Whatchya All!

Newbie to the forum! I just wanted to say 'hi', and ask a question.

Firstly, I'm an ex-pat in Canada's, and have owned many land rovers in the past (40), but have never had anything newer than a 2000 disco. I'm looking to replace my 35 year old million km classic with a cheap 2004 FF with known 'tappet noise' (that will turn out to be VANOS). The FF has 170,000km on it and is priced accordingly.

What I want to know is, apart from the engine noise, possible transmission failure, and air suspension compressor, what other issues might I be looking at?

I've read a lot of posts, but I can't find a 'I'm looking to buy an early L322, what should I be looking for - what known issues are there' post (please link me to it if there is one). But I have found many helpful in-depth posts on specific issues.

I'm guessing it's fitted with the BMW engine, but after that I know little about it. I'm going to go looking at it on Monday and would like to go prepared.

Hoping you all can help or link me to a post that answers these questions.

If you've had 40 odd Land Rover products then you have answered your own question!!!

They are pretty easy to work on, and on the whole built better than most Landies, they suffer from the usual bushes and ball joints on the suspension, the airbags last a fare time but can suffer from abuse, brake pipes are steel so they rust, discs and pads are cheap, handbrakes are useless even when working properly, they eat batteries and most electrical issues are down to a worn battery, door locks and cables can break, the sills and rear arches rust (you have to remove the sill cover to see it properly, but jack the car off the floor with the rear sill jacking points and if they are still there afterwards it's not too bad!!)

The Vanos is expensive to sort and a lengthy job and indicative of missed oil changes, the cooling systems sludge up and radiators need replacing after a few years, along with all the hoses and transmission cooler.

But, if you're a competent DIY'er (and you must be with that amount of Landies) then they are easy to sort, an IID tool or other full code reader is essential, I've got the IID and can recommend it http://www.gap-diagnostic.com/products/iidtool.html pays for itself after about three main dealer code reads...

Having said all that they are great and a lot of fun, kept well serviced and loved and you will find it the best one you've owned...

There is also a lot of info in the "wiki" (link via top of any page under where it says fullfatrr.com....)

get reading and good luck... Pete
I now have permission from the boss to use Y.O.L.O. Enjoy life
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2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Thanks for the advice, Pete! Very helpful, and just what I was looking for. There's nothing for the VANOS on wiki - I found a thread on another forum that supplied the parts and special tools, but I can't find the forum again, do you have a recommendation for parts and tools? I believe it's good to change the chain guides while in there?

Is there a way to check the condition of the suspension air bags? They are covered by a metal shroud, so how do I determine if they're fed-up or not?

Never done the Vanos myself, heard it costs around £1,500 GBP to do it properly including the tools required, personally if I was going to do it I'd use original parts from JLR or BMW...

There again if mine went, I think I'd look at how much an M5 engine is????

Air bags are fully exposed, no shrouding around them, the usual way to check condition is to make sure it's at standard height and then look where the bag folds back under itself, if there is any crazing then it's perishing....

If it needs new ones, stick with Delphi, the rest are not as good.... they are about £250 each for the front with the whole strut and a bit cheaper for the rears.... Pete
I now have permission from the boss to use Y.O.L.O. Enjoy life
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-