now so you know that they are new

PS: Neither are we

[camelman]

PS: Neither are we

Very true, but you can go a long way with the RAVE manual
fgrobler make sure you get one and you will be a boffin in no time.

[lencilliers]

I might be paranoid but it is a good idea to check or if neccesary replace all your major water hoses.

Here is a list of what I would reccomend:

- check dif oils, replace if dirty
- check transfer case oil, replace if dirty
- do gearbox service
- replace engine oil & oil filters
- replace air filter
- replace brake fluid
- check fanbelt & replace if in doubt
- replace fanbelt tensioner pulley, if needed
- replace diesel filter
- grease propshaft


It just depends what has been serviced recently, if you have a service record to check what has been done. Like I said I am paranoid

[fgrobler]

I also mend to ask: How do you drive it correctly? I've been told never to drive in 5'th gear around town when your rpm might go below 2000. Never gun the engine over 3000 for long durations, etc.

Thanks for everyone that's so willing to help out.

[Estee]

Not paranoid Len, all of the above should be standard when buying a used vehicle, any vehicle for that matter. Good advice.

Not only the RAVE but also this forum will assist in helping where possible. I have learned quite a bit since joining

[lencilliers]

fgrobler, As a diesel is not a high revving engine it makes most of its power just above 2000rpm, so I would say just use common sense when driving and try keeping your RPM's on the lower side of 3000rpm .
If you do rev it a bit harder do not do it for continuous periods, and also let it idle a bit before switching off the ignition after long drives, this will extend the life of your turbo.

[Quadiago]

Welcome to the Landy family! I'm also very non-technical (I work in-front of a computer all day) and I've also recently bought I disco 2 td5. The guy that sold me to me had it checked out before I got it, so I haven't done much myself to check it out yet. However, two things I would advise, check the water hoses as everyone suggests and then also check your u-joints/propshafts. Youtube has a couple of general how-to's u-joints, but its worth having this site in your bookmarks: www.discovery2.co.uk Detailed step-by-step instructions for quite a few DIY repairs are in there. Enjoy it!

[silverspiders]

I know this sounds silly, but also check you have the right tools and your std jack is working. I bought my disco from a surposedly reputable dealer and only discovered the seels on the std jack were blown when I got a flat in the middle of the Karoo. Nothing like a long walk, with a p*ssed off wife and a screaming 2 year old waiting for you when you get back !

As for checking it over, do yourself a favour and ask the guys on this forum for a good, local, landy specialist and spend a few bucks on getting them to give it a once over. As for servicing, this forum is full of guys who have been there, done that. Just ask, I continue to be amazed by the collective knowledge available here.

As for driving, if you can afford it fit a "Madman" monitoriing system or equivalent. Not everyone seems to rate them, but my disco came with one and I am still amazed by how much higher the exhaust temp is on even a mild incline, into a head wind etc. This becomes really important if like me you are up and down the west coast - with a roofrack full and heading into the souther easter you are pushing against a significantly increased resistance. If yours is running std tyres etc, I expect you can happily cruise between 110-120 km/h under 3000 rpm. Not sure about anyone else, but I generally don't feel comfotable going faster especially when loaded up with the family on board.

[camelman]

Not sure about anyone else, but I generally don't feel comfotable going faster especially when loaded up with the family on board.

The journey is the destination, why rush it