[Muddy Oval]

At 29K miles, out of the blue comes a flashing 'service engine' lamp on my 04. Luckily, I have an autologic and it identified Cyl 6 Catalyst Damaging Misfire. I ran some diags on it and sure enough... Bad plug wire. Plug wires are a PITA to change on a DII too. Anyway, I slap a new plug and wire on it after calling the nearest dealer 3 hours away and them offering to SELL me a wire even though the truck is under warranty.
Anyway- the dealer said he's seen that problem a LOT recently. Of course, sometimes they just lie for no apparent reason- but something to watch for anyway. It was more worth it to fix it myself than to have LR carry it off on a flatbed to a dealer 3 hours away. I'll take it in for the 30K service later on.

 

[Disco Mike]

I don't believe that is a quote" common problem", you are the first person I have heard mention it over the 3 Rover boards I read.
Do your self a favor and at the 30, change out all the wires going to an 8mm wire like a set of Magnacors. You will be much happier, they will last longer and give you a better spark.
Enjoy the truck,
Mike J.

 

[frickjp]

I don't believe that is a quote" common problem.

I'll second that. We do see an occasional plug wire, but not with consistency. Don't replace them 'till warranty is up, or all the worlds problems will be blamed on your wires.

 

[ish]

I had the exact thing happen on my 2003 disco with about 6,500miles, Truck broke down in Fort Washington PA. Taken to Land Rover Willow Grove - Number 8 spark plug and wire replaced, car was repaired and flatbedded back to my home.
Land Rover paid for my taxi to the airport in Phillie and the rental expense for an Expedition till my truck was returned to me.

 

[Rovin4life]

its quite possible the shop had a rash of spark plug problems in various discos and was referring to it as a common thing. Its quite possible he was telling the truth. From his perspective it looked common. I honestly doubt he was lying.

If you look at a low mileage discos and problems with misfires the most common problem has to do with plugs and wires. Not injectors or stuck valves or anything else.

And as far as selling you a wire, its difficult to diagnose anything over the phone. Without seeing all the info from freeze frame data or other codes it will always be a crapshoot. Lean misfires can easily be caused by an air leak as well as a spark plug. I had a freelander the other day with a misfire but no problems with spark. IT was caused by a bad PCV line. So unless the vehicle is in front of a technician it can never be certain.

 

[Muddy Oval]

I was kinda testing the dealer- I told him that the wire boot was brittle and heat damaged (which it was) and they kinda failed the test. I mentioned that I would schedule a follow-up immediately since it's due for the 30K anyway... in the old days, the dealer would have helped. I suppose things have changed. He even told me that since I had two 04's due for service, I should call the dealer in DC where I bought them since I'm "such a good customer." It almost sounded patronizing... I dunno. I hoped for better, but it is what it is... :confused

 

[Mtclimbervt]

what dealership?

hey steve just wondering was it "the automaster" that was rude to you? it wouldn't suprise me if it was...same people who charge labor for changing a battery in a key set ($15)...after i had just finished paying close to $500 for 30k service....real nice folks huh?

 

[Hank]

hey steve just wondering was it "the automaster" that was rude to you? it wouldn't suprise me if it was...same people who charge labor for changing a battery in a key set ($15)...after i had just finished paying close to $500 for 30k service....real nice folks huh?

Kinda reminds me of a story....My ****-head step-father had to call an electrician to troubleshoot a problem on a piece of equipment. The guy shows up, looks around, and presses a reset button. Was there 5-minutes. About a week later, my step-father gets a bill in the mail, 105.00.

My ****-head step-father throws a fit, and calls the guy. He explains he was there for 5-minutes, and they 105.00 was too much money. The electrician agrees and said "throw that bill away, I'll send you another".

About a week later, he gets the new bill. It read: 5.00 for resetting the control box; 100.00 for knowing what button to push. LOL!!!

 

[Muddy Oval]

Nah- it was Albany. I met the parts manager from Albany once and he showed me around their new test track etc. Great guy and nice as can be. Never talked to the service people, but now I'm not sure where to take both of my 04's which are both due for their 30K. I've not heard much positive about any of the dealers in this part of the country. Whichever one i choose, it's 3 hours drive.