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Monday, June 6, 2011

Amigos have left the building....









Well just over a week ago I attempted to do the "option B" fix on my 3 amigos lights (HDC, ABS and TC staying on for no apparant reason). I got hold of the instructions for the ABS module fix from the Virgin Islands LandRover Club.
It's a rather long explaination, but well worth the read and very well documented with photos and descriptions.
Doing the "option B" fix is very straight forward and relatively simple.....unless you get the same problem as me and the bolts under the unit have already been "played" with and the heads stripped!
So, with a hand from good friend and fellow WA-AULROian (Jurgens, aka BST4X4XFA), we stripped out the ABS unit and did the job properly, replacing the alloy bolts for some new stainless steel replacements.
All wiring done, we needed to bleed the brakes. Not a huge job, but we simply ran out of time and left it half way through. Bugger!

During the week we had a call from another forumite, Andrew (aka LoveMyRangie), who bought along his Nanocom unit and we did a complete brake fluid flush using the "power bleed" function of the Nanocom. Those units are awesome if you have a TD5, and very useful for a V8, even though no where as comprehensive for the latter.

An alternative to using the Nanocom to power bleed was written up for me on the AULRO site, of which I shall copy here for future reference:

The old fashioned manual (two operators, one with the foot and one at the bleed nipple on each caliper) bleed works good enough to get you going again.
Note: this is best performed with some beverage tubing that is long enough to go into a glass jar. Keep the end of the tube covered by brake fluid in the jar so that you don't introduce air into the system when you lift up on the brake pedal. By using this method you don't need to close the nipple on the up stroke. Makes for faster bleeding.

The "power" bleed is when you removed the ABS relay and insert a jumper wire across the "contacts" to cause the ABS pump to run. Do this after you have completed the manual bleed.

The relay (R10) is located in the engine bay fuse box, drivers side. The R10 relay is the big black one closest to the windscreen. You remove the relay and you will see four holes where the relay was plugged in. Two will be for the relay coil and the other two, the ones you want, will be for the relay contacts.


To perform the power bleed the "foot" operator shorts out the two sockets (with any wire that will fit the hole) where the contacts are. This causes the ABS pump motor to run. The other operator opens the bleed nipple on each brake in turn as per the manual bleed procedure.

So the procedure is you would open a bleed nipple then short out the ABS pump contact. Let it run for about 60 seconds. Close the nipple and stop the pump. Repeat for the other three wheels.

You can also make up a 6m length of twin core wire, put a male spade lug on the ends at one end, and a toggle switch at the other end. Then you can switch the ABS pump on/off from under the vehicle at each wheel as you operate the bleed nipple.
The above is a combination of posts put together to give a more detailed explanation and procedure.

So far, the dash lights have not appeared, so (hopefully) my problem is now cured. I'll keep monitorinig though and let you know if/when they come again (not my pic below!).





This site also now contains "live" info on my fuel consumption. See info on the right of this page, it's gives approx ltrs/100km based on fuelling information entered at the Fuelly site, and on the fly using their "dedicated for smartfone page".

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

And she's back!

Well, this was the work done "this time"! Add to it all the previous work done and I've pretty well got a fully rebuilt V8 D2 excepting the bodywork!!

I have thought of getting rid of her due to the cost of running the V8, but there's so much work been done on it now, there's no finance on it, and I'd probably end up buying something else that needs as much work doing on it again. At least someone would have a bloody good V8 Disco though, so it might as well be me!
-------------------------
Check on suspect head gasket fault.
TK check on coolant system - found to have failed.
Full engine strip down.
Recommend cylinder heads removed to inspect.
Found RH cylinder head gasket had failed.
Send heads for pressure test and resurface - returned all OK.

Refit parts as listed:
new cylinder head gasket set
new cylinder head bolts
full engine gasket set
new 2x engine mounts
new thermostat
all new hoses and bypass hoses
replace all hose clips with hose clamps
new water pump
new 8x platinum plugs
new ignition lead set
(all genuine Land Rover parts)

Full service and safety check
Found badly fitted coil packs - refit
Full fluid levels check/replace as necessary (no top-ups)
Lubricate all prop shafts

Let's see how long it lasts this time...!!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Nearly there....

Not as bad as first thought.
It appears one of the head gaskets had a "kink" in it and allowed water to seep through underneath it and into one of the rear chambers. Looks like we caught it in time for it to not have caused any damage to the engine.
Still required the engine taking apart though and getting heads pressure checked. Good job though really, because the quality of the last engine rebuid was nothing short of @#$%! Put it this way, the garage must have had shares in a well know automotive sealant company!! There was a lot of "tidying up" to do and removal of excessive gasket sealer in areas where it shouldn't have been used. Feckin' cowboys!

My mech has now done a full cooling system overhaul, and a full gasket replacement job.
Heads are shiny silver again(!), and he's replaced all the coolant hoses that he could find, some whether they needed doing or not. So at least I have some spares now!
He's also replaced all the stupid LandRover hose clips with "proper" screw type hose clamps, just for security and ease of maintenance/repair later down the line.

Hoping he has enough time now to do the ABS 3 amigos fix (well known "Option B" fix), and to fit the EngineSaver low coolant alarm kit. Yes, I know it's a bit late, but better safe than sorry....again!

Hopefully back in the next few days.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Fucked again!

Well the Disco's blown its engine again. Bugger!
Looking at another rebuild just 50,000kms since the last one. So by all accounts it's looking like the original job done was a bit of a bodge. But I'll reserve comment until we get the motor apart and see what the damage is.
I'm keen to know if the parts that were originally replaced or repaired actually were, or if it was just a quick repair job and I had the wool pulled over my eyes. I've had my doubts on that build all along....

We're looking at another estimated $4000 worth of work, but that will depend on extent of damage.

Will let you know how it goes, but right now I'm pretty well getting over owning a V8 LandRover.....well, at least this one!
Just wish I could afford a TD5 (sob)!!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Current spec...

Following a recent thread on the D2 section of the AULRO site requesting info on other peoples rides, I decided to also post my list of things here too. Here goes:

2000 4.0 V8 Auto - in a dark red colour(!)
with 3 amigos and maybe a few other stray Mexicans too.

Bought with 140,400kms (June 2008), with TJM front bar, el-cheapo sidesteps (removed!), and 245/70r16's.
To initial date of this post just rolled over 180,000kms
Not sure how many owners, but the last one certainly didn't do a good job of looking after it!

Currently:
Lovells heavy duty +2" springs
Hankook RT-03's  -  235/85r16's
TJM winch bar and steering guard
In cab CDL (home made)
Rear work light (home made)
RedArc dual battery setup, but only single battery
Roof rack and half cage
SuperCheap 150W spots
Steel rear bar (home made)
Uniden UH400SX-RM with 3dB and 6dB aerials (with remote handset)
Jensen in-dash DVD player with reverse camera
Magnaflow CATS and removed rear box
Lots of AULRO stickers!!
Factory tow frame with rear recovery insert and shackle
Front shackles
Private plates (AULRO forum user name "AUSSIEAUB")
ARB on board compressor
"Melvill & Moon" canvas seat covers
Winch - 9500lbs
Rear cargo draws (removable)

Wish list (non-definitive!):
Shocks to match springs
More petrol (not long range tanks, just more petrol!)
Cargo barrier (or at least strapping restraint)
Rock/tree sliders
Fix rear main seal leak(?)
Shoot and kill 3 amigos!
....and even more petrol!


edit 29/10/10: Winch and rear draws off wish list, and now on Disco!