Making my 1994 200tdi reliable

Hi all,

D1 200tdi been sitting probably 5 years now (failed MOT on rust), about to get some of this sorted.

I'd like to make it reliable to get around the M25 towing etc.

What are the main things for help make this run better, already covered off the usual full service etc, should I look into any of the following and possibly more:

- Thermostat?
- Cambelt/belts
- Gearbox oil
- Brake fluid done
- Brake lines done
- Rear shocks done
- Fuel pump? This had some issue around 7 years ago a garage sorted it at the time
- Glow plugs no idea when these were last replaced

Rust on the rear body mounts are about to be looked at.

She is old year 1994 with 220k miles on it mostly motorway miles, this has been in the family since brand new (never been off road).

Or another option, sell her and buy a Honda CRV for the reliability aspect?

Any thoughts, greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Wash your mouth out with the Honda crv . I’m looking to do similar to be honest to one of similar mileage. I’m restoring one at the moment but have got a commercial to take the beating of shifting stuff about and general duties instead of my daily getting abused.

Lots of people on here have run them for years so they’ll chip in hopefully. In addition to your list of what I intend though:

Water pump (oem spec!) p gasket, fuel lines, fuel pump - lift and main, not sure if people do HG as a matter of maintenance?, silicone coolant pipe kit and a low coolant alarm.
I’m going to put a fresh alternator on also, UJs, bearings including stub axle seals, swivels/seals. A lot for the former could be done as and when you notice weeps etc. check leak off pipes, power steering hoses, oil cooler hoses, brake lines, transfer weep etc.

At high mileage I’d be looking at getting the injectors refurbed or even buying a spare set for refurb that you could swap over one day.
My resto build is having rebuilt pump and refurbed injectors but that’s a fresh rebuild that I’ll be going ocd with.

Rust is the killer mate and will creep up on you. It’s such a bastard. I’d ensure you’ve dealt with it thoroughly before putting money into it

Have you seen the towing capacity of the Honda CRV

J

resto_d1 said:

Wash your mouth out with the Honda crv . I’m looking to do similar to be honest to one of similar mileage. I’m restoring one at the moment but have got a commercial to take the beating of shifting stuff about and general duties instead of my daily getting abused.

Lots of people on here have run them for years so they’ll chip in hopefully. In addition to your list of what I intend though:

Water pump (oem spec!) p gasket, fuel lines, fuel pump - lift and main, not sure if people do HG as a matter of maintenance?, silicone coolant pipe kit and a low coolant alarm.
I’m going to put a fresh alternator on also, UJs, bearings including stub axle seals, swivels/seals. A lot for the former could be done as and when you notice weeps etc. check leak off pipes, power steering hoses, oil cooler hoses, brake lines, transfer weep etc.

At high mileage I’d be looking at getting the injectors refurbed or even buying a spare set for refurb that you could swap over one day.
My resto build is having rebuilt pump and refurbed injectors but that’s a fresh rebuild that I’ll be going ocd with.

Rust is the killer mate and will creep up on you. It’s such a bastard. I’d ensure you’ve dealt with it thoroughly before putting money into it

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Ha, thanks for the response.

Thing with the CRV is that they are dead reliable and can be picked up for around 2k!

marjon said:

Have you seen the towing capacity of the Honda CRV

J

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It is a dismal 1500kg braked towing capacity, agreed.

However, with the rust toward the back of the disco and the reliability aspect of the CRV I'm kind of swaying this way..

I'd like to get the disco back on the road but need to weigh up the effort and overall costs vs reliability aspect, although these disco 1's have suddenly become extremely rare so that does add to the appeal.

I may have punted this before but an engine monitoring system where you can set alarms for when something goes over your setting
Egt gauge - Water level monitor - water temp and oil pressure
It has single handidly made my D1 300 tdi with 800k on the clock absolutely reliable in that it picks up things way way before it becomes an issue

If you decide to sell (don't), let us know.... I've had half an eye out for a D1, might be interested.

D1Nut said:

I may have punted this before but an engine monitoring system where you can set alarms for when something goes over your setting
Egt gauge - Water level monitor - water temp and oil pressure
It has single handidly made my D1 300 tdi with 800k on the clock absolutely reliable in that it picks up things way way before it becomes an issue

Click to expand...

Interesting didn't know that was possible!

Atomician said:

If you decide to sell (don't), let us know.... I've had half an eye out for a D1, might be interested.

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Why the interest? Genuine question, why not buy a honda crv for example?

Baker556 said:

Why the interest? Genuine question, why not buy a honda crv for example?

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They are getting rare and because they are awesome
I had two Nissan Terrano's before I got my D1, the 2.7 and 3.0. both were superb pullers, and had LSD's fitted, so was pretty awesome off road/snow ECT.
But I love the look of the D1.

Baker556 said:

Why the interest? Genuine question, why not buy a honda crv for example?

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Idk... Practically, absolutely no reason. On paper, the Honda makes more sense.

But... I just like old land rovers. In reality they're sh!t of course... but somehow they've just got something about them. They're more interesting and they've got history and a bit classic and British and all the things that a Honda CRV isn't.

Why a D1? Well been thinking about this recently:

I don't need another car and it would do nothing but drain what beer money I do have left... But I just fancy a D1

You see, I likes my Freelander but I would like a diff lock and low range and 4wd for up the farm. I love the series but they're too old to be a daily runabout, and getting too expensive to maintain / find parts. I likes a defender 90 bestest of all but they're becoming a collectors / status symbol and so price is shooting up. So I'd settle for a disco

Plus, what's the fun in getting a car that's reliable?