QuestionDear Mr. McInnis,
I hope to buy a 1994 Disco, but I do not want to end up with a head ache. The disco accelerates very slowly, has a ruff idle, and the yellow check engine light is on. It has a 3.8 V-8 only 76K miles. There are many new parts including distributer cap, plugs and plug wires. Problem seems more than a tune-up? It rides nicley down the freeway and kicks down fine when passing. The muffler is bad and the whole exhaust system is loose. I also noticed the catalitic converter was glowing red (very hot). No Land Rover dealers near me, or emission standards. Can I just toss the factory exhaust including the converter and get a new generic muffler to solve the disco's problem?
AnswerHello Josh,
I have a '95 Disco so I understand what can go wrong and how much it will cost.
Rough idle can mean many things: timing chain is worn, TPS sensor needs replacement, valve job needed. Slow acceleration indicates poor ignition which could mean injector problems. The new 'tune up' parts apparently did not solve the problems so large problems must exist.
The ride should be nice. Most Disco's have good strong suspensions and the '94 you talk about has only 74K miles. I have 168K miles and the Disco still rides nice...and I need shocks!
A new muffler (buy the 3 section type) can run up to $1000
for a third party version. The orginal is twice that price!
The catalytic converters are on the "Y" pipe and that pipe alone is at least $500; then there's the resonator and the muffler. A glowing cat indicates a blockage...that engine must be suffering. I'd be careful about generic 'made to measure' mufflers. Bosel (bosal?) has a good muffler and is found anywhere mufflers are sold.
A new 3.9 litre engine is about $5000. I'm sure you can find a rebuilt for about $2500.
From your description, I'd say you would have to be prepared to spend some serious money on this Disco. If you are getting it 'dirt cheap' and you think you can perform the work yourself, go ahead an buy it. When its running, the Disco is an excellent off-road 4x4. A real work horse that is very comfortable to ride.
IF you don't have a LandRover dealer nearby, you'll face some big problems. Most mechanics won't touch the LandRover 'specific' problems. Transmissions, CV's, axles, valves jobs, electronics (the worst!) all have to be done at LR shops. The rest can usually be farmed out to general mechanics. Balljoints, tierods, timing, tires, alternators (big problem) are usually safe with the local mechanics.
LandRover service is very expensive. Parts are very costly and you really have to have deep pockets to own one. Belive me, I have spent huge amounts of money on my Disco and I always have headaches and stomach cramps when I have to tow the Disco to the dealer. I don't think its worth it anymore. Buy the Disco with a warranty and sell it when the warranty expires. If only this was true every time!
I wish you luck with this Disco...
JohnMc
