New Discovery owner advice

[warrenb]

Hello folks,
I have recently purchased a 2000 Discovery SE7 and really love it. We have lived in Florida all our lives but are moving to Michigan next month and wanted something that would be good in the snow and ice. I have been reading through the forums for the last three days and have gotten a huge amount of information. Thanks so much for your tips!

I have 4 questions related to my experience driving the car now for about 500 miles. The Discovery has 106,000 miles:

1) I pulled the codes and found the following:
p1668, p0134 (Nathan helped me find the correct o2 sensor for this code, so that should be taken care of), P1300, 0306, 0300, 0305, 0307, 0301, 0301, (I am hoping that a set of plugs and wires addresses these issues, since the rover drives without jerking or sputtering.)
Any other suggestions for those codes that I could be missing?

2) When I am in drive and stop at a light, I hear a noise that is almost like a low grinding. If I put it in neutral it goes away. I also hear a similar noise at low speeds. Is this a symptom of the u-joint issue that I have read about in other posts?

3) The brakes are very soft. Is this a Discovery trait or should I have the master cylinder looked at? (I seem to have to push the pedal down further than seems normal- but this is my first time ever driving a Land Rover, so my basis for comparison is nonexistent.)

4) While I am in normal driving mode without the 4WD activated with the small shifter, should that shifter be in N or does it matter if it is in gear?

5) Does anyone have a good experience in Jacksonville, Florida with any repair shops? When I was shopping around one of the dealers, he told me about a place called British Motors and I wondered if anyone has used them before. For that matter, anyone know of a good repair shop in Kalamazoo, MI or Grand Rapids?

Thanks so much for your thoughts, I got a nice deal on the car and I want to make sure it is good shape to last a while when I get to MI.
Warren

[Disco Mike]

First, do you have an owners manual, if so you should read it cover to cover.

As for your first question, order a set of 8mm Magnecor plug wirs and a good set of plugs, this should correct the misfire codes. At your mileage, you must replace all 4 02 sensors to keep everything balanced out.

I would get under the hood and start listening for the grinding sound, also inspect and replace the belt if necessary as well as any of the pulleys .

Yes Rover brakes are a little soft but most can be corrected by replacing the rubber brake lines with stainless steel and doing a full brake flush, apx. 3 pints of DOT 4.

You always drive with the t/case in high, if shifted to "N", you will stop moving. This is one reason I am suggesting you need to get and read the owners manual.

How mechanical are you? There are going to be a number of things that will need to be done and if you can do some, it will save you a fortune.

Good luck,
Mike

[warrenb]

Originally Posted by Disco Mike

How mechanical are you? There are going to be a number of things that will need to be done and if you can do some, it will save you a fortune.

Mike, Thanks for the reply. The manual was not included with the vehicle, but I found one last night in electronic form on a torrent and started downloading it. I should have it when I get home and I will certainly start reading it.

I have worked on my Hondas for about 8 years and can do basic repairs. I have replaced a radiator and alternator, changed spark plugs, brake pads, thermostat, valve cover gasket- all the little stuff, but have never done huge jobs. However, I am willing to learn and try, although I don't have a huge tool collection.

I am having all the fluids replaced today, as well as the serpentine belt just to be on the safe side, even though it doesn't look too bad. I'll get back tomorrow after I've changed the plugs and wires and update on the codes.
Thanks,
Warren

[Disco Mike]

Who's plug wires are you planning on using? Does your truck have secondary air? Plug wires are hard to install but can be done if you are patient.When you have the belt replaced, consider replacing the tensioner and both idler pulleys, they are known to fail.
Mike

[warrenb]

The truck does have secondary air and I can see it will be a tight fit, but I have small arms and hands and can probably do it by going slow and easy.

I ordered some plugs yesterday from a local auto parts store, but they did not have Magnecor, should I just return them and try to find them online? I'm new to the community here, so I don't know if the Magnecor are just a preference or if it really is a disaster to put anything else on.

However, I'll follow the advice if it is crucial to use those wires. Also I see a plug dispute between members, I ended up getting Bosh plugs, do they provide subpar spark for the Rovers?

[Disco Mike]

Call Tony at Cerrone's, 650-365-4145. He has them in stock and has a good price. I would return the other wires cause as hard as they are to install, you don't want to do it again.
Mike