Hello All

Haven’t posted on here for a bit but thought I’d keep a little maintenance blog of my newest acquisition. Some may call me utterly mental for what I’ve just bought. So without further ado.

I have owned for the last week a 2003 Range Rover l322 vogue td6. With a staggering 230,000 miles. This is my third Range Rover, having owned a td6 and a tdv8 already. This one however isn’t quite as scary because it will only be a second car to replace my old 200tdi defender. Unfortunately a 90 doesn’t suit the carrying requirements and towing is a lot safer with all the tech on the Range Rover.

Now it’s in remarkable condition with full service history. Not a single parking dent or paint blemish can be found and she’s as straight as a die. Rust is also something it is lacking the sills are very good. One wheel arch has had a repair but that’s it. Everything works apart from the hill descent control but I think the switch has packed up as the check light comes on on start up and there are no ABS faults present. It has some awful 20 inch aftermarket wheels which will be switched with some factory 18’s. It drives well however all the turbo hoses are original and badly perished and the vacuum hoses for the vanes on the turbo have completely split. So this will all be replaced.

It is extremely original except the gearbox (obviously) and the wheels. Currently undergoing a full service and check over. With the gearbox being top of the list.
One error I did find on the way home is that it cut out and would struggle to start again. It did have only 40 miles of range left and this happened going uphill. Got a gallon of diesel and started up and carried on but then cut out again about 10 miles further in but on the flat. I’m hoping this was just low fuel as she starts really well although initially on 5 cylinders it sounds like for the first 5 seconds or so.

With any luck many pictures to follow this thread.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Nice one I would not describe you as mental, just suffering from a bad case of Rangeroveritis. Hope all goes well. Will look forwards to reading updates.

Gearbox is on the cards for tomorrow. So let’s see where we are with that.

Gearbox oil change done and it was pretty black.

Don’t think it will be on supermarket shelves anytime soon

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Nice job of the gearbox service! 2012 Orkney Grey Westminster 4.4TDV8 with Ivory interior.........nice!
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Just one Montesa now, 349 White Wonder
Austin A40 Farina MK2
1975 Morris Marina 1.8TC

If there’s a fix for the HDC I’d be interested as I get a similar message on start up

Few jobs managed over the weekend.
First I wanted to remove all error messages when starting the car. I was getting check brake pads and check coolant. These errors were not caused by low coolant or low brake pads so some new sensors were required. Ordered a rear brake wear sensor and fitted. Not that exciting nor that tricky. But problem sorted

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Todays jobs put the 18 inch wheels on that I picked up last Friday. These have about half tread left on them and a matching set of general grabber GT’s on them. All four for £150 is a bargain. Some may wonder why switch from a 20 inch wheel to an 18. Firstly I don’t like aftermarket wheels on an l322 they still look up market and I feel the wheels that came with mine were bad taste for such a vehicle. Also not knowing what brand the wheels were or the quality or the load rating I thought it’s best to go to a standard Land Rover wheel. Also this was bought as a replacement for a defender so I want lots of wheel choices and sidewall for off-road work. Plus I really like the pre facelift with the smaller wheel size.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Cleaning has commenced on the intake. It’s not perfect but certainly improved and with the egr delete fitted it won’t get that bad again. After cleaning 2 ports on the engine itself.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Just a few small jobs today. Fitted the egr delete when I did the inlet manifold so today was getting rid of the egr cooler. Most wouldn’t bother with this but after having quite a few m57 powered cars I’ve had the egr cooler fail allowing coolant in the engine where it shouldn’t be, it also allows far better access to the front of the engine especially with the viscous fan permanently removed as well.

Click image to enlarge

Haven’t posted on this for a while but not much to update. Was made redundant at the end of March and as the Range Rover is a second car it hasn’t been used much. However first real task called for a tow vehicle.

very nice mate .....keep it up