Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi Guys,

Opinions good bad and ugly on this Rover please. It's a 3.8l V8 Petrol engine Disco with 188,000k on the clock.

What kind of repairs can be expected in the engine? How suitable are these cars for towing (around 2 tonne - horses). Have tried finding reviews on the net but there aren't many around.

My hilux has finally spat the dummy and I need a new tow car. I will be considering this or (gasp) non-4x4 utes.

Cheers
Mel

Hi Mel, I bought a 93 mod same vehicle not four months ago. It's had some minor dramas but nothing life threatening. Worst was the need for a new bearing in the gearbox and clutch kit.
Good news is the injection system is quite simple, bad news is fuel efficiency is a bit down on later models. You also want to make sure you are getting the 3.9ltr not the 3.5ltr engine. Check for oil leaks, they are a bandit for leaking engine oil from the rocker covers (top of engine) and the rear main oil seal (between the gearbox and engine). The first is an easy fix, the second involves gearbox removal.......
Also if the cooling system has ever caused the engine to overheat they don't take it well at all. Suggest that when you purchase that the first thing you do would be to have the radiator cleaned out, check all the hoses, replace the thermostat with a genuine new one and put new genuine coolant and corrosion inhibitor in it
Other than that, if your car has been looked after it should be a good thing, of course if it has been flogged to death you may be buying a turd.
Suggest a mechanics inspection?

Thanks for all the info

It is definitely the 3.9l. Do you do any towing with yours?

If I do like it, I will definitely be getting a mechanic's report - really don't need any more dramas with cars! Had enough in the last 4 years.

What fuel economy do you get from yours? I am used to about 12kms per litre from my old diesel (when she was in a good mood) but don't think I'm going to get that out of any of my choices.

Cheers
Mel

I get 20 to 22 l/100 (12 to 14 mpg) around town from an 1998 3.9l auto..


Bazzle

I don't tow with mine, perhaps someone else can offer an opinion on that?

Best I get at the moment is 15-16MPG around town. Think it's time to take her in for a tune.......either that or a new timing chain.....

If you want mileage get a TDI. They pull fine and can be tuned up to match the V8 in torque for free..... Plus 10l/100km.

Anyway, check out the gearbox. They can be abused if not treated nicey. Pull the PTO cover and check backlash between the gearbox output shaft and the t. case input shaft. They are known to be a wear problem.

Other than that nothing really diffeent than any other 4x4 to get checked out.

If you do get the V8, plan on putting in a new cam and timing chain. The stock chain stretches and power follows. An mild aftermarket cam and roller chain usually does wonders for power. Chipping usually improved fuel economy also.

This was mine, a 1991 V8

Like red90 said, get a diesel.

The 1st thing that wears in the v8 is timing chain, which causes the valve timing to be retarded. Then wear of the cam lobes and lifter faces. The good news is not much else suffers. My first rangie had over 250,000 miles (not km) when I got rid of it, with no major problems.

Whats all this free performance upgrade on tdi talk about?

Thanks Jason

Sit down , have a coffee and read this thread

That is the free part. You should, however, install a boost gauge and an EGT gauge before making any adjustments.

Thanks John, I was looking for that.

As I said in the other thread, the supra intercooler isn't really necessary, you can get good results without it.

LMD wrote:Thanks for all the info

It is definitely the 3.9l. Do you do any towing with yours?

If I do like it, I will definitely be getting a mechanic's report - really don't need any more dramas with cars! Had enough in the last 4 years.

What fuel economy do you get from yours? I am used to about 12kms per litre from my old diesel (when she was in a good mood) but don't think I'm going to get that out of any of my choices.

Cheers
Mel

If its a 92 model and the motor has never been swapped then its defianatly only a 3.5ltr. They look identical so its easy to mistake them.

I just fitted a rebuilt 93 disco 3.5l to my 86 rangie. Also added a mild cam at the same time. It has defianatly got more power than stock but i have found it to be real flat in mid range power. As long as its reving its fine.

Muel consumption so far has been around 16ltrs per 100 on the highway. I have only done around 1500klmsince rebuild. I havent towed with it since i fitted this engine but with the old engine 3.5efi my fuel consumption would double towing a car trailer with a hilux that weighs aprox 1500kg. The rangie is also Auto.

I had the TDI upgrade on my disco i didnt do it myself but i got a diesel guy to do exactly that. i still left the stock intercooler.

i was running larger tyres 245/75/16 so they are quite larger from stock

before tune
34kw @ wheels

after tune
55 kw @ wheels

i could have alos got some more power if i modded the boost but never got around to do it

i know their is greater increase in kw but i found it to have more torque as well i.e. driving in summer with air con full pelt and still pulling up hills in 5th gear...

also to note fuel economy i was getting over 600k to tank and i drove mine hard and that was city driving also.