Alex_M's Land Rover Discovery II Oil Pump and Timing Chain Replacement
Oil Pump and Timing Chain Replacement Write Up - Land Rover Forums - Land Rover Enthusiast Forum
Photo: Oil Pump and Timing Chain Replacement Write Up - Land Rover Forums - Land Rover Enthusiast ForumOil pump and timing chain replacement on a Land Rover Discovery II
Alex_M documents a two-day DIY job replacing the oil pump and timing chain on his Discovery II, draining coolant and oil, stripping the front of the engine, and fitting a full kit of new parts. The thread includes his step-by-step process plus years of follow-up questions and tips from other owners doing the same job.
Specs
As stated in the original write-up.
- Thermostat
- 180F Motorad unit, fitted before this job
Parts used
Parts named as used in the original write-up, grouped the way the Parts page groups them. Where one of the shops we index lists the same thing for this car, it is shown underneath with a link to the shop.
Engine 2
- Oil pump and timing chain kitLucky 8 (WNYErikDiscoII)
Full replacement kit used for the job, purchased with a forum discount
In the shops
Timing Chain Kit ↗
Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $123.25 USD
Timing Chain Kit ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $110.50 USD
Oil Thrower, Timing Chain ↗
Racetorations· £6.50 GBP - Oil filterMobil 1 / Wix
Mobil 1 M1-301 preferred, or Wix 51515XP as a cheaper alternative
Cooling 1
- Motorad 180F thermostatMotorad
Already installed before this job, performed well despite reports of inconsistent units
In the shops
Motorad Thermostat (82-83°C) – Ford Kent/BDA/Essex V4-V6 engines ↗
Timms24 Classic Ford Parts – Capri Mk1 catalogue· €12.40 EUR
MotoRad Thermostat 88°C – Ford X/Flow, OHV Kent, Pre-X/Flow, Lotus Twin Cam, BDA, Essex V4/V6, HCS & Endura-E ↗Timms24 Classic Ford Parts – Capri Mk1 catalogue· €12.40 EUR
MotoRad Spec R Racing Radiator Cap, 18-22 psi ↗
Gartrac· $25.00 USD
Tools & Workshop 3
- Band clamps
Used on coolant hoses in place of factory clamps
In the shops
Band Type Exhaust Clamps ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $4.75 USD
Band Clamp, Intermediate Catalysts ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $29.39 USD - Petroleum jelly
Used as assembly lube during reassembly
- 2 foot breaker bar
Needed to break the harmonic balancer bolt loose
Photos
48 pictures collected from the write-up, in the order they were posted, shown from Oil Pump and Timing Chain Replacement Write Up - Land Rover Forums - Land Rover Enthusiast Forum. A picture opens larger here, with the way through to the page it is on.
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How it was done
Preparation
The author lists the supplies needed before starting: fresh antifreeze or distilled water, high-ZDDP oil, an oil filter (Mobil 1 M1-301 or Wix 51515XP), band clamps for hoses, water wetter, petroleum jelly for assembly, and a 2 foot breaker bar or large torque wrench for the harmonic balancer. He sourced a full oil pump and timing chain kit from Lucky 8 with a forum discount.
Draining fluids
Work began by draining the coolant, which he warns makes a mess, and draining the engine oil through the 15mm drain plug using a ratchet and drain pan.
Disassembly and reported condition
He describes removing components at the front of the engine without detailing every fastener, noting that when he got in, the front timing cover and oil pump were found in pristine condition despite expecting wear.
Follow-up discussion
In later posts Alex_M adds notes such as recommending the job as preventative maintenance over 100k miles, warning that a lingering oil light after the repair likely means a gashed front cover needing replacement, and discussing oil cooler line removal. Other members share their own experiences and tips for the same repair on their vehicles, including bump-starting without the fuel pump relay and using a crank bolt to rotate the oil pump by hand.
A summary in our own words. The full account, with all its detail, is in the original write-up: read it at Oil Pump and Timing Chain Replacement Write Up - Land Rover Forums - Land Rover Enthusiast Forum ↗
Worth knowing
- A lingering oil light after this repair likely means a gashed front cover that needs replacing
- Doing the oil pump as preventative maintenance is worthwhile once past 100k miles
- Oil cooler lines can be very difficult to reinstall and require patience