After the Range Rover V8 hobbling along on 6 cylinders, and spewing partially unburnt hydrocarbons back into the environment, I'm feeling quite assuaged about the emissions of this diesel. Rather than 12-14 MPG the truck now gets 30-32 MPG (Imperial) and is very drivable. I've been able to use 50% biodiesel for about half my fuel over the past year and hope to increase that as time goes by.
I've taken the truck off the road for a couple of weeks to do a couple of repairs. Primarily, a coolant leak started whenever the pressure was over about 5 pounds, and as usual these leaks never fix themselves. This one turned out to be in about the worst spot possible — between the engine block and the timing cover. This means that the entire front engine has to come apart to fix it. Just my luck. It appears a thin paper gasket failed. It's getting a heavier layer of the Right Stuff this time round. While its apart, I'm going to address a power steering leak by replacing the steering box with a better used one I have from a 1997 Discovery, and I'll likely replace the head gasket as well. Currently it has a 3-notch head gasket, because that was what I had on hand, but its in spec for a two-notch (thinner) gasket which will increase the compression slightly and perhaps the power. The gasket I had on hand at the time of the rebuild was also an off-brand and has seeped a bit over the last year, so hopefully this L-ring brand name gasket will stop that seepage. Last step of this repair job is to fix a small hole on the oil pan, since its off anyway. It isn't leaking, due to some black gunk patching material, but this is as good a time as any to make it right.
Other things I did to the truck over the past year... new springs and shocks all round, 2" lift. New Discovery aluminum wheels. New alternator and starter motor. Madman gauge. TurboSmart boost adjuster.
This is a fun truck to drive so I can't wait to roll it out of the shop again and be on my way.
