Just got a disco 2, very happy with it other than having to fix sunroof leaks and bedline the headliner, and a transfer case bearing I might do tonight. 232k miles still kicking

Changing Rover V8 head gaskets is a pretty easy job for the home mechanic, it's a lovely simple engine to work on

Here in the UK where they're very common still, the vast majority (over 90%) of Discovery 2 models are the 2.5L Td5 diesel, which is an extremely reliable engine and 400,000 miles (650,000 km) is not uncommon. They do suffer from oil getting into the fuel injector harness and travelling back to the ECU, because the injector system is the same type as the VW PD engine. They also suffer head gasket issues, but mainly because the head is at an angle and the block has plastic locating dowels for the head. A new head gasket and the later steel locating dowels and that fixes it. They also suffer from leaking fuel pressure regulators, and on early ones the bolt holding the sprocket to the oil pump can work loose and fall off. Later vehicles have thread lock on the bolt, and all service replacement bolts do also. The factory service schedule actually lists the automatic transmission fluid being changed every 24,000 miles (40,000 km) or 2 years, whichever comes first. Strangely, the filter is only listed as an item at the first 24,000 miles service! There's not a lot that goes wrong with these, either the ZF 4HP22EH for the Td5 and 4.0L V8, or the 4HP24EH for the 4.6L V8, although Td5 models can crack the flex plate. Most here are the 5-speed R380 manual gearbox, which is not as robust. Most issues with those though are to do with the dual mass flywheel fitted to Td5 models. Generally it's considered good advice to change it whenever you change the clutch, although LOF now do a single mass flywheel upgrade kit. What kills them is people running regular gear oil in these rather than the proper Texaco/Caltex/Chevron MTF94 gear oil. The final thing I will add is that if you have the three amigos, check your wheel bearings. Three times we had it when we owned one (we had a 2000 model year Td5 from 2004 to 2017) and each time it was a wheel bearing. When the bearing goes, the air gap becomes too big and the speed sensor no longer registers, saying you've got a faulty wheel speed sensor. It's the first port of call before delving deeper into the ABS system.

The ABS module in these things is shared with the Hummer H1. The "Three Amigos" Is the "Dos Amigos" on the Hummer. To fix it on the disco is super easy since the ABS modulator is really easy to get to. It's caused by a bad solder in the modulator shuttle valve. All you need to do is take the bottom of the modulator off and solder in bypass wires that connect to the engine harness and the factory ground. Once those external bypass wires are installed, the amigos go away for good. There are a couple of YT videos on how to do it. On the Hummer its a PITA because you have to take the modulator out to do it.

HG gasket failure: do the inline thermostat mod (less than $100). The factory cooling design does cause overheating. Valve cover leak: Do the PCV mod ($6 for the valve). A clogged oil separator (plastic piece) can cause too high crankcase pressure which can lead to leaks. A PCV valve is much easier to clean. Mods can be done in less than an hour. Google the forums for details.

Only need "deep pockets" if you rely on a mechanic to work on your cars because you may not be mechanically inclined. This engine ( actually the entire car ) is just a big Lego set, so easy to take apart and put back together, and parts are easily available since it was sold worldwide.

The big thing to look out for on these is the Land Rover badge on the front.

Owning a disco is fun! You feel like you are going on an adventure every time you drive it . Yes they can be fussy but you learn to love the quarks, parts are honestly so easy to get online. If you have mechanical abilities they aren’t to difficult to work on. Take the chance on one!!!

I really like these especially the boxy styling - I hate the current Discovery and all the new LR products. They’re also hideously unreliable and cheaply built. Old school is definately the best and I wouldn’t think twice about investing money in one of these over anything new. Great video Wizard

Thanks for sharing. Actually diagnosed a burnt wire to the fuel pump on my dad's disco tonight. Cool how that happened the same time you posted this video. Its been sitting in the shop for years and yes it has a bad head gasket. He has mud tires, lights, heavy bumper and a winch. I think it's a super cool truck for offroad.

The 1st generation discoveries are some of the best SUVs on this planet. Not because they are very reliable, (well mine has been really reliable but apparently it's the exception that makes the rule), but because how easily they are repairable by even the owner. Their engines, drivetrains and suspension are very simple and they do not require many if any special tools.

The only discovery you’ll make is how deep pockets really can go.

95 percent of all land rovers in Ireland and indeed Europe are diesels,,it's very rare to see a petrol one,,the diesels can go 300k miles plus if looked after...

It looks great, love the styling. The twin globe headlights really help it to still look modern. These have aged well. If this D2 had a full detail & some cosmetic items fixed, it would look fantastic..

I had a 2001 and the gas mileage was killing me, so I had to get rid of it. One of the best "feeling" cars to drive. The seating position really gives a commanding feel. Loved it.

Great intro vidjo on the Disco, Car Wizard! I have a 98 Disco 1 that I rescued a couple of years ago and love it. It had been sitting in a barn for 8 years after it failed inspection due to a very rusty frame, floor and firewall. I spend half my summer underneath it fixing all that, along with some pretty dodgy previous electrical "repairs". It's now a very solid truck that I mostly use to tow stuff in the summer, and as my main winter ride. These are very quiet and comfortable, even somewhat luxurious, and they are unstoppable in snow! That's a very good thing, cuz I live in Canada. Cheers!

Never messed with Disco 2's, but I've got a few imported Defender 110 diesels. When people ask me how it is to drive them, the best answer I've come up with is that it's a gentleman's tractor. Love them. Strange to see you go through this one and find how many parts are familiar. I constantly check my local wrecking yards for Disco 1's to get parts for my Defenders. -- tons of parts are pretty much identical or can be easily modified to fit.

Those Land Rover Discovery 1's were a very popular vehicle to scrap during the Cash-for-Clunkers program. I saw dozens of them at the local Pick-and-Pull scrapyards during those years.

Mr Wizard! Thank you for the great review on the Discos🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 You just said it btw. Get to know them before buying them 👍🏼 as long things get situated with gaskets and amigos etc. You’re all good to go. It’s unfortunate people who bought these failed to perform the proper maintenance on them, and didn’t read the manual. The highest mileage I’ve seen on a D2 was near 260k and still pushing…

I fell in love with Land rovers when I was a kid watching Daktari . Having friends that have owned them I will pass . I would consider restoring one from the 50's or 60's .

these discos are actually fun , not only to drive, but also to work on... that's if you have the time and more importantly, the space. the disco community is also so helpful... i used to work on fords and hondas, the LR discos are kind of emo with it's issues and the community is very good at diagnosing and reminding not to shoot the "parts cannon." the undercarriage of this disco was identical to the very first disco i owned... it was a great day when there were no leak spots on the floor!

I love my 2000 land rover discovery 2 v8, yes it did blow a head gasket and its still on my front lawn waiting to be repaired (for the past 9 months) but i still love it. I grew up in one of these, my dad had one and would always take us out camping and from a young kid i fell in love with these discos. I know they have alot of gremlins but i will most likely always fork out the money to repair it.

awesome as always.thanks for sharing and taking us along

My TD5 Commercial is heading on to 300k miles. I am at my third transfer box and I have the air suspension on the back one time fully restored. I had the chainwheel disaster happen to my engine ones, but that is almost 150k miles ago. Last my key receiver box in the sealing went belly up and is replaced. The strut towers and the rear chassis has been welded but I love here to bits. She is not my daily and next to my Unimog S404 she is not the best 4x4 I have, but she still competes in trails and is a happy bunny.

Hey Wizard & Mrs Wizard, thanks for sharing another informative video!!! 👍👍🙂

My wife wanted one so against my better judgment I bought her one. Worst decision EVER! I think the longest it ever ran between trips to first the dealership and after the warranty ran out an independent shop was three weeks. Was happy when it was rear-ended and totaled. Bought her a Lexus after that and thankfully she just replaces it with another Lexus when it's time to change vehicles.

Still got my 1998 3.9 Efi 350,000 km still going strong, pulls like a train when its needed. Went through a major rebuild of all the axles & transfer box, cylinder heads & cam shaft, sorted all the issues out. Didn’t give it a lift or a snorkel, no checker plate either. Still gets me where I need to go. No auto headlights, abs, traction control, hill descent, auto wipers, lane departure assist, just a key to start it!

20+ years and still love my D1 Another tip, you're looking at one with a bad head gasket check the compression, if it leaks down in a middle cylinder it could be a dropped liner, if it's an end cylinder it's prob an easy fix. More of a D2/Bosch issue but can show up on the D1.

Had one of those...main problem is chassis rust, but the inner wheel arches can also rust. Water ingress is also a problem, but mostly easy to fix....'a' pillar and sunroof. I did like it a lot...mine was a TD5 diesel of course in the UK...but sold it due to the rust. I would definitely buy another one without the rust. 3 amigos is usually a sticking valve in the ABS pump...easy fix.

The first car the Buick V8 was used on in the UK was the P5B Saloon/Coupe. The queens private car. I have owned 2 Saloons, Wish I still owned them now.

In the UK you used to be able to pick up a running D2 for under £1000. These days "average" ones are £4000, good ones are £6000 or more and people are selling mint ones for £15000. I think people have realised that, after the Defender, a D1/D2 is "the" Land Rover to own.

They are collectible, because you can't reliably drive them so they collect in your garage.

The Oldsmobile version of the 215 had an extra row of head bolts since Olds was turbocharging some F85s and Cutlasses. The Olds 215 then had fewer head gasket issues than the Buicks did. British Leyland acquired molds and other tooling for both versions, and then went cheap.

Soccer moms loved these in the late 90’s and early 2000’s - great for off-roading to the local mall.

Thanks for the info. Here in Dallas I’m amazed at how many you see on the road.

Hi Wizard, love the content.👍 Quick question, do you use a sonic parts washer for cleaning?

I just got a 2000 disco 2 … put a rebuild motor with a 4.6 & rebuild trans & transfer case … I love it … runs like new again

Keep up the disco content! I’m a fellow Kansan that has a few daily drivers. I have a ‘98 D1 and an ‘04 camp rig. My fiancé has an ‘02 daily mocked up as a G4 challenge rig.

I really enjoy these videos. I had a series 1 when I lived in Denver. I wish you give an “you can expect to pay” for each major issue, what do you charge to do head gasket? Thanks!

My parents had one from like 2005-2017. Learned to drive on it - great truck!!

Great video as always Wizard. I’ve had 4 disco’s (two on the drive now). Just pulled the latest one out of a field for less then the price of a repaint and heads. These are great cars and I echo that they certainly are becoming classics. Cheers.

If you live in the rust area, check the rear frame, its very common that they rot there and also check if the 4x4 lever still works and not disconnected as its controlled with wire and not electronic

....and this model has anti rust feature on the underside (oil leaking keeps the corrosion down ) and makes the nuts and bolts easier to undo......

My Discovery 2 is at 230,000! It definitely requires love, but it’s worth it.

Hey Wizard, You’ve gotta talk about the 2013-19 Ford Escape, I work at a Ford store and these cars come in on flatbeds every single day with major failures. I’ve heard mainly transmissions and head gaskets from the owners that have them trailered or towed in. The salesmen flock over these people like flies and try and get them to trade them in.

Disco Mk1 prices going up here in the UK, especially very clean ones. I hope they do anyway because I am so deep into welding up a 3.9 ES I paid £375 GBP for it would be nice if it was worth something at the end!

Head gaskets Oil pan gasket Timing cover gasket Radiator Interior seat switches Flex disks Rear air suspension Brake calipers, (on disco 1) Horn buttons Electrical system Spark plug wires

After the ABS on my 97 Disco kicked in and caused me to go thru a red light while towing a trailer, I disabled the ABS and never looked back. As a bonus, my front brake pads and rotors lasted 3X longer without the ABS. Oh, and it still stops just fine without the ABS. One thing you didn't point out Wizard was that unusual parking brake... On the rear drive shaft. If you drive the car with it engaged, it will deatroy the transmission, which is very expensive to replace. I "collected" my 97 in 99 and have driven it ever since. There have been some issues here and there, but it has actually been pretty reliable. The OEM springs and shocks on Disco 1 are crap. I replaced with OME springs, Bilstien shocks within a year or two. Vig improvwment and they last! And, yes, they are pretty easy to work on. A lot of stuff is designed to be repaired with very basic tools or no tools at all. The Disco 1 headlights are glass and don't fog up or yellow like the plastic ones. The Disco 1 also has black paint where the plastic trim was broken or missing from that Disco 2. The Disco 1 has metal bumpers with easily replaced plastic end caps, too. If I recall correctly, that 2004 Disco 2 was the last year they used the body on frame design (very heavy duty, 1 ton rated) AND the last year with the Buick-derived all aluminum V8. After all, at Ford bought the brand on 2000 and probably didn't fully appreciate the GM engine. The brand was again sold, this time to Tata of India (Mahindra tractors).

I remember the ads for the air bag suspension, they said in off road the inflated rear bags would add ground clearance. My grandma had one! She loved it.

Walmart for headlight polishing, best actual deal. In the auto center.

I'm just here to give a thumbs up for the 2000s scene band reference

I remember when this was what people pointed to when they said modern SUVs are crap.

Great tour

Please do a video on the 1st generation Lincoln Navigators. Are they still reliable and can you still find aftermarket parts for them

The transfer case also leaks out of the intremediate shaft at the front of housing ! Uni joints can fail on the carden joint due to no grease nipples and moisture from the A.C. drain !

"These ones are little hazed over." 🤣🤣🤣

How hard would it be to install a 4.4 or 5.0 from a LR3/LR4?

rear output shaft gear to mutch slack. grears have to mutch play. mine broke around 188000 km multiple times. cluch broke 3 times until upgraded to defender versoin. blown engine due to jumped timing, Greabox went out same time. Drove great. Engine tilt to front so air stays in the head. Or vacuum fill or drill a plug at highest spot so you can bleed easy.

Nice video WIZARD. coil packs, rear main seal, and T-stat are other common issues. I have a 2004 with 223,000 miles. 2 head gaskets later. Still love it but always fixing something.

How does the Head Hasket get fixed once and for all? Cooling sistem? After it gets blown and make all the repairs

I bought an 04 in need of a head gasket. Turns out the first owner (I'm 3rd) really loved this car and had the engine top hat sleeved. I thought I struck gold... Until I've had 7 of the threads strip out of the engine block. It's been a nightmare and so far I've done the passenger head 4x just to do 1 HG job. The drivers side coming up to the same number at this point. I'm a Mechanic by trade and have experience on older Rovers, but what I thought would be a fun project has been a lesson in pain.

As a dad, I approve of this thumbnail. 👍🏼

This is one of my all time favorite SUV’s / actual off-roaders. Will get one some day.

I had 2002 Land Rover Discovery II SE model. I bought three years with low miles certified preowned. I couldn’t wait to sell the car once I got it paid off.

It's all about the smiles per gallon with these trucks IYKYK

Funny thing about the GM 215 (That's read Buick & Olds 215) --- People will see 215 Pontiac listed somewhere, and think it's the V-8 (the common BOP mindset). It's not. The Pontiac 215 is a cast iron, inline six, built only in 1964 & 1965 for the Tempest and Lemans models.

I would suggest to the customer that they consider reconditioning the headlights if not right now then perhaps at some point in the future. So long as they're not cracked. I certainly understand that they don't want to restore the whole thing, but the hazy headlights is more of a safety concern at least for me it would be.

V8's (You lucky people) best keep the cooling system in top order. Steering boxes, don't turn the steering wheel until the road wheels are rolling. Three Amigos, usually a wheel sensor, a common fault. However, I have never had that issue because I don't dunk my car in cold muddy water. 110 miles - nicely run in. 180 thou in my TD5. High mileages are common. Wow, that is so clean underneath! Rear output gearbox seals can go as well as the transfer box and are unobtainable, but a recon box can be purchased from Ashcroft Transmissions. You are a Top Man Car Wizard!

ya know i dont think car wizzard will see this but i have a question, on my car (2000 pontiac grand am with the 2.4l engine has an abs code that comes on intermittently but only when the car has just been started and take a turn and DING on goes my abs light my service vehicle soon light and my trac off light. and when i plug my scan tool in the only code i ever see is a c1225 code saying “left front excessive wheel speed sensor variation” and i have no idea wtf that means!

The DiscoDivas 1 and 2 are my great loves. Looks and all. My father sold his D2 and argued that it wasn't a car for me . Ha! If there is one car I would hug goodnight, it is a Disco! Hard to keep tho as I don't have a driver's licence.... 😢 15 K SEK is just the start fir the darn expensive lil card.

I had the TD5 auto, 2000 plate. The sun roof’s leaked when I got it. Took them out and fixed them took the cloth roof off and painted the roof lining. New water pump. Then had it for 5 years and sold it for what I had paid. Great car but the engine had been modified and it only did 17 miles per gallon on a good day

03-04 were 4HP24’s since being 4.6L. Transfer cases are 3 o rings the rest is sealant. Land Rover has pretty much discontinued everything now on a D2 unfortunately.

Collectible, as a child. I always wanted one, because of the so many windows. Like a vee-dub bus... (23window.)😊

Before even watching it - external head gasket coolant leaks, slipped cylinder liners that make it sound like a steam engine, external oil leaks, thermostat failures, rusting at the front drive shaft double-cardan joint from the HVAC drain, secondary air system and transfer case leaks. Did I list everything? Nope I forgot about the ABS module failures as well. Ok now let’s watch it.

The engine created by Buick ended up as the 3800 V6 in the end. My 94 4.2 Rover V8 had the top hat liners installed with ARP studs. Never had another issue.

Excellent video for peps wanting to do their own mechanical work in this current era.

What is your take on the Range Rover Velar? I’ve always driven Acura’s but now I’m think I switching over to Range Rover, a lot of people say you should lease them and give it back but I’m not big on leasing. Should I take the plunge and hope for the best or just stick with Acura

9:02 ... double Cardano joint...after the Italian mathematician Gerolamo Cardano, who was an early writer on gimbals, although his writings mentioned only gimbal mountings, not universal joints.

I had a very rusty 1975 VW Rabbit. In the middle of winter it developed a head-gasket leak. Being far too cold in Minnesota to do a proper fix, I just took a chance and overtightened the head bolts by 20%. The bolts were beefy and screwing into a cast-iron block so only minor butterflies in the stomach. The car ran perfectly for 2 years until rust finally conquered the frame. Has anyone explored overtorquing these slimmed-down Buick engines??

Not had any problems with my D2 v8, 240k smooth and reliable, just chassis/ fraim rust problem's

how about cracked blocks behind the cylinder sleeves .

Another source for info is LR Time - Vera and Christian usually post on Sunday's

I miss my 1998 Disco I. I had way over 100K, and it ran like a champ! Also installed a 2 inch lift kit on it. Rock solid truck, and the only reason i got rid of it, is because the damn sunroofs leaked, and when it was time to change my fuel pump, which is one of the easiest ever to do on these vehicles, i noticed that my whole floor under the carpet was pure rust. just broke my heart.

I've read that the cylinder sleeves are slipping down causing the head gasket issue.

Lots of hate for the disco here. The truth is, they are very simple vehicles and dare I say reliable. You wont see many with low miles - this proves they are reliable. The ones with bad blocks have been disposed of or fixed. They provide a unique driving experience - a proper off road rig that can take your family and gear.

I've seen that the front driveshaft is in danger of going out because one of the joints there is so near the exhaust that the lube dries out and the joint fails, flailing against the trans and undercarriage as it goes.

I have always liked those but its the head gasket issues that has kept me from getting one

Have a '97 that got to 350k-ish miles. Was run off the road and jumped 2.5 concrete culverts. No injuries on my part but the Rover is in traction at the moment. Think I'll buy a couple more and I'll have enough parts to keep one going for several years. 🙂

oh and don't forget the steel liners often start slipping and can tap you will hear it when warm at idle

Wizard for president! :p Watching in Armenia. Best of luck to you! :)

sold my 03 on BAT for 30k and I only paid 2500 for it and out about 4-5 in it

Just bought a 2000 discovery with 120k miles and man I can tell you it’s definitely a project car 100%. I could only find 2 mechanics out of like 30 in the city that would touch it. I hate it and I love it but she needs a lot of work to look solid.

Would you put in a 5.3 engine in one?

I got lucky and found a running 01 D2se7 with very minor issues, only paid 2K for it With a set of 5 off-road rims and tires already on it and the original 5 rims.. The body looks great, with no dents or rust. The front and rear bumper didn't look that great, though, and I would have replaced them anyway. 160k miles. the headliner had already been rhino lined. Lots of the little upgrades that people do where already done to this one.

Mr Wizard, Please help which to buy..... 2013 mazda 6 gj gt wagon 94.000 kms Or 2008 lexus rx 350 luxurt sport 157.000 kms?

I am a 96 D1 owner and you have to be diligent with maintenance - LR's are not Toyota Honda Subaru for sure. Now a days customers will not stand for a vehicle that has a lot of problems at 100K miles - I also have an 01 Toyo LC and the build quality between the LC and Disco are night and day of course I think I paid less than $30 for my SD Disco and $55-60k for the LC but my LC has about 200K and the Disco 100K and the LC still seems like a new car compared to the D1.

Got one just like it. Refurbing the XYZ switch solves the 3 amigos problem. The central locking system is hard chipped into the underhood fuse box, window motors and regulators fail regularly.... and as you mention, the head gaskets.. stretch bolts are a trip to "torque".

Budget $5k to fix the problems it will have when you buy it, and then another $2k per year for ongoing maintenance and repair. Plus, as others have said, you will worry each time you drive it that you’ll “discover” some new issue. I’ve had my 2000 since new, and I love the way it looks and drives, and I cherish the memories, but by now I’ve replaced most of the original parts, including the engine. Thank goodness for extended warranties!

OMG, Wizard!! You mean there was a time when Hoovie actually was a "shrewd negotiator" and even made some money selling cars??? I guess there IS a God after all! Miracles will never ceas!!!

I have heard that some of these engines actually wear through the cylinder wall and that causes blown head gaskets. Have you ever seen that?