Land Rover Discovery 2 (2002 – 2004) Review

• February 2002

Frequent alternator failures due to ECUs giving an AC ripple on the 12 volts output. Ask for a full computer diagnostic as this should show up the problem. Check for oil in coolant or loss of coolant. By 2007 cracked cylinder heads were becoming a very common problem on TD5s. So much so that the supoply of replacement heads became used up.

Vent plenum chamber drains have conical bungs designed to prevent ingress of water from below, but these very often get clocked by debris so bets to remove them if the car is mostly used on road. If not, water leaks onto fusebox, knocking out electrics.

Excellent source of reconditioned transmissions, drivetrain parts and engines and also manual to automatic conversions www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk

Rear wiper motor failure common. Excellent source of used LandRover parts generally is www.equicar.co.uk

ACE actuator mounting chassis mounting brackets prone to failure and some ownwers have been told the car needs a new chassis as a result. Electronically controlled rear air suspension control wiring from the front of the vehicle can corrode causing failure when it gets wet. The repair costs about £1,000.

Rear brake piping also vulnerable to corrosion.

A spring in the lock of the rear door can fail and the door can fly open without warning.

SOLID FLYWHEELS to replace DMFs from www.rakeway.co.uk

Spate of headlight thefts reported. Apparently they are easily removed withyout gaining entry to the vehlcle.

Alert over chafing of fuel pipe. "Two of our LandRover TD5 Discos II have strangely just had the same problem in the high pressure fuel lines wearing away on the tank sub frame and spraying diesel onto the hot exhaust pipe. (big fire risk and next to the plastic tank full of diesel). The chafing issue on the plastic (neoprene) pipe is because it is routed/crimped under the rear sub-frame between the plastic tank and wears on the metal body edges. Thus it is unlikely to be apparent below 5 yrs old or hard off road work. This is a fundamental design issue and nothing to do with wear and tear or material failure etc so a medium time dependent issue with LR. It must have been recognised in the early 2000’s by LR as they now split the particular pipe from the bundle of pipes previously sold. And they include an extra sheet or protective sheet."

Stick to OEM (Girling) brake and clutch parts. 'Pattern' versions of these parts are often poor quality and frequently fail.

"TD5 Engine Oil Pump Bolt" problem. The bolt holds the sprocket on for the oil pump in the sump. There are reports of a number of these bolts working loose and falling out causing terminal damage to the engine. There is no Land Rover recall for this issue, but they sell the bolt (part number LYP101400) with threadlocker applied. There is much forum discussion on the subject, but no definitive information on when Land Rover realised there was a problem and ensured these bolts were installed with threadlocker. The TD 5 was introduced in 1998. The following link explains the problem and fix in detail: http://www.discovery2.co.uk/Oil_pump_bolt.html

The rear of the chassis is a water trap and is not adequately rust-proofed inside so rots from the inside out. Vital to check this area before buying. The metal can be replaced by it's a big job involving the removal of many components including the fuel tank. Obviously, towing weakens this area further.

Tips about TD5s from DCS: 1. Always have a spare cylinder head wiring harness and replace as soon as there is a misfire; BEFORE oil travels through the cable to the ECU. 2. Over 100k miles, fit a prominent repeater oil pressure warning light, before the bolt that is supposed to retain the chain sprocket on the front of the oil pump shaft comes loose and drills its way out through the sump. 3. Pre- 2001 the ECU relay (yellow) under the driver’s seat was not secured. Vibration will wear out the connectors. Check and if necessary, tighten the Lucar connectors. Otherwise the engine could switch off randomly anywhere and at any time of day or night.

Report of LandRover Discovery 2 now at 125,000 miles requiring 3 replacement ECUs in 4 years. First time due to oil contanination. That one failed after 2 years 3 months. Next replacement failed in February 2017.

Report of significant rusting to driver's side chassis member of Discovery 2 TD5, apparently quite common. Some specialists claim to be able to fic it by partch welding, but a proper job costs about £2,500.