Newbie with lots of maintenance questions!

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Fairyglass

New Member
Posts
11
Location
Corsham, Wiltshire
I'm just getting used to my new Disco (bought yesterday) and very pleased I am too- however I've much to learn so hope some of you more knowledgeable people can spare a few minutes to help. I've bought a 1996 200tdi which seems sound, but I've no history at all and so I need to know what to expect!
Firstly, engine/transmission: it's just had a head gasket, so that's out of the way. Are there belts which need changing and if so when? What are the other likely failure points to check? Can I access top-up points for transfer box etc from inside?
There's a loud whining when accelerating which sounds like it's coming from the gearbox. It's an old wagon so I expect some noise, but should I do anything about this? Everything works fine, no play or crunching.
I have a VW van which is a 2.5tdi, and the Disco feels very sluggish compared to this. Obviously it's not comparable, but the turbo take-up is much less- I see there's an EGR plate which can be blanked, and I assume there's a MAF sensor somewhere- should I be looking at replacing this? Any other tweaks to note?
Lastly, I guess there's some kind of ECU involved- is there a diagnostics program I can obtain/plug in to see any faults? Is there anyone near Chippenham (Wiltshire) who might have this if so?
Sorry for all the questions, and thanks in advance for any information. Can't wait to get started on cleaning it up and making it run better!
 
All seems very friendly and similar to the VW T4 forum I'm a member of. I've had Landies before, so it's good to be back. I was planning to keep this just for the winter but I think I've got the bug.......
 
All seems very friendly and similar to the VW T4 forum I'm a member of. I've had Landies before, so it's good to be back. I was planning to keep this just for the winter but I think I've got the bug.......
got a t5 at the mo..but loved the t4s blue I model only of course

van2-1.png
 
May be i am being thick (cue abuse ) but are you sure its a 200 tdi. Wasnt aware they had EGR maf ECU etc never come accross one that had 300 's do ?
 
got a t5 at the mo..but loved the t4s blue I model only of course

Looks like mine, but cleaner, mine's a 102 with mods.

Noiseboymart: probably me being thick, not had a good look under the bonnet yet... saw on this forum some discussions on MAFs etc so jumped to conclusions. I'm sure it's a 200tdi- do I have any options to play around with the engine? For example tweaks to fuel pump, blanking anything? It feels really sluggish when starting from standing and hills I'm hitting in 4th in my van I'm in 2nd. I know it's heavy, and old, and not built for speed, but just wondering what's possible.:)
 
No ecu on those old trucks.

Look to blank off egr. Get a decat down pipe. Will help with pickup a bit.

If the whine is louder at higher speeds and constant check bearings on the input shaft for the gearbox. Mine was doing this and new bearings sorted it. It is a gearbox off job though!
 
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