The £750 oil leak!!

[GaryPatt]

Hi, I really need your opinions and advice on this matter.
recently started noticing oil (small amounts, not standing) on my drive under my Disco, on making the time to check I found oil dripping from below the engine but could not trace where source was, took it to local Land rover guy (been helpful in the past) two days later he calls me and says " Oil leak is contaminating cam belt, about £320 quid to do job properly" Ok and yes  i would like it done "properly" please.
So...due to collect Disco on Tuesday and he call me to say " OHHH the starter motor is seized, thinks it coz you been off roading! about £330 to do job properly"

Now....I have owned said Disco for 6 weeks ish, been off road once (stainby Quarry) and have never in all my mud plugging days (10 yrs) had a starter motor sieze on me,Sooo
1. is this a known issue with Land rovers or Discovery?
2. £330? is thios reasonable
3. is there a way to prevent future problems like this?

Gary

[Disco Inferno]

i use mine constantly offorad and it has only ever failed once, i stripped the solenoid, cleaned and its been fine for the last 12 months...............................................................

[Wanderer]

That price is ridiculous.
You can get one for less than £100 and if you've got small hands it's not even a 10 minute job to change on a Disco.
He may be pricing it up on the grief involved on doing it on a 200tdi Defender.

They do fail but I reckon mine was more down to an excess of clutch/brake fluid in the bell housing than mud. With wading plugs fitted there shouldn't really be mud getting to it.

Ed

[Range Rover Blues]

£330 for a starter motor? only if it comes with a free replacement clutch!

Price up the parts from Paddock Motors http://www.paddockspares.com/

Anyone with a small amount of nouse can fit one, and as for 'damaged by offroading' It's a Land Rover for heaven's sake, drop it by parachute into 5 foot of muck and it should still start, it's what they're meant for.

[TUFFTEE]

Thats far too excessive! tell him to clout it with a hammer and start it up! Pay for the oil leak and do the starter yourself! :shock:

[chris9119]

Thats bloody costly. £100/£120 for LR recon unit fit it yourself.

Chris

ps: they do break through various reasons. I've had three starters in 18mths (but then again..............., it does get stuck in puddles.

ps: now its fully waterproofed, just like the army.... so i may drop it into some mud to see if it starts.

[Bulli]

If ever i have a problem with my bladder being too full I will give this guy a call. Ask him what drugs he has been taking and if possible nip in and see if it starts. Not that I mistrust garages but if the oil leak wasnt what he told you and you didnt question him, he may be thinking you are a soft touch.
Easy fix, even seen one removed, cleaned and refitted whilst laning.

[GaryPatt]

So ...I am being had by the sounds of it! well i will keep you all posted on the outcome.
Due to collect saturady, thanks again

Gary

[Pike]

£330!!!!!!!!!!!!!eh?........jeez he saw you coming..........tell him to leave the starter,get a workshop manual and get your hands mucky.

[Ben]

Can't remember how much I paid for mine, but I'm sure it was only £70 quid or so. That was for a defender 300TDi, and I fitted it myself, but it can't be much different for a disco - can it?

Got mine from Paddocks, so well worth a call. Last time I bought anything from there, they were doing free delivery on anything over £50 if bought on the web.

You will get your hands dirty with this one though - make sure you've got plenty of hand cleaner (swarfega type stuff)  :lol:

While you're out, pop to B&Q and buy a hammer to keep in the Disco so that you can tap the starter until you get round to doing it...

Cheers

Ben

[GaryPatt]

Checked the prices and you guys were right.Soooo...picking car up on monday now and told said bloke "we need to talk"!
keep you posted

Gary