Three Biggest Sins when Driving a Land Rover 

Christian, thank you so much for your rant about social media diagnostic experts! Every word of it true

It really is an amazing world we live in now. I’m on the other side of the world in the middle of winter sitting in front of my fire with my iPad on my lap watching you two drive down an autobarn in the middle of summer. It feels like you’re my next door neighbour. Isn’t that great. Thanks guys. 👍🇦🇺

Dear Christian, I can get your bet with waking me up in the middle of the night and asking me details about service history. I can answer even regarding on how many flies hit my windshield on my last jurney. Leaving the joke aside, you are so right about everything you said! I love you both! Thank you for being there for us and sharing your experience!

Two videos in a week, we are blessed, thank you, we hope you both have a great week, see you next Sunday 😉

So glad my Discovery is so old it doesn't have an OBD port 😂

First off, thank you for everything you have both taught us all . The lessons are invaluable to all of us out here in landrover land . Invaluable information which covers everything . Sound advice as always . Vielen Dank .

With three LR’s in my driveway and no diagnostic tool I’m likely the worst sinner. Great content. Keep it coming

Because of this channel there will be Disco 3s and 4s running around well into the 22nd century...! Your passion is very addictive and I promise I will never buy a Toyota! Seriously, I've got a mate who is buying a Disco 4 today... guess what I've just been telling him - yes, engine diagnostics readout! Great, fun video, again.

The only tool I ever needed with my Discovery 1 TD200 was a mig welder to chase the rust around the body. I do hope the show (fair) was worth that very long queue.

What a great humorous way to let us all know what level of sinner we are. I have been able to get by without a diagnostic tool but agree I really do need one. Thanks again for a great video.

Possibly the most brilliant video on RU-vid this week! I think you guys need to come to the UK to one of the LR owner's shows and do Q & A on stage. I think everyone would love it!

Hi Christian and Vera, I think you videos very helpful and I also like the humour in them, I’d like to thank you for the information you provide, I’m not a mechanic but after watching your videos I felt confident enough to take on a few jobs on my LR4, transfer box fluid change, both diff oil change, fuel filter, air and cabin filter and engine oil change + filter and yes I used 5w 40 oil, my next mission is to change the gear box oil and filter which from what I’ve heard is a bit of a pain. Once again thanks for the service you are providing it really helps👌👍 Andrew South Wales🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

I like the way that you have moved the steering wheel over to the passenger side so that the missus can drive while you talk

Great video as always Vera & Christian. Thank you. Agree with your three sins. Scott H (below) makes a good point, that the plastic coolant outlet is also an engine killer. It could be added to your "List of Sins" that owners should know the history of this part. If you need to top up the coolant, track down the cause and diligently check the coolant outlet and consider replacement.

Hello from Australia Christian and Vera. I use a hawk-eye diagnostic tool. My local 'independent' land rover service works told me when i bought my D3, now got a D4, that it was as important as having a spare wheel. So i got it and use it. it's wonderful tool. Love your videos. Keep us the good work.

Our MY 2015 D4 SDV6 SE is faultless, doesn't leak oil, no issues, haven't got a diagnostic tool. Just works. But I do have a spreadsheet of the service history since I have had this car (jan 2017) just don't ring me about it in my sleep. Oh, one tip, Ceramic brake pads!!! from Akebono in the US. Love them! Lot less brake dust on the wheels! Love your work, Vera and Christian!

A minor sin albeit not too difficult to fix, is not checking to see if the tailgate release actuator has been replaced. It's definitely a job to do before it goes wrong. Just did my D4 the hard way. Love your videos.

OMG OMG. first thing. Christian please breath. Lol. Second Vera from the uk it is so nice to see you drive the way you do. In the uk people will always hog the road and never pull out overtake then pull back in. Another great video. 👍👍👍

Hi Christian and Vera just watched you're latest two videos they were both great. I owned a landrover Defender for a few years but now I drive a Toyota and have thrown away all my tools!! Haha 😄 I don't think my heart or bank account could survive owning any kind of landrover!! As I said before Landrover turning drivers into mechanics since 1948! And mechanics into alcoholics almost as long. Still I think it's impressive that 75% of the series and Defenders are still on the road.

Sin 1. I bought a D3 sight unseen in a different country with no diagnostic unit. It ended well. I was lucky. Then I bought a Lynx. Then I bought an IID tool, then when I got my Discovery 4, I bought another IID tool for that one. I inspected that D4 in Spain for 2 hours with my IID tool and a jack, I was wearing my Land Rover Toolbox overalls, and got €1000 off the price as a result of the inspection. Sin 2. My 2005 D3 ran the old oil pump for over 250,000 km. I changed the belt at 150,000km and didn't change the oil pump. I changed the pump on the second belt change at 300,000km Sin 3. Not guilty. I bought both mine at about 87,000km, and they had just the basic LR dealer servicing. Since then, they have both now done 320,000km and I have a full service record. So 2 out of three for me.

Hi, completely true number 2. Two years ago I bought a used LRD3, sent to an autorized LR dealer in order to change the timing belt and other essentials maintenance. After 5000k had a major breakdown, engine light up, not possible to analyse with the IDtool in the middle of the road. After checked the engine, found the sin 2 to be true... Major fault of the engine... Big and costly one... Thanks for all the explanations, regards

I brought an OBD tool for my land cruiser, when I plugged it. In it laughed at me and said my fault is I wasted my money lol

Absolutely spot on there Christian. I drive a 2010 D4 which I bought used with112K miles on the clock, and the same applies to that! I own an iSoft Tool, which is very good, but am saving up for the GAP tool so that I can make some changes. The service history is an absolute must, as you say, especially the timing belt and fuel pump timing chain. Another great video, and I love Vera's inputs. Take care, and hope you enjoyed the fair.

Very informative instruction. Thanks. Vera & Christian! It is very clear....from Seoul, Korea who has LR4 SDV6😀

you are so right and exactly why I moved on from 2 x Discovery 3, I Discovery 2 and two Defender to a 105 Landcruiser with a 1HDFTE conversion and magically all issues are disappeared normal servicing is all required.

4:34 : "it also fuels the bad reputation" Don't worry I think you are doing that perfectly well on your channel =) As A Toyota driver I love to watch your videos with some popcorn, so relaxing and funny to watch LR issues xD

I get the impression from online sources that old LRDs are great cars to own, especially if: a. You are mechanically gifted. b. You are married to, or related to, or a great chum of someone mechanically gifted or c. You are wealthy enough to pay someone who is mechanically gifted. Less so, if none of these conditions apply.

You don't need to worry about this stuff with a Disco' 2. Basically, if you can't poke your finger through the chassis or body anywhere and it's still managing to retain some oil inside the engine & gearbox, it'll be fine. Seriously, I'd say the biggest sin for anybody driving a TD5 LR would be to head out on a big trip without fitting a fuel pre-filter. It's kind of ironic that LR built vehicles that can travel anywhere in the world but fit them with engines that can be destroyed by a bit of water or sediment in the fuel. Also, I'd say the biggest sin for people driving ANY Land Rover is ignoring routine mainenance. If you don't know where all the various oil/grease points are, or you haven't checked them for more than a year (engine, gearbox, transfer case, diff's, axles, hubs etc), you're on borrowed time.

Sin number 1 buying a Landover in the first place. Here in the UK and probably every where else on the planet. Every garage owner rubs there hands together when a Landover enters there premises. Technicians weep. My question is why on earth would you buy such a inherently flawed vehicle in the first place. Buy Toyota and banish your fault codes readers to the bottom draw of your tool box. You will have a nice clean garage floor to. Ps seriously love your videos very helpful and we'll put together.

Forgive me for i have sinned! Sehr schönes Video wie immer! Danke !

Thanks for the video. Need to purchase GAP IID tool!

Forgive me Christian and Vera for I have sinned... I have purchased two Rovers without checking them with a diagnostic tool... and they've been great!! Other than the standard maintenance like control arms, electrical failures, needing to rebuild my transfer case, steering knuckles, compressor bushings and a front air suspension leak...

I must confess. I purchased an LR4… site unseen!! No diagnostic tool either. Since, I have repented of my sins, and after the check engine light has come on twice for no reason, and have purchased one. 🙏🏻 I was the “Toyota driver” and hoped that the lr4 would be as simple as, turn the key and driver for the next 15 years 😅

...bmw plastic coolant pump failures are charm of its own, making land rover oil pump issues as small matter...over here(Singapore/Malaysia), so so many of those with busted engines because of that plastic thing..

Good job guys..i'm not as scared of buying a landrover after watching a couple of your videos. Keep it up guys..

I definitely committed sin #1 I bought my first ever LR without a scan tool or even a knowledgable friend and btw it was a 17 year old $4000AUD purchase - me bad, but I'm loving it none the less :) but your knowledge in invaluable!! Thank you both for the entertainment and the knowledge

I just discovered (no pun intended) you guys and I love you.

This was very entertaining. I wonder now if I should get a diagnostic tool for my three Fords. I wanted to ask you now in case I forget to ask you next time we talk. I predict this video gets a lot of views. Good title and very provocative right from the start. You sound like me when I talk to people about nutrition, getting all excited, saying things like, "How the Hell can you not know, or not care, exactly what happens to your body and brain when you stuff all the various different things into your pie hole?!?!?!"

I bought an icar v3.0 before i got my land rover discovery 3 it had 24 faults through various systems cleared it all then bought it, good part of the deal they replaced the battery and put a new fuse cover on free of charge.

Why didn't you make this video last week...??? I committed 2 of the 3 sins! I just picked up my Discovery 3 (late) 2008 TDV6 on Friday. Had I have watched this i would have bought a gap tool or similar and checked it first...now I feel terrible...my previous Discovery 3 TDV6 was written off 12 months ago and only required towing home twice in the 2 years I had it, once for an incorrectly set park brake (my bad), 2nd was the alternator just stopped in the middle of an intersection, otherwise it went well, especially after changing the auto transmission fluid and filter...thanks again, I need to confess I did check the service history and most of the things were ticked off but not all things are written nowadays with dealers sending the service history via email as they go paperless. So you have to physically do the legwork yourself and arrange to talk to the mechanics after seeking permission off the owners etc. Keep up the entertaining videos.

Hi Christian and Vera. I own a land rover discovery 2 I've owned it for 10 years and apart from the normal Land rover bits and bobs going wrong its been great. I always have two code readers onboard just in case one fails. The only thing wrong I live at pump 3 at my local gas station (4.6 V8) I can only dream of owning a diesel living on the west coast of Canada you have to have half a million dollars to get a diesel. Maybe a Toyota is needed I believe they run on fresh air.

Once again very interesting,it's common sense,thanks for reminding us what we should do, cheers

Great sermon full of fire and brimstone

I love your videos, I didn't know Germans could have such a good sense of humor, have not met them for a long time, but as you can see, exceptions prove the rule. Christian, I think you're one of the few with a good sense of humor.

Christian, Not a rant, just good advice pushed home so folks don't forget.Everything you said was so true, well maybe not everything you mentioned about the Toyota drivers in their "What" cruiser. Funny thanks for posting.

Excellent advice as per usual. Keep up the good work

*start playing Handel’s Messiah * After 3 Lada Nivas and now my 3rd Discovery I can add a 4th Sin….. going to Facebook or similar for knowledge….. Just break out the manual freely available on the internet, open the tool box and start wrenching. Please keep up the work

I confess- only bought my diagnostic unit after handing over the cash, also joined the forums too - bought a D2 V8, should have bought a D3 TDV6 !!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Father’s Day Christian. Hello Vera

Of course another great video thanks Paul

Love it! I was brought up VERY Catholic, all this talk about duty and failing and guilt and sin... (even the sin of omission!) really works on a Sunday! I love you guys! 😂😜☠️

An excellent video about things that could save £k's. Sin number 1 is the one I am going to eradicate because I intend to buy a Disco 4 and once I have an iCarsoft all I have to do is fine a friendly Land Rover expert to go with me and interpret it. Love your videos.

That told us!!! Forgive me father for i have sinned...I cannot read in my vehicle history what type of oil pump it has been replaced too as it was hand written..😥🤔 Fabulous as always guys 👍

😂. Brilliant! I am sorry, Christian, Vera - for I have sinned…. I promise from now on to get myself an obd2 tool, and do my service history homework. Best Disco channel by 4 x far 👍

Take it to the dealership for a pre purchase inspection. Cheaper than buying a GAP tool. Buy that when you need it.

Great video! Yesss I was sinning until I bought an Autel maxi ( best investment ) to service my LR3 and yes you become an expert mechanic after owning one lol oh I love my LR3 just keeps me busy.

The first sin is buying a Land Rover that NEEDS a diagnostic unit. Buy something from before the ECU was introduced . There are Discovery and Defender that did not need a diagnostic system. They are simple vehicles that don't need it. I have owned both a Discovery and Defender and they did not have all these crazy fault lights and electronics. They were reliable (190K miles I put on the Discovery) and you dont need the electronic versions.

OK I sinned! The Drag' tool is just a great way to get the price down as there will be loads of faults on any LR, most of them will clear too. I'm ready for your call in the middle of the night to ask the service history but don't wake up my wife! Loved the way you had a line of people at the off road show waiting for your arrival! That was sweet!

Great tips ...all are same for Range Rover Sports

Been watching your videos for a while now is there anything you cannot do your a great couple to watch. Omg but true

I'm amazed you passed that bus

Another great video, thank you.

Another Grear Video. Congratulations!

My old series 3 Land Rover reliable, occasional servicing and put fuel in and drive it, now it seems Land Rover owners have to regularly replace parts as they are failing bad design?, I always enjoy your videos although I don’t have a Discovery and how you solve problems a brilliant engineer, what would modern owners do without your videos, lucky you didn’t choose a Toyota Land Cruiser you’d have to make videos of family dog/cat.

Land Rover Freelander TD4 auto 2006, 190000 miles, just done 7000km around Europe to UK and back to Kosovo via France Italy Albania. Not one problem, drive with mechanical sympathy, service regularly.

Thumbs up.ps.i had a Harley in the 70s.lol. Cheers.

Sin number 4 would be to rely on the original Jack that the discovery 3 comes with for changing your wheels

Hi hope you are all well. I thought the biggest sin (especially on a diesel engine) was not changing you engine oil before the recommended time. I'm looking into changing my engine oil and spend a little more to get some Amsoil signature series 5w-30 it seems to be ACEA A5/B5 and gen 2 oil. I have a 2015 LR discovery 4 SDV6 3.0 engine 31, It has been fully maintained by Land Rover service but now it's my turn, so I'll see what the have not done and what they have messed up. By the way my last car was a D2 2.5 that I keep going for 9 years, thing under warranty that they obviously don't do is change the fuel filter or put a rag over the engine. Things they do are spill brake fluid when bleeding the brakes disconnecting my dash cam and braking the support bracket, topping up a FULL washer bottle and trying to charge me for it, the list goes on. Love the videos

Good Morning Christian and Vera, sorry I don't agree with you.We are Landrover specialist and see the craziest things wen people start to diagnose themselves. You are technical so it works but many do not.Personally i have been driving Discovery 3 for many years without to many problems good maintenance is important perfromed by people who really care about the brand.I think that's the key. Have a nice sunny day.

Super videos.Thank you.

I agree with your “3 sins” but feel that the plastic coolant outlet is just as important as the oil pump. An engine killer that every owner should know the history.

FACTS! FACTS! FACTS! Yes i completely agree, people unfortunately buys a discovery 3 with no knowledge of what a discovery 3 is and what commitment's you have to have with a discovery 3 and its those people who buys it and then relies all the problems and bings and bongs and thinks why is all this happening and then when it comes to having the truck fixed and how much it cost then they start to cry and wishes they never bought one in the first place...the best way to deal with a discovery 3 'talking with experience here' is to treat it like a small child, if it isn't feeling or sounding too well have it checked, and never ever turn a blind eye to any odd sounds or screaming for that matter. just like a child that need regular heath checks from a doctor your discovery 3 is the exactly the same as in a service, oil+filter, air filter, pollen, and most importantly DIESEL filter/ fuel filter!.. and don't be afraid to have a look underneath the truck for any spills or leaks and get it fixed if you do see anything don't wait next month or wait till next service or at your next MOT 'yearly inspection to check if a vehicle is road worthy and safe' because once you do that more things will fail along side the first problem but now its even more expensive fix. YES a discovery 3 will eat through front wheel bearings faster than normal and YES the front suspension components will need replacing more quickly than your neighbour's car but that's what owning a nearly 3 Ton truck does BUT if you spend time regularly checking over your discovery 3 it will prevent expensive repairs.... again to Christian and Vera brilliant video and very much needed.

also on the d4 2014 it is recommended to replace the oil pump

Great vid thanks, and a bit of fun too.

Very entertaining video Thanks Have you or will you be doing a diag tool assessment and recommendation based on LR3 or 4 ownership ? It would great to know when im looking to buy my LR next time Thanks

You two are Fantastic Love your video’s One a discovery 2 hse great car! Hvl.

Well Christian and Vera I bought mine cos it was big and green and shiny first thing that tortured me what's the electric parking brake everything seized and rusted oh what fun the next thing was front prop shaft apparently it has had a new clutch and they hadn't replace the prop shaft bolts bless them then I did the cambelt change it went perfect new oil pump at the same time however they supplied me something called a genuine seal for the oil pump front which it wasn't and it was .05 mm smaller then the Land Rover part also it had little ribs on it guess what my genuine seal popped out luckily I didn't lose me engine but I wasn't very pleased new belts in everything going to see if I can get some sort of recompense from supplier I bought the Disco so as I could have a few jobs to do in my retirement as I am along summer it hasn't disappointed I do have another vehicle so I can work on it at leisure I don't need to do yoga or martial arts all the contortions just doing Standard jobs on this creature keep me as fit as a flea thank you for your channel guys

Hi again if I ever got to own a disco 3 which I don't think so I do have the skills or equipment or the time to repair it . I will stick with my old 300 TDI with no diagnostic socket it's old it's slow but it gets me every were I need to go without any disco lights on dash coming on

what a great video I love my disco 3 on a 08 plate, but don't understand it. I have lots of questions. I am taking it too the garage otuesday toget the rear door actuator replaced, I will asking the garage lots of questions about getting a sin 1gadget

Hi, I think it is the first time I see you drive a Discovery 3 or 4 .... Generaly You are working on it !

Sinfull episode 😈 Christian was possessed, his voice was taken over when talking about the dash lights 😂 Bought my L322 and Gap2 arrived before the car. Scanned and cleared faults and recently adjusted suspension height to enable my mother to get in to the car more easily.

Luv you guys. I do some repairs myself, electrical, I am an electronic engineers, and repaired after a deer ran out in front on me I was doing 60mph. My family walked away without injury and I have repaired my D3. Insurance declared it a cat n right off UK Classification for economic un repairable. But good now. Whether you maintain your self or pay others, the biggest sin in not to let the maintenance tasks lapse. Fairly new to your channel, comments re oil pump taken on board. I will have the conversation with the garage I use. Two questions. Mine has a sun roof, I know (leaks) don’t go there, but I have a rattle in the headlining, ideas?. Also what is the best OBD2 tool, gap2 aside. I have Carly and TOPDOD 500 reader. Not confident in either, unless not using correctly. I currently have an eye bleed so everything is work in progress at the moment. Don’t wish to through money away so recommendations appreciated. I see negative comments re you guys, total bollock, (sorry UK phrase) armchair experts 😡😡😡 Please ignore. Have a great weekend Phil

my mate suggested i keep the oil and throw the LR 3..away as it has so .many. bells wissels snd quirks

I have 2x Range rovers, nether have any problems with them, Both kept service and maintained.....

Really useful video - thanks. I flew into Wien a couple of days ago and was picked up by some friends in their 15 year old Range Rover Sport (IE: A disco 3 with a different body) - still runs perfectly and has been reliable over the years and they are still very happy - makes more than ever to want to Get a Disco 4 for myself. I do suspect that the people who say that a Land Rover is unreliable are those that treat it like a Toyota and do not maintain it regulatly as they should. 😉 I do carry a diagnostic tool - about £30 on Amazon and connects to my iPhone.

I can't agree more

Owning an LR3 means getting used to seeing it say "service required" every time you start it.

Very good

Again a very interesting video with humor for the poor people owning a Disco . Thank for it By the way I have to chek if I have a timing belt on my defender.....

big one, do not use cruise control on anything but the flat, applies especially to d3, 4, they are heavy, drive command shift, listen to your motor, downshift when it loads, keep your INSTANT FUEL mode on and you can take advantage of this I'd tow a light trailer and not load the roof with all that crap, wind drag kills economy yeppers like my CARSOFT diag tool but is does not give fuel usage readouts, torque it reads and often a fault is not a fault, in this case i shut down and restart I know i get better fuel eco than both of you, especially Wonder Woman, driving a heavy vehicle taught me how to manage that, so there!!👌

i admit i bought my lr3 without diagnosis…😢 and now beyond the battery being weak we have the car at the repair shop because of a failure in the water cooland pump…

so great video 😅👌👌👌

When watching Christian and Vera's videos, I laugh so much. Did any of you have this problem? Kind regards.

15:30 I was able to tell all these things within less than a second but acutally I am not proud of it b/c it simply means that I own a Discovery. 😂😂😂

I know which car not to get. On another front, if you guys drive under the truck pantograph cables to recharge an electric truck, can you post that video? Love to see this on the fly recharging system and it would be a bonus to see a truck using it.

ha ha maybe i i do have 2 cronky range rovers yes p38 is broken again thats why we own a volvo xc90 when you need to go it has to be able to go both ways without breaking down just popped up to northhumberland for a week away and not think why the run light came on after putting a new set of glow plugs in grr the joys of landrovers lol vera i would drive any thing without air bags and gadgets have done all my life till they started appearing

"We don't want you to commit suicide after this video" LOL :-)

I bought my P38 without a code reader, but got one in 6 months, the RSW version, I might upgrade to the icarsoft, $289 here in Canada. Funny coming back from my boat, my check engine light in my 2006 L332 came on, pretty sure it's a coolant temperature fault that I have been having (they have two thermostats) of course I changed the wrong one...... With US cars, it seems having the check engine light on is so common that the joke is "Happy days, my check engine bulb burnt out"

Hi guys someone asked me were to plug diagnosis tool in I said notion my 1970 model

I actually bought one without buying a diagnostic reader! 🤣 but I have an icarsoft reader now!