The Mad Hat Man

Well-Known Member
LZIR Despatch Agent
thinking of getting a '97 3.9 V8 D2 on LPG.

Need some advice on dodgy points (apart from rust, rear chassis and air suspension)
 
Best of luck as D2s didn't appear in the showrooms till 1998 when the 1999MY was launched.

For both D1and 2 V8s the running gear, electrics are similar to the diesel model so what u have read on already on them applies with the petrol engine disco.

The D2 V8 has full electronic engine management so some updating there on the D1s engine, although some V8s have had issues by running on LPG according tho the Forums while some have not, u takes your choice. :)
 
Last edited:
Ah - so it might be a late D1. my bad.
i know LPG is ok when set up propper and running ok - yes I have heard the horror stories too :(.

is the 3.9 the lump prone to dropped liners etc?
 
Not likely at all, but I understand that it can be a consequence of allowing the engine to overheat, much as some other engines will seize also a serious problem if allowed happen.

As with any vehicle a fully functioning cooling is essential, if not there's trouble of some sort awaiting.:(
 
3.9 prone to poor quality ign components being fitted and causing a miss or cold damp starting issues. Gotta use genuine and magnecor stuff really. The hotwire injection system is ok but does get leaks and clogged components. Its all well documented tho. All 3.9 badged discos are d1, d2 all badged 4.0 evem tho same displacement but they had more modern fuel injection (gems). Worst part of any rv8 is infrequent oil changes cligging them up and killing them . Shine torch in oil filler to check for black death. Walk away if its looks sludgy or xs dirty in there. Anything 80k plus will have a worn cam and worn lifters to match. Listen for stuck lifters. Oil change can help sort. Make sure you start it cold no throttle and see if it idles at a normal warm up rpm and doesnt hunt. Blocked stepper motor a culprit. Good luck as after all that it will be rusting and you knows it ; )
 
would yu be up to having a peek for me - if I go any further?
Or at least holding my hand?

Assuming it's a disco 1 no problem.
Well the best time is when it's not wet, I always have Saturday's free but arrangements will have to be made during the week... so happy to hold your hand while you look underneath, then I'll check if the electrical bits are ok for you, my disco will be 18 next month so I've had a bit of time to get to know it.
 
actually all D2 V8s are motronic not GEMS, they are all fitted with the characteristic "bunch of bananas" intake system rather than the more conventional plenum chamber of the GEMS system as used in the P38.

All V8s can be extremely reliable if properly maintained, they MUST have their oil changed at the correct intervals (hard to know on a used car unless you have LOADS of receipts) and as discool said, overheating can lead to issues, but if you get a good one and you treat it right, you will be astonished how reliable they are
 

Similar threads