Most Common Discovery 1 faults

[joe019]

Hi,

I am on the lookout for a commercial disco 1 (1996 - 1998) , and i am lookong also for their most common faults. What are the most common issues these models suffer from?

Are there any useful indications I should look for when checking out different vehicles which are for sale?

Regards
Joseph

[Cocky Lil Guy]

Everything...most importantly rot!

[Disco69]

How long have you got? :p

Here's a list of some of the character traits that mine had:

Corrosion - mostly on bodywork but check chassis and rear floor too,
Oil leaks - everywhere!,
radiator leaking + fins falling off,
head gasket,
Diesel injectors,
timing belt - problem with tensioner i think most were recalled,
prop shaft vibrations,
gearbox noises + difficulty selecting gears,
Immobiliser/alarm faults,
seat frame snapping at bottom of back,
radio led's kept dying,
Windscreen seal leaking,
electric window switches,
ignition switch,
brakes pulling to the side,

To mention a few :rolleyes: .

Having mentioned all these issues, I would definately have another one as they're a very good vehicle. I used mine mostly for towing a 3.5 tonne trailer (which it did very well) and I put approx 200k miles of hard work on the clock.
The biggest fault I found with them is that there's nothing to tie things down to in the back.

There are definately some bargain disco vans to be had at the moment - I've seen several very nice looking ones for around £2K.

[Jon v8]

How dare do imply that a Discovery may have faults ! What are you thinking ? Disco's may have a few minor irritations,but no major things that leave you stranded.(unless proper maintenance is ignored)
Find a tidy one and enjoy it.

[Cannonball Bob]

If it's a Commercial have a very good look at the roof for any sign of holes having been filled in where light bars have been fitted in a previous life with the AA/RAC/Green Flag etc, especially if it's yellow/orange/silver accordingly.

[Huey]

Having just purchased my 300Tdi, the main is sills, chassis, rear cross member mine has bubbling paint round the lights and a bit on the arches but the sills are like new and the chassis/ crossmember are clean. The mechinicals sort very easily on them. I gave mine a full service including a new sump (it leaked) the core from the radiator has rotted away but same again its 8 years old £100 put in a new one and she'll see me through.

I'm really pleased with it very drivable,

Hugh

[HarryD]

I threw money at mine like bread to pidgeons, but would buy another if I was allowed. Now have a Td5 which is very nice, but I miss my auto "M" reg 300tdi.

[Disco69]

[How dare do imply that a Discovery may have faults ! What are you thinking ? Disco's may have a few minor irritations,but no major things that leave you stranded.(unless proper maintenance is ignored)
Find a tidy one and enjoy it.]

I must agree with jonv8, out of all the vehicles I've used (quite a few of varied sizes and shapes) I can honestly say that my old disco 300tdi was the best, most reliable and probably the most capable vehicle I've ever owned. Mine even got me home(20 miles!) on three cylinders when the rocker shaft snapped!

I expect you already know this, but even if you do encounter any breakages/repairs, you'll find that parts are supprisingly cheap from places like paddock landrovers.

[discodrew]

The biggest fault I found with them is that there's nothing to tie things down to in the back


I have a 200 passenger and under the carpet/sound insulation there are 4 pre-drilled/tapped holes in the floorpan.
Run a tap thru them and you should be able to get some tiedown loops from somewhere (got mine from the back of an old citroen BX estate)


andy