End of the line :-( (or not?!)

[gords]

My Discovery 300TDi ES (1994 M) went for it's MOT today and failed in spectacular style :(

Some of the problems were expected, but it looks like the list is making it uneconomical for me to have fixed.

The list:

• Horn does not function
• Parking brake has no reserve travel
• Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault
• centre front steering damper seal failed and leaking oil
• Nearside registration lamp not working
• Power steering component(s) leaking
• Offside rear shock absorber has negligible damping effect
• Offside rear shock absorber has a serious fluid leak
• Nearside rear brake pipe inadequately clipped
• Offside rear brake pipe inadequately clipped
• Nearside rear wheel bearing excessive roughness in rear wheel bearing
• Offside rear wheel bearing excessive roughness in rear wheel bearing
• Parking brake efficiency below requirements

On top of these MOT failures, it also has a coolant leak somewhere, the gearbox is very notchy, the air-con pump (?) may be on it's way out, at least one UJ needs replacing and the engine smokes!

... all in all, a bit [!Expletive Deleted!] :shock:

So, what do people think is my best option?

1. Repair it?
2. Sell it as it is for what ever I can get?
3. Strip the offroad extras and sell seperately?
4. Break and sell the bits?

The extras are:

4 x 235/85-16 BFG Mud Terrains
+1" springs
ES9000 shock absorbers (I would get the faulty one replaced)
Scorpion winch bumper
Southdown tank guard and tow kit
QT diff quards
LR Short roof rack
Ladder
Dog guard

All suggestions, estimates on prices, etc most welcome...

Mods - sorry if this should be in the Discovery topic, but I wanted as many people to see it as possible. Move it if you need to though.

[Thrasher]

There's nothing too scary on that list Gords :-) Chin up - I haven't MOT'd Piglet yet as I am looking at at least £900 if I replace the cracked Y-Pipe ... feeling better yet????

[strapping young lad]

to be honest
a couple of days with some replacement bits and i would hazard a guess that the majority can be sorted

horn cable maybe dislodged and the number plate bulb is easily replaceable

i would think replacing the shocks wouldnt be too expensive if you arent fussed on top spec

i didnt think the smoke would fail the test but the emissions?

[gords]

In general, the MOT failure list is not all bad but the ABS light is a continuing problem. The sensors won't stay in the right place and I'm told that it could be a very expensive job to fix!?

As well as the MOT issues, it's the other issues as well. All this on top of a few previous heavy garage bills. Unfortunately, I don't have a garage where I can work on the car, nor do I really have the time :roll:

[Edge]

Anti lock abs system............ probably just a dirty/fouled sensor.

[gords]

Anti lock abs system............ probably just a dirty/fouled sensor.

No, it's happened quite a few times before - the sensor moves (or gets pushed out) and the air gap becomes too big. Push them back in and it's OK for a while.

[Edge]

In general, the MOT failure list is not all bad but the ABS light is a continuing problem. The sensors won't stay in the right place and I'm told that it could be a very expensive job to fix!?

As well as the MOT issues, it's the other issues as well. All this on top of a few previous heavy garage bills. Unfortunately, I don't have a garage where I can work on the car, nor do I really have the time :roll:

 :lol:  :lol:  You posted to quick, missed this one :lol: .

[Thrasher]

Gords,

If your bearings are rough I'm not surprised your sensors are working their way out.....cause and effect.

[Hightower]

Unfortunately, I don't have a garage where I can work on the car, nor do I really have the time :roll:

Get it trailered up to Billing and I'm sure there'll be a few of us that can help out for a long weekend . . .  

[dave_2A_2.25Turbo]

Studlock will hold the sensors in under normal conditions, and the ABS is the only expensive thing on your list

There is a way round the ABS for mot purposes as well........involves a bit of wiring but a cheap and quick way to get that bit of paper...

[ben_haynes]

• Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault

for the MOT just put a piece of black insulation tape over the ABS light, I have never had a problem, put loads of Vehicles through like it. :lol:

I know it is a bodge but it works

[beast5680]

If you need to save on garage bills gords let me know have spanners will travel

[TimM]

Quick fix quide from somebody who's relatively useless with a spanner:

Horn does not function - probably wiring/earth, rip it off and fit an air-horn (keep BTM happy and fit a dukes of hazard one)

Parking brake has no reserve travel - tighten it  :roll:

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault - err, i'll pass on that one, but it sounds liek you can already fix it for long enough for the MOT

centre front steering damper seal failed and leaking oil - take it off (it's the fact that it's leakking that failing you) or replace it for £10-£15

Nearside registration lamp not working - bulb?

Power steering component(s) leaking - errrrrrrrrrr - no!

Offside rear shock absorber has negligible damping effect £30 from paddocks - really easy to change the rears


Offside rear shock absorber has a serious fluid leak - see above


Nearside rear brake pipe inadequately clipped - cable ties

Offside rear brake pipe inadequately clipped - more cable ties

Nearside rear wheel bearing excessive roughness in rear wheel bearing
Offside rear wheel bearing excessive roughness in rear wheel bearing
For both - new bearings, about £10 a piece, and this might help your
ABS problem

Parking brake efficiency below requirements - see above (tighten it).


So nothing there too problamatical, except the steering which would depend on where it is leaking.

So I vote for a FIX IT!

[gords]

• Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault

for the MOT just put a piece of black insulation tape over the ABS light, I have never had a problem, put loads of Vehicles through like it. :lol:

I know it is a bodge but it works

Err, no it won't, as the light comes on with the ignition and goes off at 5MPH!

[Bush Tucker Man]

Got to agree, it looks like a lot, but most of it is easily sorted

Horn does not function - probably wiring/earth, rip it off and fit an air-horn (keep BTM happy and fit a dukes of hazard one)

Be nice, but musicals are illegal on a post 1.1.73 registration  (or I'd have them myself
Standard mono-tone twin air-horns are only about £12.00

centre front steering damper seal failed and leaking oil - take it off (it's the fact that it's leakking that failing you) or replace it for £10-£15

Nearside registration lamp not working - bulb?

Power steering component(s) leaking - errrrrrrrrrr - no!

Offside rear shock absorber has negligible damping effect £30 from paddocks - really easy to change the rears


Offside rear shock absorber has a serious fluid leak - see above


Nearside rear brake pipe inadequately clipped - cable ties

Offside rear brake pipe inadequately clipped - more cable ties

Nearside rear wheel bearing excessive roughness in rear wheel bearing
Offside rear wheel bearing excessive roughness in rear wheel bearing
For both - new bearings, about £10 a piece, and this might help your
ABS problem


So I vote for a FIX IT!

Shockers seem to be available from about £10.00(?) mail order

Don't know about the bearing similarities,but I once used Series 3 wheel-bearings in my old 110Tdi as they were identical (but half the price)

[tonycougar]

• Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault

for the MOT just put a piece of black insulation tape over the ABS light, I have never had a problem, put loads of Vehicles through like it. :lol:

I know it is a bodge but it works

Err, no it won't, as the light comes on with the ignition and goes off at 5MPH!

Take the bulb out :D

[Xtremeteam]

• Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault

for the MOT just put a piece of black insulation tape over the ABS light, I have never had a problem, put loads of Vehicles through like it. :lol:

I know it is a bodge but it works

Err, no it won't, as the light comes on with the ignition and goes off at 5MPH!

Take the bulb out :D

it will still fail  

[TimM]

Shockers seem to be available from about £10.00(?) mail order

You can get cheap ones, but Gords has the Procomp ES9000's already so I was working on the basis that he'd want the same.

But another  :idea: , could you claim on the warranty for the shock? don't they have a lifetime warranty  :?

[Xtremeteam]

hmm  :lol:

i need a job,



you need your disco fixed



what would you pay me to come down n do it?

[mark.yellow.series.3]

nothing but a weekends work there. 'brake pipe not clipped'? thats not even a proper job, that will take all of 5 seconds to fix.

[gords]

The rear shock has a lifetime warranty, so that can be replaced.

The handbrake needs stripping down and investigating as the adjuster does not work/tighten.

Wheel bearings just need replacing (I expect).

I agree, most of this is fairly easy to fix but I don't have the time to do it, plus there is the list of other problems lurking about ... and it just makes me worried that more problems are waiting to spring on me!

It's just getting a bit boring spending shedloads of money on the car just to keep it on the road - leaving me no money for winches, bumpers, etc.

[gords]

nothing but a weekends work there. 'brake pipe not clipped'? thats not even a proper job, that will take all of 5 seconds to fix.

Yes, it probably would ... but that's not really the issue here! In the time I've had this car (< 2 years?), I've probably spent the purchase price again on job after job after job  And it still goes on ... the gearbox is on it's way out and the engine is chucking out more and more black smoke. It doesn't appear to have been an MOT issue, but it's not right!

This is my only car and I need to drive it most days, so as of Saturday I have a bit of a problem :roll:

[Tiny Tim]

Repair it and stick with it.

Off roading takes its toll but its money well spent.

Thats about my usual annual list but the way I see it, how many 200,000 km, 1993 vehicles are still going?

My car's market value has dropped dramatically and depreciation makes buying new laughable. Spread all those bills over the lifetime of the car and it dont seem so bad.

I also believe that MOT plays a valuable role as a 3rd party safety check for most part time off-roaders but without a doubt the tightening of MOT standards is making life dearer  

[Thrasher]

Err, no it won't, as the light comes on with the ignition and goes off at 5MPH!

Er Gords ... that is what it is SUPPOSED to do. IF that is the "fault" then I'm afraid the only fault is that someone hasn't read the handbook, or the MOT tester has never had an ABS equpped Discovery in before.

[ChrisW]

Have you used this MOT station much before? Do they have much knowledge of Land Rovers?
I would be inclined to have a look for a Land Rover independent or a 4x4 garage with a test station.

Although saying that, like you say the failure points are likely just the tip of the iceberg, you're probably looking at a £6-700 bill for the gearbox if you don't DIY plus the smoking and coolant loss issues (which could possibly be cylinder head related with a similar bill to the gearbox).

I have the same problem with mine being the everyday car and no access to other transport so it is imperative that it is maintained. I keep looking at these cheap little couple of hundred pound runabouts as something to keep in the garage for when the disco breaks down or even to use for work and keep the disco as the weekend car but I can't make the figures stack up yet when you take insurance and all the rest into consideration.

In my opinion, if I were in your situation, I would be seriously considering something along the lines of stripping all the hardware and putting in the shed and breaking the car to finance a reasonable everyday car with a few quid for an older disco to play at weekends.

[dave_2A_2.25Turbo]

Err, no it won't, as the light comes on with the ignition and goes off at 5MPH!

Er Gords ... that is what it is SUPPOSED to do. IF that is the "fault" then I'm afraid the only fault is that someone hasn't read the handbook, or the MOT tester has never had an ABS equpped Discovery in before.

What Gords means is that putting tape over the light/taking the bulb out will not work BECAUSE the light is supposed to come on with the ignition  & then go out..... and the MOT tester knows this, so if it doesn't come on at all it's not working

Two ways round it: remove all sensors & disconnect all ABS connectors - vehicle is no longer ABS equipped, so no longer a fail (remove bulb if neccessary).  Or wire a time- delay relay into the bulb circuit - as long as the light comes on with the ignition & goes out after a few seconds the tester will be none the wiser.

[gords]

Well, the current plan is to take it off the road this weekend (MOT expires Friday) and for me to fix as much as I can. The garage can do anything I can't manage.

Then once it has an MOT, sell it.

[dazzawhipple]

Well if your selling it will you replace it?


my thinking is some landies get some serouis abuse ie rock climbing in wales so yes things will break and need replacing etc I think it goes with off roading and every has to expect it so if you replace it expect to spend the same again repairing it etc

Mine will need a new front axle rusted around the hockey stick, rear axle needs to replaced oil leaking along the seem but i will replace them

Just my thoughts

Darren

[gords]

Well if your selling it will you replace it?

Yes, probably ... with what I don't know yet.

[rangerider]

If I hadnt just put the deposit down on a disco, and didnt already have 2 MOTless motors on the inlaws drive I'd have been interested in buying it without a test!

As it is it looks all pretty simple mechanical stuff, none of the dreaded tinplating :)  A lot of MOT testers will fail landy ABS, I ended up "training" a tester by showing him in the owners manual that the warning light does not go out until you get moving along.