Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: JamesV6CDX on 03 March 2008, 11:25:45

Title: Discovery TDi + Cambelt change question...
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 03 March 2008, 11:25:45

http://www.difflock.com/servicing/300tdi-timingbelt/index.shtml

Rekon I could do this belt kit change myself, maybe with a pair of hands to help me?

Considering replacing the meega with a 300 series TDi Discovery, but I'm not owning a vehicle unless I'm capable of a DIY cambelt change!

Also, anyone have any opinions / experience re. the 300 Disco they would like to share? Anything to look out for when buying? I am hoping to get an R reg one, something in that region.
Title: Re: Discovery TDi + Cambelt change question...
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 03 March 2008, 11:37:41
I wouldn't touch anything Land Rover/Range Rover related with barge pole....there right unreliable heaps of...
Title: Re: Discovery TDi + Cambelt change question...
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 03 March 2008, 11:39:24
Quote
I wouldn't touch anything Land Rover/Range Rover related with barge pole....there right unreliable heaps of...

My friends mum has had one for about ten years, with no more trouble than a duff alternator  :-/

I just fancy a change, and I love the Landies ;D
Title: Re: Discovery TDi + Cambelt change question...
Post by: tunnie on 03 March 2008, 11:50:47
Quote
Quote
I wouldn't touch anything Land Rover/Range Rover related with barge pole....there right unreliable heaps of...

My friends mum has had one for about ten years, with no more trouble than a duff alternator  :-/

I just fancy a change, and I love the Landies ;D


No experiance, and will be of no use technical wise, but if you need a extra pair of hands just give me a shout  :)

I know what you mean though.... i fancy a change, but can't quite afford a Supercharged XJ yet!  :(
Title: Re: Discovery TDi + Cambelt change question...
Post by: Kevin Wood on 03 March 2008, 11:50:55
Whilst I could have done with one yesterday when I was trying to tow a 1700 kg radio tower out of a muddy field I think I would have to be encountering such issues on a daily basis before I'd ever consider giving up the refinement and handling of an Omega.  :-/

They appear to have all the down sides of an "expensive to run" vehicle, just like the Omega has, but with none of the plus sides IMHO.

Anyway, can't see anything nasty about the cam belt change. If you can do a GM V6 you can probably tackle anything.

Kevin
Title: Re: Discovery TDi + Cambelt change question...
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 03 March 2008, 13:40:35
Very valid points, I just have a soft spot for the Disco  :-/
Title: Re: Discovery TDi + Cambelt change question...
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 03 March 2008, 13:45:09
Quote
Quote
I wouldn't touch anything Land Rover/Range Rover related with barge pole....there right unreliable heaps of...

My friends mum has had one for about ten years, with no more trouble than a duff alternator  :-/

I just fancy a change, and I love the Landies ;D

Has it been anywhere, shes a rareity!

For me the are horrible to drive (slow and bloody awful handling), thirsty and to poorly scrwed together.....now a real landrover, thats a different thing but, you wouldn't want to drive one any distance!


Title: Re: Discovery TDi + Cambelt change question...
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 03 March 2008, 13:47:24
My uncle had a 200 series Disco, now that handled like a pig..... it was like driving a boat!

But having driven that, and then the 300 series... it would appear that the 300 series handles much more like a "car"

I've been to Scotland in a Disco 300 - I admit cars are more comfy, but it wasn' too bad...
Title: Re: Discovery TDi + Cambelt change question...
Post by: TheBoy on 03 March 2008, 13:56:31
I know someone who works in Landrover's warranty dept ::)

Older Range Rovers (BL and BMW era) had electrical issues and transfer box weaknesses.  Newer ones better.

Original Disco were quite strong, but poor quality issues.

Defenders, well, good workhorses, solid, but harsh.  Chassis rusts a bit, but hardly surprising given the abuse most get.


The build quality (and design) are better if you can get one from the Ford era (after Ford gave the workforce and ultimatum).


BL era ones are, well, BL.
Later Austen Rover/BAe were better.
BMW era were plagued by, well, BMW.
Ford era huge strides forward.

Under Tata, who knows, but sounds like it could be promising.
Title: Re: Discovery TDi + Cambelt change question...
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 03 March 2008, 14:06:19
I notice you avoided mentioning the Freelander  ;D
Title: Re: Discovery TDi + Cambelt change question...
Post by: Arrolman on 03 March 2008, 16:54:29
Hi ,

What do you want to know about the Discovery? Im on my second one the now, good cars if well looked after, rust spots are the chassis, especially rear crossmember and the sills, inner wings and the rear boot floor, give all these areas a good look over. Sunroofs leak sometimes as well, I've got a 3.9V8i that im looking to sell the now, loads of power and will go anywhere.

Regarding the cambelt kit, easy enough job, again, get proper locking kit and there shouldn't be any problems. Oil levels need to be checked in everything, axles, transfer ox, gearbox etc when you get it, people don't maintain them like they require. Swivels are a good thing to check as well, should have one shot grease in them, not oil as used to be, should be changed on the later model that your looking at

Cheers,
Iain
Title: Re: Discovery TDi + Cambelt change question...
Post by: TheBoy on 03 March 2008, 18:41:34
Quote
I notice you avoided mentioning the Freelander  ;D
The freelander isn't bad for what it is - more capable off-road than its competition.  Just avoid the rather petrols - forgetting the reliability issue of HGs for a mo, the engine is not suited to off-roading due to lack of low down torque.  Not that many even see a blade of grass, so maybe the engine isn't that badly suited....  ....if the car was lighteer!

Diesel one ain't too bad, but engine is a little dated.

(I'm talking about the older freelander, not the newer, bigger one released a while back).


Not mentioned LRX yet either, because not seen one, though she's been in one and was impressed with it  :-[
Title: Re: Discovery TDi + Cambelt change question...
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 03 March 2008, 19:09:18
My brother is on his 3rd Disco......

Each one has managed to land him a BIG garage bill.......

Including failed turbo/autobox.

I think his first one a 3.5V8 was the worst, spent most of its time on the back of a low loader  :o

the other two he's had were/are TD's
Title: Re: Discovery TDi + Cambelt change question...
Post by: TheBoy on 03 March 2008, 19:10:55
Quote
My brother is on his 3rd Disco......

Each one has managed to land him a BIG garage bill.......

Including failed turbo/autobox.

I think his first one a 3.5V8 was the worst, spent most of its time on the back of a low loader  :o

the other two he's had were/are TD's
Not our favourite BMW unit per chance!
Title: Re: Discovery TDi + Cambelt change question...
Post by: Arrolman on 03 March 2008, 19:12:29
Hi,

You mean Tdis, no TD models were made for discoverys

Cheers,
Iain
Title: Re: Discovery TDi + Cambelt change question...
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 03 March 2008, 19:22:09
Quote
Quote
My brother is on his 3rd Disco......

Each one has managed to land him a BIG garage bill.......

Including failed turbo/autobox.

I think his first one a 3.5V8 was the worst, spent most of its time on the back of a low loader  :o

the other two he's had were/are TD's
Not our favourite BMW unit per chance!

More than likely as they are 2.5's 6cyl, tho never had the inclination to pop the bonnet on them to take a butchers  ;D

He does drive them quite hard......i always find it quite amusing when he pulls away.........lots of diesel grunt noise going on.......but not much movement  ;D Probably he's got used to flooring them on take off to get them to move  ;D ::)
Title: Re: Discovery TDi + Cambelt change question...
Post by: Martin_1962 on 03 March 2008, 21:04:52
Started with TDI300 direct injection 4 cylinder descended from the older Diesel one.

Later ones had a 5 cylinder Storm the TD5 I Think it is related to the 4 cylinder TD in the MOntego Maestro
Title: Re: Discovery TDi + Cambelt change question...
Post by: motmann on 03 March 2008, 23:22:56
older tdi cambelt not to bad to change, waterpump and front cover off plus fan and cowl, genuine parts a bit pricey just done one in the workshop. on the 4x4 note i have just got a cheap swb mitsubishi shogun 2.5td, what a great old truck, drives like a car and not bad on diesel either! :y
Title: Re: Discovery TDi + Cambelt change question...
Post by: Vamps on 03 March 2008, 23:51:16
Quote
Hi,

You mean Tdis, no TD models were made for discoverys

Cheers,
Iain

Do you know of a Diesel engine that is not injected then? :)
Title: Re: Discovery TDi + Cambelt change question...
Post by: Martin_1962 on 04 March 2008, 08:23:31
Quote
Quote
Hi,

You mean Tdis, no TD models were made for discoverys

Cheers,
Iain

Do you know of a Diesel engine that is not injected then? :)


The LR had an indirect injection lump, the TDI300 was a direct injection version
Title: Re: Discovery TDi + Cambelt change question...
Post by: Arrolman on 04 March 2008, 17:41:32
2.5 N/A unit and the 2.5TD unit used in the 90/110 don't have injection ;)
Title: Re: Discovery TDi + Cambelt change question...
Post by: Martin_1962 on 04 March 2008, 20:02:07
Quote
2.5 N/A unit and the 2.5TD unit used in the 90/110 don't have injection ;)


All Diesels are injection, the older indirect engine had swirl chambers which could fall out, the DIscovery had a direct injection turbo version

I have seen inside one - a cousin owns a 88 Diesel refitted with a  Montego engine, a TD300 Discovery and a 109 Christmas tree with Salisbury axles