What to look for

[Snooky]

Looks like I may be coming to this part of the forum and leaving the Defnder bit behind, so before I go looking at Disco's I need some valuable advise from you lot.
Need to know what to look for to spot a dud,    
I know the rear floor can be trouble, but what are the tell tail signs, easy to spot etc, and the way people may try to cover it up.
looking at the 300tdi, so what needs to be checked on the engine for signs of a bad un?
Shocks etc I should be OK with but will probably be putting a lift on for new MT tyres anyway, and maybe a cut about with the arches so not too fussed about that bit.
And body work would be nice if it started off corrosion free, but guess it will have a few battle scars soon enough  
Anything else that looks like it may cost me to do in the future?
Oh and rough guide to what I should be paying  
I know you lot will tell me what I need to know  :D

[DiscoCWK]

Looks like I may be coming to this part of the forum and leaving the Defnder bit behind, so before I go looking at Disco's I need some valuable advise from you lot.
Need to know what to look for to spot a dud,    
I know the rear floor can be trouble, but what are the tell tail signs, easy to spot etc, and the way people may try to cover it up.
looking at the 300tdi, so what needs to be checked on the engine for signs of a bad un?
Shocks etc I should be OK with but will probably be putting a lift on for new MT tyres anyway, and maybe a cut about with the arches so not too fussed about that bit.
And body work would be nice if it started off corrosion free, but guess it will have a few battle scars soon enough  
Anything else that looks like it may cost me to do in the future?
Oh and rough guide to what I should be paying  
I know you lot will tell me what I need to know  :D

Right where to start!

Engine - Prone to headgasket failure around 100K this can be as show itself as obscure as water ejecting itself from the expansion tank under load (once warm)

Drivetrain - Early 300Tdi's were prone to wear between the R380 gearbox output and the LT230 input flange - there will be a lot of driveline shunt if this is the case. Gear selectors wear (fifth to fourth difficulties are common)

Front inner wins rot a treat around the battery tray areas

Sills can rot

Boot floor and rear arches can rot too

Roof gutters can rot and around the alpine lights

Door lock springs break for a pass-time

After a 100k miles the shocks and most bushes are shot

The dashboard can 'lift'

The EGR will have filled the intercooler with crap (ditch it)

Wheel bearings & swivels will need a check

Rear door hinges may be worn causing the door to drop

I think that's about it  :twisted:

[J.D.]

Sun roofs will leak unless the seals have been replaced and the rear door sill may also be starting to rot as well.

[cardiff_gareth]

Sun roofs will leak unless the seals have been replaced and the rear door sill may also be starting to rot as well.

But where can you buy just the rubber seals from as mine are rock hard and vaseline isn't softening them up !!

[daveyravey]

Rimmer bros have them... at a price.
I found 1 at the Landy dealer in Nelson when i lived down there for £9 inc vat. Try your local dealer, they might have one.

[landroverkeith]

:lol:  yup leaking sunroofs i found out about them too late and the hard way got a cold shower on way to work at 5:30 one morning grrr lol

local stealer quoted me £400 each to do the sunroofs..... :shock:  so now i drive with a hat in the rain...

[daveyravey]

The glass seal isn't a difficult job to do, but it's a headlining out job to do the frame seal i think

[cardiff_gareth]

The glass seal isn't a difficult job to do, but it's a headlining out job to do the frame seal i think

Done this, took about half a day to get it out, siliconed all around the frame of the sunroofs and put back together. Undid the torque screws, gave a good squirt under and then re-tightened. Headlining back in then.

I think the rear sunroof is still leaking as on top of the tailgate where the headlining sits it is dripping :?:

Sound to you like a suspect rubber seal :?:

[Snooky]

I don't care too much about a leaking roof, I have a defender and am used to it  :lol:

So apart from leaking sunroofs, can the rest if treated well with waxoil be prevented, I know that any that I am likely to buy will probably only ever seen dirt at a car boot sale, so was hoping to clean and waxoil soon after purchase  

[daveyravey]

The glass seal isn't a difficult job to do, but it's a headlining out job to do the frame seal i think

Done this, took about half a day to get it out, siliconed all around the frame of the sunroofs and put back together. Undid the torque screws, gave a good squirt under and then re-tightened. Headlining back in then.

I think the rear sunroof is still leaking as on top of the tailgate where the headlining sits it is dripping :?:

Sound to you like a suspect rubber seal :?:

Either that or the alpine windows.
Does the water run forward & soak the front edge of the headlining ?

[cardiff_gareth]

Either that or the alpine windows.
Does the water run forward & soak the front edge of the headlining ?

I used to get water on the headlining above the windscreen top left but since doing the above it has stopped and now all dry.

Now I have no soaked headlining at the front but this dripping water now in the rear.

I thought it might of been the alpine lights but was unsure if the water could travel that far up the headlining to above the tailgate :?: then again I'm open to all possibilities