Discourse 6

the newsletter of the

Discovery Owners Club Disclaimer Notice

Pre-amble For the purposes of this disclaimer notice “Discovery Owners Club” and “Club” are interchangeable and assumed to mean the same thing. Advice Given Any and all advice given in this publication or elsewhere is done so in good faith. Whilst every effort is taken to ensure that any and all advice is accurate and correct the Discovery Owners Club and those acting on it’s behalf cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of advice given and anyone acting on such advice does so at their own risk. Club Events Any activities, in particular (but not exclusively) off-roading and green laning, are undertaken purely at the participants own risk. All vehicles are to be suitably insured and prepared for the activity undertaken. Participation in any club organised event is on the understanding that safety is the responsibility of the individual concerned. Public Liability Insurance The Club carries Public Liability Insurance for registered club events of a non-competitive nature. Cover is provided for the full club member, his/her spouse or partner and children all residing at the same address. Family members (see club rules for definition of family member) travelling in a separate vehicle are also included in the cover. Road traffic accident risks are not covered by this insurance and all members attending club events must ensure that they are legally insured from the time they leave home until the time when they return home again. Green Lane Events Green lane driving events require the same degree of insurance, road tax, MOT and drivers license as normal road driving as all green lanes are highways, as defined by the Highways Act 1980. “Discourse” contact details: Please forward any articles, advertisements, comments and suggestions for the newsletter to Steve Goodfellow using the contact details on Page 3.

Issue 6 September 2001

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Inside This Edition Editor's Comments 2

Committee Members 3

Derbyshire Peak District - June 2001 4

A Discovery Discovered 8

Taking The P …. Literally! 10

The Heritage Run - 6 May 2001 11

You Know You're A Land Rover Owner When … 13

Billing Show - 19 to 22 July 2001 14

Sales And Wants 17

Disco Definitions 17

Northern Cloggers Inaugural Meeting - 24 June 2001 17

Wet Wet Wet II 18

Safety Issues 19

Useful Metric Conversions 19

Wiper Arms 20

Merryfield Park - 12 August 2001 20

Beaulieu 4x4 Show - 8 July 2001 21

MOT Damage? 22

Honorary Membership 23

Letter From Australia 23

Product Reviews 24

• D&E Designs Wood Look Kit

• AutoGlym Hydra Flexi Blade

How To Change The Oil 25

Stupid Notices 26

Recommended Service Garages 27

Events List 28

Yahoo! Club 28

Web Site 28

Back Issues Of Discourse 28

Club Shop 29

Regional Meets 29

DOCNotes 29

More Photographs 28

September 2001 Issue 6

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Editor's Comments: Doesn't time fly? It only feels like a few weeks since I was last sitting here wondering what the heck I was going to bleat on about for a whole page … and it's time to put the thinking cap on again. Still, it hasn't had much use in the meantime so hopefully it'll see me right today. The club continues to grow, with new members joining all the time and existing members (finally) remembering to renew their membership. With any luck it won't be long before we can put your favourite newsletter out for commercial printing. I can hear the whoops of delight from our gallant band of printers even now. Don't turn those printers off just yet though lads - there's still this one to do! Did anyone notice how the moment Tony Blair announced the date of the general election the foot and mouth disease epidemic ceased to exist? If the remedy was that simple why did he wait all those months … he could have saved farmers all that anxiety; the tourist industry wouldn't have lost billions of pounds in revenue; MAFF would still exist; hundreds of thousands of sheep and cattle could have been spared and we could have been out enjoying the countryside again. Of course, the fact is that foot and mouth didn't suddenly cure itself and it is still with us in several areas of the country. The most recent cases in Northumberland have once again brought the crisis to the attention of the media whilst close to where I live in Somerset the disease has never gone away. Elsewhere in this edition I have reproduced the current guidelines produced by GLASS (the Green Lane Association) for it's members and would emplore all Discovery Owners Club members to adhere to it. When the Rover Group (including Land Rover) was purchased by British Aerospace everyone expected things to change for the better as far as build quality went. Then when BAe realised they couldn't make money from the group and sold it to BMW we heard much the same speculation. Now that Ford have control perhaps improvements will really come about, but in the meantime Land Rover products continue their poor showing in customer surveys. The latest one by Which? magazine has the Series II Discovery at the very bottom of a list of eighty-one cars, all under two years old. More than 19% of owners reported breakdowns in that time. Surely this is unacceptable for even the cheapest of cars - never mind something with a price tag that starts at £25,000 and only goes higher? Why do we - the adoring public - put up with this? I remember being told once that the build quality problems were as a direct consequence of the Discovery (we were talking about the Series I at the time) being hand built - the very attribute which makes the Rolls Royce such a wonderful motor car. If it works for them then why not Land Rover? Finally this month, a personal plea. If we have any Institute of Advanced Motorists members in the club would they please give me a call or send me an email? I'm in the middle of a course at the moment and need to clarify a couple of things - my observer has never taught anyone in a Discovery before and I don't think he understands some of the "intricacies" of the vehicle. Thanks in advance. Okay, well read on fellow Discovery-ites. Steve Goodfellow Editor [email protected]

And finally, finally … I would just like to say a big thank you to everyone who has contacted me with kind wishes for the start of my new job and to all those that tried to help me back into employment. It was much appreciated - cheers!


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Committee Members The following people were duly elected at the AGM in 2001 and are proud to serve you: Chairman - John Capewell Seasons, Porth-y-Green Close, Llanblethian, Vale of Glamorgan, CF71 7JR Contact details: Work Tel.: 01446 752400 Mobile Tel.: 07850 405389 Email: [email protected]

Vice Chairman - Andy Smith 31 Stanley Street, Brighouse, West Yorkshire, HD6 1SX Contact details: Home Tel.: 01484 384883 Mobile Tel.: 07970 506215 Email: [email protected]

Secretary - Mike Duncalf Beetham Cottage, Over Kellet, Carnforth, LA6 1BS Contact Details: Home Tel.: 01524 732128 (and fax) Email: [email protected]

Treasurer - Ros Palmer 31 Stanley Street, Brighouse, West Yorkshire, HD6 1SX Contact details: Home Tel.: 01484 384883 Mobile Tel.: 07966 259828 Email: [email protected]

Events Co-ordinator - Toni Armitage 11 Aireworth Grove, Keighley, West Yorkshire, Contact details: Home Tel.: 01535 677490 Mobile Tel.: 07958 376933

Membership Secretary - Steve Clive 77 Northfield Road, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG18 3ER Contact details: Email: [email protected]

Newsletter Editor - Steve Goodfellow 87 Gloucester Road, Patchway, Bristol, S. Gloucs., BS34 5JQ Contact Details: Home Tel.: 0117 904 2526 (answer machine) Mobile Tel.: 07801 096880 Email: [email protected]

Club Shop Officer - Gerry Summerfield Glenholme, Whitecroft Road, Bream, Gloucestershire, GL15 6LY Contact details: Work Tel.: 01446 737470 Email: [email protected]

History Officer - Alan Smart The Bales, Cow Lane, Kimpton, Andover, Hants., SP11 8NY Contact details: Home Tel.: 01264 772851 Home Fax.: 01264 773300 Mobile Tel.: 07831 601987 Email: [email protected]

Ordinary Member - James Law 15 Macbeth Close, Woodlands, Bilton, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV22 6LP Contact details: Home Tel.: 01788 814516 Mobile Tel.: 07944836177 Email: [email protected]


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Derbyshire Peak District: Steve Goodfellow Back in June we had a committee meeting scheduled for a Sunday, using the facilities of Blue Circle Cement in Cauldon, Staffordshire. As it’s a long way for some of us to places like this and with the countryside (just) being re-opened as the foot and mouth epidemic came under control a few of us decided to make a weekend of it and do some green laning on the Saturday. Despite

advertising the day on the e-Group [sorry to those not connected to it – Ed] we started the day with just four vehicles – myself, James Law, Steve Clive and wife (sorry but I'm hopeless with names) plus Neil Brownlee and friend. A few days before the event I contacted Derbyshire CC Highways Dept to get an accurate impression of what lanes were open and which were not. They could not have been more co-operative; maybe due to the fact that my contact there is the chairman of GLASS (the Green Lane Association)☺

Starting in Buxton, a beautiful spa town, we made an easy start by crossing the golf course at Fairfield Common, before moving on to another lane which lead us towards Tunstead limestone works and Waterswallows Quarry. So far we were using lanes which had been included in last years treasure hunt (organised by Iain Rice) and so were known to both myself and James. From the end of Green Lane we drove a short distance on tarmac to the head of Woo Dale and our first (and only) encounter with resistance. The entrance to Woo Dale is along a farm access track and when we stopped to open the gate leading down into the Dale one of the farmers came tearing towards us in his tractor before coming to a sliding halt. His attitude right from the beginning was rather confrontational but I was reasonably sure that we were okay legally (i.e. not contravening the foot and mouth emergency powers) to be there as there was no evidence of “path closed” signs.

After a short conversation the farmer got back into his tractor and sped off complaining about the ineptitude of county councils. We held a quick meeting and decided to carry on. Woo Dale must be one of the loveliest little valleys anywhere in the UK. The sides of the Dale rise very steeply to left and right before it opens up into a wide meadow with a river at the bottom. This was also on the treasure hunt route last year and I had been quite keen to revisit the place … I was not disappointed☺ Having reached the gate at the bottom of the Dale I

approached it with a little trepidation – I could see a sign pinned to the other side and began to have doubts about whether we should have driven this or not. Would the sign be good or bad?. Imagine my relief, therefore, when I opened the gate and saw the words “Path Open” – we took a picture just in case of repercussions afterwards.


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So far the lanes had been an easy drive, with plenty of room to avoid the overgrowing vegetation. Not so the next one! We exited Woo Dale onto

the A6(T) and turned left away from Buxton. A few miles further on we turned onto a country road and headed for Priestcliffe Ditch and the next lane – a limestone way, called Long Lane. By the time we had reached the end the name was beginning to sound quite apt. To begin with it was just another lane with overgrown

hedgerows and a firm limestone surface under our wheels. After about 150 metres, or so, it suddenly got much narrower with both the limestone walls and the vegetation closing in. Time for a recce on foot! James, Neil and I went down the lane for a few more hundreds of metres and decided that whilst it was going to get a bit scratchy there was room to get through. We put this to Steve and he agreed we should press ahead. Can you remember that awful noise that chalk used to make on the board at school? Well just imagine that going on pretty well non-stop for the best part of thirty minutes as we crawled forwards at less than walking pace. Take a look at the photographs – you’ll see what I mean. About 300 metres from the end of Long

Lane there is a junction with another trail leading off to the right. We took this and immediately started to climb. The track changed from having a nice firm stone base to one with quite deep soil – undoubtedly very muddy when wet, which fortunately for us it was not. Rounding a particularly sharp corner we were faced with ruts in the surface obviously caused by agricultural usage (unless you know of a recreational 4x4 that makes ruts 18” deep). Driving along here was bone jarring to say the

least and the close proximity of the stone walls made it very difficult to get out of and keep out of the ruts. Each time the front of the Discovery lifted up out of one trough I could feel the tow hook at the back dig in and act as a plough. Fortunately, with the surface being dry I was able to


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power through these moments without losing traction or momentum. Things were starting to look a bit more interesting - then just as suddenly we were back onto a stone surface again – d’oh! The next couple of lanes were wide and open giving wonderful views of the surrounding countryside. They were only marred by the number of gates that had to be opened and closed. Towards the end, as we drove along the northern ridge of Monsal Dale, we came down a steep rocky hillside – Putwell Hill. This was a real test of the Discovery’s suspension as the wheels rose over and down closely spaced boulders. Fortunately these stones are well bedded into the hillside or a rapid, uncontrolled descent would have been experienced. Having driven up this slope before I can say quite categorically that going down was easier on the bones than going up. Making a left turn before the bottom of Putwell Hill we headed down to Upperdale and back onto tarmac. We turned right here and climbed the road to Monsal Head, where we enjoyed a fine brew and some welcome sustenance at the local pub. The first lane we tried after lunch turned out to be too narrow for the Discovery (maybe a Series I would have gotten through but I doubt it) so we were forced to turn around and head back to

tarmac. We were soon on the rough again though as we traversed High Rake and Deep Rake; again the surface was stony and firm but at least that allowed enough time to look out at the views, which were quite stunning. At the end of Deep Rake we turned right onto the B6001 – this is a very nasty place to exit the lane as it is in the middle of a blind bend – and headed for Hassop. Through Hassop we made our way to the next lane – and my first navigational error. It wasn’t my fault, Gov’ … honest! I just followed the pathway signs … it’s not my fault it was through somebody’s

garden realising our (my) mistake we reversed and continued in the right direction until we came across the first of two obstructions – a tree lying right across the track. At first sight we weren’t hopeful of shifting this as the trunk was about 18” in diameter but as luck would have it the thing was rotten to the core and broke up easily. Anyway we ablated the obstruction (coo! a bit of technical jargon) and were able to complete the lane without further mishap. Next came a very pretty little lane which brought us out into Edensor – right across the road from Chatsworth House. Turning right we made our way for a couple of miles on tarmac to reach the start of the next lane and a quick discussion about whether it was open, or not. Stopping at the entrance to the lane we could see “Path Closed” signs on the footpaths that


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crossed at right angles but nothing on the lane itself. Despite the footpaths being obviously closed we still saw several walkers on them. Our deliberations concluded that the footpaths were

closed because they actually went through the farmyard but as the lane didn’t it would be open. Based on that decision we drove on, and what a treat we had install. From the start at Beeley Lodge the lane climbed quite steeply to Beeley Hilltop before dropping, gently at first and then more steeply past Hell Bank Plantation. And the treat? Right at the end of the lane there was an ice-cream van☺ By now it was mid-afternoon and we still had several lanes planned so we drove on taking the next short, but quite rough lane in our stride. As

we began the following section a couple out walking their dogs stopped us and (instead of the anticipated confrontation) informed us that the lane was blocked by a fallen tree further on, which they didn’t think we would be able to get around. Oh ye of little faith! We decided to drive on and see how bad the situation really was and soon found the obstruction. It looked like a large bough had been felled deliberately across the lane and, judging by the cleanliness of the scar on the tree trunk, quite recently too. The discussion that followed considered several options until James said he had a hacksaw in the back of his Discovery which we could use to cut off the larger bits sufficient to enable us to drive over the rest. Great idea … just hope it’s not a junior hacksaw … it was! Undaunted we took it in turns to cut, bend, snap and otherwise remove the various bits of the tree until we had enough room to get by. At which time, of course, the hacksaw blade broke … good timing☺ Undaunted then we drove on until the lane started to get pretty narrow and I decided another foot recce was in order. A measure of how narrow it was is that no-one else could get past my Discovery to join in the walk down the lane. Having walked about 250 metres I was beginning to think it would be okay –

with care. The surface was made up of large stones and there were several steps to go down but with caution they would be okay. Going up might not have been so easy though. Then I rounded a curve to see both walls bulging inwards from the bottom and hanging precariously over the lane. Uh-Oh! Anyone getting jammed in there would require some seriously heavy recovery equipment to get them out and reversing back up the lane would be out of the question without bridging ladders to get back up the steps. So, it was no-go … reverse back up to the last few houses and turn out onto

the main road. That took us the best part of 15 minutes and annoyed the local farmer who had to wait for us all to clear the lane before he could go down to his farm – oops!


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A few more miles of tarmac driving across Darley Dale brought us nicely to what turned out to be the last lane of the day and my final navigational error. Hey, two mistakes in one day is not

bad considering I was driving and navigating … well that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it. Anyway I didn’t hear anyone complaining at the time. This lane took us through some very picturesque woods (shame no-one actually took any pictures here) after a short, steep, uphill climb on a loose dirt and shale surface. Skirting the edge of the wood we had open fields on one side and a steep, wooded drop on the other – not a time to let your concentration drop. After completing this lane we decided to call it a day as the time was marching on and James, Steve and I still had to get to our camp site and set our

tents up before it got too dark. On the way there, though, we did see a fantastic looking ford which I (for one) will have to investigate when we return to the area for the August camping and caravanning weekend. A Discovery Discovered: James Locke I grew up in Kenya and Uganda around some museum pieces on the farms and in the police in Uganda, and then spent some interesting times on Land Rovers in the forces for nine years. Later in life, I treated myself to four Unimog 406’s to take a bunch of 26 youngsters out to live in the Sahara for 10 weeks where they, and the vehicles, did extraordinarily well. After that, I drifted back to Land Rovers, Series 2’s, in which I earned a living for while, again, driving people around the Sahara. Then a long arid, desert of time without a Land Rover. I lusted after a Discovery when they first appeared, but time, circumstances, money etc militated against such a purchase. Recently, however, things have changed and I have managed to justify the purchase of a Discovery to myself, bank manager and family. So… I purchased a Land Rover Discover at auction, knowing full well the risks involved. The vehicle is an N registered Tdi S with 107,000 miles on the clock. No service history available and sold with a ‘transmission whine’. The mileage was higher than I intended, but put that down to a very rainy day, poor lighting conditions and wet specs! I thought it read 76,666 instead of 107,666. The problems? Transmission Several problems here, the whine described by the auctioneer takes me back to Land Rovering in Kenya in the late fifties/early sixties. That comforting, familiar Land Rover sound of a whining diff is back with me, but with a new vehicle it ain’t supposed to be there. Low ratio is very nearly impossible to get at all and when it finally gives up arm wrestling me, pops out at the first opportunity. Tried it out on Salisbury Plain and this particular characteristic is embarrassing when cross-axled over a ditch climbing a steep, greasy, chalk covered bank. Glad to report that as time goes by and I get to use the thing on a friend’s farm, the low ratio now stays selected! Gears are reasonably selectable (for a Land Rover I guess) at the start of a 20 mile trip to work, but by the time I arrive they have stiffened up quite considerably. This worries me somewhat in traffic and racing changes are a complete failure on a busy roundabout. I have changed the oil to ensure the correct fluid exists, but notice no appreciable difference at all. I wonder what it’s going to be like at the end of 600 mile days on our way to Morocco at the end of the year.


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Handbrake snatch is another problem area. Slow, first gear starts/stops in traffic produce some very noticeable jerking accompanied by distinctive Land Rover clonks. Something is going to fly off shortly I fear. Fuel Vehicle cut out for the fifth time on a motorway recently. Had it been petrol I would have said electrics, but this ain’t no petrol vehicle. But the failure was that sudden, no hint, coughing, just instant, deafening and embarrassing silence – I share vehicles to and from work and I sense a lessening of passenger confidence has occurred recently. I would have expected the in-line filter to have removed all crud, I therefore suspect air in the system or a sedimenter which could do with emptying. Lousy consumption figures of 27/28 at steady 60 mph on motorway. 15 of my 20 miles to work are on a motorway and with a steady speed and light foot I expected somewhat more than this. Door locks Nightmare of embarrassment, the vehicle alarm is taking over the world. Goes off when I set it with the key fob at all times, day or night. It locks, promptly unlocks itself and then wakes the world. Occasionally, just occasionally, it lets me lock it up. For a while the drivers door would not lock manually and the boot lock failed last night completely, in the locked position. Can’t open it from inside or outside although the plunger moves up and down. And, yes, I have changed the battery in the fob and all doors, windows and sunroof panels are closed. Have made progress here though – tore the drivers door panel off and applied copious quantities of WD40. I can now actually lock the vehicles using the key and unlock it using the remote. The rear door has now also fallen into line once more and access to the boot is possible again. Suspension Driving this thing is a bit like sailing a tall ship in a force eight gale. It’s all over the place and feels far from secure. I am aware that the anti-roll bar bushes and bolts require replacement, and suspect that 106,000 miles has probably done for the shockers and springs. Perhaps I should be including the steering damper on my list of ‘possibles’. Recently answered an advert in the Discourse and purchased a virtually new set of springs and shockers from a fellow club member in Newbury. Have already recovered the cost of club subscription! Cooling Engine runs cold, and I mean cold. Uncomfortable to travel in this vehicle. Eventually, after 20 miles I can, sometimes, consider taking off my bad weather jacket. I’m told, by the garage which changed my timing belt, that the viscous fan is partially seized, therefore over cooling the engine. I asked that the fan and cowling be left off when the timing belt was replaced as I intended fitting a Kenlowe fan, but I was informed that to do so would unbalance the engine and cause vibration which would damage the engine. The fan was refitted despite my request and I continued to have a very cold-running engine. First time I’ve heard that one. I have since been back to the garage and insisted that they remove the fan. I have also now changed the thermostat and what a difference!


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Dashboard No prizes for guessing what I’m going to say here! Yep, it’s the Land Rover special dashboard again, all curled up and useless!! I gathered a cap-in-hand approach to Land Rover would be met with sympathy. Ummm… that’s another story, but one of success. Electrics Rear window wiper inoperative as is the rear window washer, reversing lights, cigar lighter and clock. Offside headlight not working and a check revealed that the bulb holder was actually charred and burnt. Mayhap this is the root cause of the wiper, washer and door problem? I have checked all the fuses without success. Leaking Roof A little bonus thrown in by Land Rover. After my purchase and being remarkably observant, noticed that the vehicle very quickly steamed up whenever the temperature sneaked above freezing. I very quickly noticed also that the passenger door, seat and carpet were saturated and soon the cab began to stink in the warmer days. Leak was traced to the forward sun roof. Did I buy a dog or something? My local garage assures me I did! I promised, years ago, to drive my family into the Sahara and we planned on going this Christmas, but a serious rethink is now on the cards. Maybe I should consider one of those dreadful foreign thingies after all, and that would be a great sadness as I’ve been a Land Rover supporter for 40+ years, despite the poor build quality and Land Rover’s cavalier attitude towards improvement and consumer concerns…… Taking the P... literally! Phil Newland Our 300 Tdi Discovery has developed a small water leak from a gasket between the block and water pump housing. I looked in the Haynes manual and decided I could do this myself along with the leaking oil cooler pipe (plus the A frame joint and rear shocks). Talking to Angus Leat of AHL Engineering (near Maidstone, Kent) to order the parts he immediately knew the leak point - the P gasket - a well known problem. This gasket is shaped like a letter P and has been modified from a paper type to something more substantial. With the parts ordered and collected I started on a Sunday morning, removing the various hoses and the viscous fan followed by the fan belt and tensioner. I was surprised at the build up of oily muck in the top intercooler pipe and inlet manifold but the actual intercooler looked clean. The power steering pump pulley needs to come off, and to stop it turning while the bolts are undone I had to refit the fan belt and tensioner! But would those bolts move? I even twisted one ring spanner handle (not a cheap Chinese one either) but not even a long socket bar would move them; and the pulley slipping round didn't help either. So plan B was to undo the 4 bolts holding the pump bracket and ease it forward a bit at a time. The bolt hidden under the alternator had other ideas though and stubbornly refused to move. At this point I had spent about 3 hours to achieve nothing, so before I ruined the bolt heads I decided to put it all back together. (Yes ... defeat!) All the bits went back on OK and I even got the black plastic filler plug out without breaking it, but it did feel a bit springy! As per the book I refilled the system via this plug, thinking this is taking quite a bit of extra water, until I noticed it gently flowing out of the header tank cap which is at a lower level. To correct the level I used a syringe to draw water out of the tank, which took quite a time, especially when the body of the syringe dropped into the header tank and gently floated away out of sight. After 20 minutes of fishing with pliers, wire and a hacksaw blade I had to unbolt the tank and tip it up to get some of the water out and retrieve the syringe. Finally back together and not leaking any worse than


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before I worked out a much better way of fixing this problem. I phoned Angus and booked it in with him!

The Heritage Run:by Emma Jackson and James Barnes We were looking forward to doing our first Heritage Run from Solihull to Gaydon on May 6th

after booking it only a short while before this date. We had borrowed a video camera from my dad and a couple of spare batteries to make sure all the good bits were filmed.

Sunday morning – we woke up nice and early to find that the weather was not so good. It wasn’t raining but it was quite cold. We left Ledbury about 7.45 am with the aim of meeting up with fellow Discovery Owner Club members at Hopwood Services on the M42 at 8.30 am. We arrived a little early to find a solitary Discovery parked in the car park; so we got out and made ourselves known. We then headed on inside to find the toilets and an expensive cup of tea! We sat down inside only

to be joined by other members of the club who we had previously met up at the same point on our convoy to the AGM at Gaydon – at least it wasn’t snowing this time!! After gathering all the Discoverys together, we decided to make our way to Solihull. After leaving the M42, the hardest part was yet to come. If any of you can remember there are a few sets of traffic lights before you arrive at Land Rover. It was quite hard keeping all seven Discoverys together to make our grand entrance into the factory. After a couple of stops to make sure we were together, we entered the factory in our little convoy to be pointed in the direction of the car park where a couple of other Discoverys were and to be greeted by Steve who had been there for quite a while. We all got out of our vehicles to go and sign up and get our heritage run plates and directions of how to get to Gaydon. It was quite a sight to watch all the men attaching their plates to their

pride of joys with cable ties (what we normally use to keep our air filter closed so we had a plentiful supply on hand just in case our vehicle decided to backfire along the way!). Quite a few of us then had a good chat while we waited and others disappeared inside the factory to use the toilets (again!) or was it to have a quick peep inside the factory doors to see what they could find! On finding the toilets, there was a lovely old man cleaning the floors and pointing us in the right direction of the toilets (well I think he was the cleaner, or he could have been

from MAFF because he was wearing white waterproofs from head to toe!).


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Time came for us to all leave the factory. It was quite a while before we left as we were second to last before the Freelanders. Before we left, Nick handed out posters to stick in our vehicles which spelt out DISCOVERY which each letter meaning something different about the

Discovery. This is the point where we all turned out headlights on and where I started to film our journey whilst James was driving. We were heading out onto the main road when I realised James had hit quite a big speed bump whilst I was still filming so for a good laugh you will need to see the video where one minute I am filming Owen driving his Discovery in front being waved off to where I am filming the lovely birds in the sky and a nice swear word!

There was quite a bit of traffic coming out of Solihull so some of us were split up. It was quite funny to be heading over the motorway to find a Range Rover with a heritage plate on coming from a different junction which obviously must have taken a wrong turning (typical Range Rover)! Once onto the dual carriageway, we were joined by various other makes of Land Rovers including Tigger the orange and black ‘101’. Once onto the country lanes, most of the Discoverys were together again and I am still filming Owen’s back end (of his Discovery) and Lee’s front end via my side mirror. On approaching Gaydon, we had passed a sign for the Heritage Centre and by this point were wondering where we were going but only to realise that had sent us via the other end to avoid traffic building up. Once into the entrance of the Heritage Centre, it was quite a sight to see plenty of other Land Rovers that weren’t in the run but had come Gaydon. From this point, we were gathered back into our convoy for our final trip down the drive leading up to the Museum. There was quite a crowd of people at the bottom with faces we recognised to

greet us that we had met at other DOC meets. We were parked up in the main car park and were left to our own devices to have a look round and to visit the DOC tent and catch up with other members. The museum at the Heritage Centre was very interesting and the canteen inside is definitely a place to visit. We popped in for a sandwich and a hot drink. I sat down on a stool whilst I left James to go and get served. Whilst he was gone, I decided to lift myself up higher onto the

stool so I put my feet onto the foot bar and lifted myself only to hear a big ‘crack’. Not only had


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I broken the foot bar but also I think I had managed to attract the attention of everybody sat around me as they stared at me in disgust. I was left there on my own with cheeks the colour of beetroot with nowhere to run to! Overall, I enjoyed the whole day and we now have a thirteen minute videotape of our journey (well you didn’t expect me to film the whole thing did you?). Anyway, one of the spare batteries was flat and I had used up the other one whilst I became obsessed with the zoom in and out facility! If you would like a copy of this video, please send a cheque to myself for £100 (inc. P&P)!! We are now looking forward to taking part in next year’s Heritage Run. You Know You're A Land Rover Owner When... Anon • You use a hose to clean the inside and the outside • You determine that the best route from A to B is through a rock pile or over a mountain • You call a scratch or a dent, a beauty mark • You roll it over and don't get upset • Your mum or your sister can't get in without help • You judge every hill you see by how much fun it would be to climb • You puke when you see a RAV-4 • You get custom pin-striping from trail brush • It takes more than 6 hours to get donuts • You pull into the unplowed parking spots on snowy days • You take your friends wheeling and they say "What trail; I don't see a trail!" • You carry emergency supplies and clothing because you never know where you will end up • Your Nerf bars battle rocks and win • It rains and you don't care that your tops and doors are off • You drive around to look at Christmas lights topless • You change your plugs in the parking lot at work on a break • Your "Parts Department" is on blocks behind your house • You take your Mum wheeling and she has to help you flip the Land Rover back onto its wheels again • You use an ice-scraper on the inside of the windshield • You get more heat from holes in the floorboards than through the heater vents • Every page of your repair manual has greasy fingerprints • Passengers scream "DON'T ROLL IT!" when you take them wheeling • You spend more time under your Land Rover than under your significant other • Winter comes and your can't remember where you left your top • You spend more on car washes than on insurance • Even worse, the car wash won't let you in • You fix almost everything yourself • You feel sorry for someone in a $60,000 Toyota Land Cruiser • You have all your credit card numbers memorised • You slam the door and chunks of dried mud crumble to the ground • You get asked to pick up your co-workers in a snowstorm and get paid for it • Your wife/girlfriend refuses to get in it • You are the only one on the street who doesn't plough their driveway • You are dating the Service, Parts, or Sales Manager at your local Land Rover dealership • You try to run the plough trucks off the road when it snows heavily • You can't hear your $200 stereo over the howl of your tires on the highway • You have a high-water mark INSIDE the Land Rover • You think that any tire that isn't waist high looks like a bagel • You can't take a girl, who's wearing a dress, on a date without carrying along a set of steps


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• You can't sneak into church late because the engine is too loud • You carry along enough tools to supply a small garage • You nickname your Land Rover after the noises it makes or it's most damaging trail accident • You carry along a replacement part for every drive component on the Land Rover • You can air up your tires without stopping at a gas station • You know how to reinforce the windshield frame near the wiper arm • You're constantly getting passed on the highway • Your wallet is always empty! • Parents keep telling you to move the 'stuff' in the hall way, mainly a winch, winch mount plate,

overdrive - in bits..... • You can tell were you have parked, oil and mud on the road. • The neighbours keep saying 'haven't you fixed it yet?' • On most days you can smell EP90 on your hands. • Finally, grease and mucky oil seems to stick to your hands.... Billing Show - 19 to 22 July 2001 No write-up for this event … just some pictures to show what a great time we all had☺


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Sales And Wants: *LR Oval - DISCOVERY - LR Oval* sticker. External fitting above the windscreen. 5cm x 62cm, Black lettering with LR logos either side on a clear background. £10.00 + p&p (£2.00) Andy Smith, Tel: 01484 384 883 / 07970 506 215, Email: [email protected]

For sale: 300 series goodies. Genuine L/R dog guard in grey - £60.00 & black full wrap around L/R bull bars - £100. Both items in immaculate condition. New Td5 on its way so I have taken accessories off my 300 series. Phone Simon on 0161 439 2199 (Stockport) Disco Definitions: Here are some alternative definitions for the word "Disco" - From: Nick Evetts Delightful Indescribable Scum-Repellent Comfortable Ours!!!!! From: Eddie Dinsdale Disco Italian Style Cool Old-Timer From: Damian Bunn Don't Invest Substantial Cash Or else From: Steve Goodfellow Don't Invite Sean Connors Over here Northern Cloggers Day Out: Toni Armitage On the 24th of June an impromptu gathering of Discovery members was held on the moors, just outside Oxenhope. The time was 12 noon, a public house on the outskirts of the moor, looking out on the dales. On a beautiful Sunday in summer (we must make the best of the few we have). “On a clear day you can see for miles”, as the song goes, until the car park starts to fill with Discovery’s one by one. From all corners of Yorkshire and Lancashire they came, forming up a line of proudly owned vehicles, making onlookers stare. Just for those who couldn’t make the gathering, imagine this

is the site that met the passing traffic. We even had an interloper tag on the end of the line. Every Discovery that passed was a potential member [so why weren’t you out there


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recruiting them? – Ed]. Of the three that parked in car park, two were asked if they would to join, one said no, but the other was interested, or scared we were going to mob them. They arrived just as we were leaving for a convoy drive. The motley crew who joined in the gathering. After a hearty meal (it was dinner time). Quite a lot of orange juice was downed that dinner. The new landlord said we were welcome anytime. He wasn’t sure when I asked if we could take over his car park what he was in for, but even he enjoyed the day. After food and refreshment we drove over the wainstalls moor towards the windmills all in convoy.

To a passing couple having a picnic on the moor side, the site of 7 discovery’s passing and waving (they did have a discovery) may have them thinking what on earth. They did wave back smiling. The boy racer who was trying to be Colin McRae, met the lead vehicle, trying to push it over, on a corner only to meet another, then another, it was amazing how quickly he soon backed down. What a site on such a lovely day! Seven discovery’s crossing the moors. Quite a few

surprises for the public on their Sunday outing. But we did drive slowly, so everyone could have a good look at the very happy members within our club. Please come along and join us at the Clogger gatherings, you are welcome to bring along anyone you like. Contact Toni Armitage () for more details. Wet, Wet, Wet II: Grant Jobson This is in response to the article entitled wet, wet, wet in the March issue of the newsletter. I have a 1990 Discovery that had a similar problem, when I purchased it 2 years ago. After trying various methods to rectify this problem, an idea struck! I spoke to a local sunroof specialist, who informed me that the sunroof in question, was only available as an after market item for about 18 months to 2 years, in about 1987/88, by a company called Tudor Webasto. But was discontinued due to the aforementioned leaking problems. The sunroof then found its way to Solihull, to be introduced as an OE, or after-market option for the Discovery in 1989 (Dodgy dealing going on, or was it stock clearance from Tudor Webasto). I was advised by the sunroof specialist, the only way to resolve this was to put in a new sunroof of a slightly larger size, thus eliminating the leakage and decreasing my bank balance by about £500 (ouch!). This as you can imagine was unacceptable, so I went about it myself. In order to solve this problem I:

• Purchased a set of new rubbers from my main agent. Installed them as Mr Capewell had done, thinking that the new rubbers being pliable, unlike those they were replacing, would be an end to the problem. It wasn't! As I found out when a puddle appeared on my front seats and the rear security cover.

• I then removed the rubbers,. cleaned with meths and then tried a seek n' seal comma product. This improved things as far as the rubber to body work seal. But the glass to rubber, where I found the water to be coming in from, was unaffected.

• Then I replaced the 2 twisting openers, as I found my one's threads to be damaged at the point of tightening adjustment. This then cured the glass to rubber leak, but hey presto re-introduced the body to rubber leak!

• I then removed the rubber seals yet again. Cleaned the entire sunroof frame and rubber seal of the seek n' seal. (not a fun job). The final chapter so far, was to re-install the rubber seals, but on top of a bed of bathroom silicone sealant, having done that I then put


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a bead of bathroom sealant around the body to rubber top joint, this was done approximately 18 months ago and I haven't had a problem since, even through all the rain and flooding! The sum cost of this exercise was the cost of a tube of bathroom sealant and 2 rubber seals, not the £500 quoted.

P.S. my 2 door discovery is black the same style as John's, perhaps its only the black one's that leak?! Safety Issues: The following items have been sent in by club members as being of interest to those owners whose vehicles fall within the VIN number ranges specified. The club has not been able to verify the accuracy of these reports but concerned owners should be able to get confirmation from their local franchised dealer. Model affected - Discovery Built from 04/95 to 07/96 Latching of front right hand door: Under certain circumstances it is possible that the front right hand door may not latch properly. The affected vehicles are being recalled to have the operation of the front right hand door checked. In all cases a modified screw will be fitted to the lock to eliminate the concern but where the check indicates that the latch may be binding then this will be replaced as well. VIN: LJ 156137 to LJ 200000, LJ 500032 to LJ 537985, LJ 700000 to LJ 707210 Recall launch date - January 24, 1997 Build dates - 14 April 1995 to 23 July 1996 Numbers involved - 22,723 Model affected - Discovery Built from 06/95 to 08/95 Seat belt fixings may be insecure: The seat belt fixings may be loose at the frames on both front seats. Should these fixings come adrift the effectiveness of the seat belt will be reduced in the event of an accident. Recall the affected vehicles and check the torque of the belt fixing retaining bolts on both front seats, re-torqueing if required. VIN: LJ 163104 to LJ 172980, LJ 501920 to LJ 504525 Recall launch date - September 5, 1995 Build dates - June 1995 to August 1995 Numbers involved - 5,599 Useful Metric Conversions: Anon 1 million microphones 1 megaphone 2000 mockingbirds two kilomockingbirds 10 cards 1 decacards 10 rations 1 decoration 100 rations 1 C-ration 10 millipedes 1 centipede 3 1/3 tridents 1 decadent 2 monograms 1 diagram 2 wharves 1 paradox 1 millionth of a fish 1 microfiche 453.6 graham crackers 1 pound cake 1 trillion pins 1 terrapin 8 nickels 2 paradigms


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Wiper Arms: Nick Mayo I bought my TD5 MM Auto in January 2000 having had a Series I V8 for two years (I must be honest and say that I do miss the "burble" of the V8 if not the fuel bills!). I think that the Discovery is a great vehicle - it's just the attention to detail that needs to be sorted out. I am now joking with my dealer, Guy Salmon in Thames Ditton, that they should give me a season ticket! It must be said that they have been great at trying to sort out the teething troubles and they do look after people very well. Unfortunately accidents happen and they broke the windscreen while sorting out a leak to the front passenger footwell which when replaced caused no end of grief with wind noise and creaking. It was fixed in the end and now the leak is back! Apparently it might be a design flaw which lets water in via the heater if you use a hose or pressure washer to clean the car - but I'm sure none of us ever do that! It was brought home to me that there were a number of things not right with my particular Discovery when I went on the first level driving course at Land Rover a couple of months ago - which I highly recommend by the way. Anyway, driving a Series II over fairly tough ground created none of the creaks and sounds I experience over the odd pavement and sleeping policeman and the Land Rover guys there insisted that things should be perfect and don't let up until they are. So it's all their fault! The two years inclusive servicing (nothing is ever free) is to be recommended and Land Rover should include this for all UK supplied cars until the attention to detail improves. I have had a number of other issues with the car which I won't bore you with but at the end of the day I love it and will have another. A couple of items which might be useful for other Series II owners: 1. Don't buy the "Sports Bar" roof rack. It breaks the paint and mastic on the gutters, which if

then not corrected will lead to rusting. My dealer is looking into it. If you need the ability to put long things on the roof, my dealer recommends the roof bar extensions.

2. If you remember all the fuss over Series II and possible towing instability, I have found that it has been an exceptional tow car for pulling a large caravan with a multitude of bikes on the tow bar as well. I recommend it highly for towing.

Cheers one and all and I look forward to all you experts teaching me off-roading skills on some non-damaging green laning once the dreaded lurgy has gone. [I still haven’t figured out what this has to do with wiper arms – Ed] Merryfield Park: Steve Goodfellow Sunday 12th August 2001 saw eleven club members plus a few invited guests from other clubs descend on a new off-road site close to Ringwood (Dorset) for a day of fun. Occupying a small corner of an old, disused RAF base this is a man-made course with every type of obstacle provided to test both drivers and machines. We started off by being shown around by the organiser (Peter Ryder of Greentrack) and the first obstacle we came to - moderate side slope - gave us the first and only recovery situation of the day. Fortunately, it


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wasn't a Solihull product that got stuck but a Kia Sportage which became beached when it ran out of ground clearance☺

Following the guided tour members were free to roam the site and try out the various obstacles. Anyone that requested some guidance from more experienced drivers were speedily and gladly accommodated and a friendly banter soon evolved. This, of course, egged people to try things that they might not otherwise attempt - like the Hog's Back for example. Initially this would have been impossible for a Discovery to negotiate without losing the front valance but once Peter had been down it a couple of times in his ex-military

Series III it was time for the braver souls among us to give it a try. The photographs here do not do this slope justice … it was terrifyingly awesome! Just ask anyone that drove it or went as passenger. Looking out through the windscreen the view went from clear space on the approach to nothing but the ground as you went down the slope. Even craning my neck upwards as we slowly sank down I couldn't see the sky - and it was no less impressive the second time around either☺ We were then given a demonstration of hydraulic winching power as the on-site recovery vehicle winched itself back up the Hog's Back. I've seen some impressive recovery equipment over the years but was left open mouthed by this demonstration with the winch pulling against not just the steepness of the slope but locked wheels and the steering turned fully to one side as well. As the vehicle crested the hump and the winch angle changed it even compressed the front suspension - awesome! All in all, a good day's fun. Beaulieu 4x4 Show: The first Beaulieu 4x4 Show was held in the grounds of the National Motor Museum on Sunday 8th August 2001 and we (your favourite club) were in attendance along with, it has to be said,

many other like minded clubs. For a first time event the turnout of exhibitors and visitors was extremely good and we managed to sign up several new members and sold quite a bit of club stock - the first time it had been seen in public. Interest in our stand was brisk all day and conversations soon turned to which Discovery was the best, which to use for towing large caravans, how to make them better off-road, does your LPG conversion really work, and all

the other usual questions that get asked when members get together. The display vehicles were provided by Stefan Tapp (who organised the whole thing for us), Gerry Summerfield, Steve


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Goodfellow and Mel Wolff. Neil Brownlee was also there with Piglet. But we banished him to the Milton Keynes 4x4 Club stand for the day. The stand was arranged around a 9'x9' army tent

with the vehicles pointing outwards in the form of an "X". This gave maximum usage of the available space whilst giving uncluttered access to the vehicles and tent. You may have seen Mel's bright blue vehicle (pictured above) recently in LRM - they did a five page article on them both in the September 2001 edition [shame the club sticker doesn't get more prominence though - Ed]. The pictures here were taken during the morning, before things got really busy [what, in the beer tent? - Ed]. It's a sure fire thing that we'll be there again next year☺ MOT Damage? Alan Morris My Land Rover Discovery was recently tested at a local MOT station. For the brake test a single axial rolling road was used. I understand that, according to the MOT Tester's Manual, the tester should have used a Tapley Decelerometer, to test the brakes as the Discovery has permanent four wheel drive. On the first journey after the test, I was travelling on a three lane motorway at night (about 2am.) towing a caravan. Travelling at about 55 mph, the vehicle veered to the right into the central lane. Fortunately I was able to keep control and returned back into the near side lane and onto the hard shoulder. The front offside wheel had locked solid. We were most fortunate that the motorway was empty. I walked back along the hard shoulder with a torch and was able to see the extent of the skid mark on the road surface. Starting in the left-hand lane, the mark continued about 3 feet into the central lane before passing through the left hand lane and onto the hard shoulder. I measured the length to be about 215 yards. Recovery became a problem because the locked solid wheel would not rotate. I am most concerned that a government test, that is an annual mandatory requirement, conducted with the purpose of road safety; should cause damage to my vehicle resulting in a most dangerous vehicle. I had watched the test as the tester drove onto the rolling road so that the front wheels were both on the test rollers. The front wheels were rotated with the rear wheels not moving, while two readings were taken. The test equipment used a large round illuminated analogue meter of about 300 degrees with a digital readout in the centre. The readings were quite high. The Discovery was then positioned with the rear wheels on the rollers and similar tests were made with the rear wheels being rotated with the front wheels not moving. I noticed that the readings were much lower and my immediate thought was that the rear brakes had failed the test.


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I'm not too sure whether one or two readings were made as it was done much quicker than the front wheels. As usual, I had booked in with my Land Rover specialist for a pre-MOT service. He would then take the Discovery to a MOT station, but this year, the tester was ill and unable to conduct the test. I therefore had to use another test station that I had never used before, which clearly was not familiar with the correct method of testing a Discovery. If I was to be placed in a similar situation in the future, I would for safety reasons leave the MOT test until it's specialist maintainer could take the car for it's test after completing it's regular pre-MOT service, even though it would mean driving without a current MOT certificate. Has anyone any experience of similar failures of a CV joint locking solid? Or any experience of any damage caused by a tester at a MOT station? Honorary Membership: It is with great pleasure that the Committee can announce the election of our first Honorary Member. If you refer to the club rules (rule 20) you will see that this appointment is made at the discretion of the Committee to recognise various categories of person and it is the latter one that we recognise by this particular appointment. James Taylor is a motoring journalist and historian with a world-wide reputation and his various writings on the history of Land Rover in general and the various Solihull models (including the Discovery) set him aside from his peers. As a Discovery owning member of the journalistic establishment we felt that this honour should be bestowed on James with immediate effect, although there will be an official presentation of a certificate at some time in the future. The appointment lasts for five years. James recently took delivery of a MY 2000 Td5 ES automatic, VRN V 952 LOB. It now has a triangular club sticker in the window … so watch out for it and don't forget to wave Letter From Australia: Michael Day RE: Discovery 200TDI unable to select low range. I have recently come across a problem with my 200TDI. Whilst out four wheel driving I had a problem where the low range selection kept “dropping out”. After return to “normal” road driving and a driveway test to see if the problem still persisted, I found that I was unable to select low range. Having whipped myself up into a panic, as I am financially unable to take the vehicle into a workshop to repair the problem, I purchased a copy of a workshop manual. Unable to find out where the problem laid, I decided to start pulling things apart to find the problem. After removing the centre console and the 30 or so screws that seal the base of the gear sticks to the floor pan, I noticed that the high / low range selector lever was moving freely and that there was not any adjustment on it as was suggested to me by a mate. I then removed the “high / low cross shaft housing” assembly and low and behold there was the problem: The grub screw that fastened the selector to the selector shaft had loosened enabling the selector to spin on the shaft. Luckily the grub screw was still in place and hadn’t fallen through into the transfer box proper. Easily fixed with the application of some LOCKTITE and a paper gasket costing 80 cents


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Australian. The whole lot was put back together ( in about half the time it took to take apart) and hasn’t given me a problem since. Hope that this helps someone, who, like myself prefers to work on their own vehicle where they can. At AU $45.00 per hour for labour that’s a saving of about AU $180.00 Considering that Diesel is about AU 90 cents a litre that’s about 200 litres of the liquid gold and by my calculations about 2000 km of driving fun! [Difficulty in selecting low range or diff lock is often caused by the loosening of this grub screw. If you're experiencing this problem check it out before letting your friendly (?) dealer loose with your wallet - Ed] Product Reviews: Stefan Tapp D & E Design Wood Look Kit After looking around for a wood dash kit for the Discovery, I saw an advert in LROI magazine for a company called D&E Design showing a very nice picture of a wood kit. It was the first I'd

seen which included the gear lever surround area. I rang and enquired about the price, £175 inc. VAT & Delivery, much better than the ridiculous sum that Land Rover want for the remainder of the wood that in my opinion should have been standard on the ES at least!! The kit arrived next day and turned out to be 19 pieces in total! Application was simple, a quick wipe over areas on the dash/console with the supplied cleaner and then a 2nd quick wipe over with the supplied primer sponge. Dead easy and

the results are very good as you can see from the pictures. The only tricky bit turned out to be the existing wood around the heater dials, I originally stuck new over old, but due to the fact that the colours are different, and that the new piece doesn't quite cover the area around the aircon buttons, I had to remove the old wood piece but it lifted the clear plastic around the dials, resulting in a slight colour mismatch. Hardly noticeable from inside, unless you really look!

All in all, an excellent product, with a beautiful deep shine. You just cannot tell it from real wood.


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AutoGlym Hydra Flexi Blade I saw an review for this one in AutoExpress and thought I'd give it a try. Wow! You wouldn't believe how much time this thing saves! Just wash your Discovery, then wipe down the bodywork and glass with this rubber blade, it removes water so well that the paint is left dry with no water marks or smears. When it comes to the body moulding along the doors, you just hold your fingers on the blade on either side of the trim and squeegee as normal. The blade is made from very flexible rubber and doesn't scratch the paint whatsoever. It's even easier now cleaning the roof, as the blade is like an extension of your arm. This is the best £12 cleaning product around and you should be able to get it from most car accessory shops, such as Les Smith, but Halfords, although they stock AutoGlym, don't seem to have this in stock. Shame on them. Oh, and if anyone from AutoGlym should read this, the professional looking photo is available for your use at a 'small' fee! How to Change the Oil in Your Discovery: Anon Women • Pull in to Kwik-Fit when the mileage reaches 3,000 since the last oil change. • Drink a cup of coffee. • Fifteen minutes later, pay £30 and leave with a properly maintained Discovery. Men • Go to Halfords and pay £30 for oil, filter, hand cleaner, scented tree air freshener, and

numerous other items you realise you need. • Discover that your used oil collection container is full; take it to the recycling centre. • Spend 20 minutes trying to locate your floor jack and jack stands; no luck. • Have a beer; you don't really need to jack up the vehicle anyway. • Place used oil collection container under the engine. • Pull out socket spanner and socket; the 5th one you try is finally the correct size. • Unscrew oil drain plug. • Drop drain plug in oil; splashing hot oil all over you (and the garage floor) in the process. • Wipe off face with dirty rag and sprinkle kitty litter on garage floor where oil splashed. • Have another beer while oil is draining. • Spend 15 minutes looking for oil filter spanner; no luck. • Poke oil filter with a Phillips screwdriver and twist it off. • Wipe oil off of your arm with same dirty rag used before; sprinkle more kitty litter on floor. • Mate shows up; finish off 6-pack with him. Screw the oil change; finish it tomorrow! • Next day, drag full oil collection container out from underneath the vehicle. • Sprinkle more kitty litter on oil spilled during previous step. • Have a . . . wait, no beer left, drank it all yesterday. • Walk 2 miles to off-license; buy more beer. • Apply a thin coat of clean oil to gasket and install new oil filter. • Dump first litre of fresh oil into engine. • Remember drain plug removed yesterday!


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• Scramble to find drain plug in oil collection container. • Hurry to replace drain plug before entire litre of fresh oil drains all over floor. • Slip with spanner and bang knuckles on chassis; band head on garage floor in reaction. • Begin cussing fit and throw spanner across garage. • Clean up and apply Band-Aid to knuckles. • Sprinkle kitty litter on one entire litre of fresh oil now pooled under the Discovery. • Have another beer. • Pour remainder of oil into engine. • Realise that while you were under the vehicle, it would have been a good time to grease

everything, bleed the brakes, replace those rusted body spacers, and find out where that hideous clanking noise is coming from.

• Drive back to Halfords and buy another £150 worth of parts that either won't fit, will break when you try to install them, or will be saved for a later project (all of which will have long been misplaced by the time you are ready to start subject project).

• Drive Discovery (1-litre low of oil) for 7,000 miles; then return to beginning. Stupid Notices: Anon Just some less than obvious notices seen around -

1 Child’s Push Chair Label Warning: remove child before folding 2 Reflexology Clinic We unblock your constipation with our fingers 3 Quicksand Danger Any person passing this point will be drowned by order of

the council 4 Repair Shop We repair anything – please knock hard (bell not working) 5 Dry Cleaners We do not tear your clothes with machinery – we do it

carefully by hand 6 Town Hall The town hall is closed until opening it will remain closed

after opening. Open tomorrow 7 Asian Taxi Safety first: please put on your seat belt and prepare for

accident 8 Countryside When you can’t see this sign the river is under water 9 Second Hand Shop We exchange anything – bicycles, washing machines, etc.

why not bring your wife along and get a great bargain 10 Education If you cannot read this, the leaflet will tell you how to get

lessons 11 US Post Office This door is not to be used as an entrance or exit 12 Korean Kitchen Knife Please keep out of children 13 Condom Packet Do not drive whilst using this product 14 Factory Warning Would the person who took the step ladder yesterday please

return it or further steps will be taken 15 Kitchen Sale Mixing bowl set, designed to please cook with round bottom

for efficient beating 16 Safari Park Elephants please stay in your cars 17 Canteen After use, will staff please empty the teapot and stand upside

down on the draining board


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Recommended Service Garages: Members have recommended these garages for a variety of reasons. The main comment that came across in compiling the list is that they don't rip you off - what better recommendation is there?

Company Name Address / Location Contact Tel. No. John Hathaway Garage Services

Pilning, Bristol John Hathaway 01454 632832

Brookfields Chipping Barnet, N. London 020 8441 6420 Clatchard 4x4 Newburgh, Fife Chris 01337 840457 Stonelake (1) Wakefield, Yorks 01924 242422 Midgley Motors Skipton, Yorks 01756 797652 John Meakin Shrewsbury area 01939 220346

0802 654555 Richards 4x4 Crick near Chepstow Richard Hopkins 01291 422295 Mark Smith Land Rover

Unit 2A, Wedgwood Road, Bicester, Oxon, OX26 4UL

01869 242442

Brookfields Independant Land Rover specialist

Victoria Lane, Barnet, Herts, EN5 5UN

Steve and Ali 0208 441 6420

Clive Small Land Rover specialist

Tamworth, Staffordshire CLIVE SMALL 01827 311107

AJS 4x4 Kingswood Knoll, Tadworth, Surrey.

Wicken 4 wheel drive Wicken, Cambs. BG Land Rovers Hillcrest Works, Crockers Ash,

Ross on Wye, Herefordshire

Park Garage Services Unit 1, Station Road Ind. Estate, Elmswell, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP30 9HD

Chris & Will 01359 242479

Mansfield Motors Unit 1, Station Rd, Causeway End Ind. Est., Lawford, Essex. CO11 2LL

Duncan Mansfield 01206 39 66 44

AJS 4x4 Kingswood Knoll, Brighton Rd, Lower Kingswood, Tadworth, Surrey. KT20 6XN

Andy Sargent 01737 246 073

Wicken 4 Wheel Drive 7 Lower Rd, Wicken Ely, Cambridgeshire. CB7 5YB

Peter Rash 01353 722 434

Clatchard 4x4 Cupar Road, Newburgh, Fife, Scotland

01337 840457

SHB 4 x 4 Queensferry, North Wales Alan Danson AMR Autos Land Rover

Great Ayton (near Middlesbrough) Andrew 01642 723140

The Man for Land Rovers

East Hoathly, East Sussex Andrew or Stuart 01825 841148

Land Rover Centre Huddersfield Colin (parts) or Steve (service)

01484 542902 or 01484 547817

Gateway Land Rover Newport (Gwent), Ripon Land Rover Chris Powell or Ray

Jackson 01765 646464

Jordens Motors Little Staughton, Beds 01234 376636

If you have a garage that you want to recommend then please send the details to the editor. We'll re-print the list every other edition of Discourse (space permitting).


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Events List: September 29th and 30th All makes 4x4 driving day (Dalton Barracks, Abingdon,Oxon.) Contact Garry Tredwell (01235 520240) for details October 7th Green laning day (Salisbury Plain, Wilts) Limited to 20 vehicles Contact Steve Goodfellow (0117 904 2526) for details Events Still To Be Finalised Treasure Hunt (Cotswolds Hills) Details are still not available. But look out for sometime in Feb/March 2002 Ridgeway Weekend Starting either at the northern or southern end of the Ridgeway (depending on where you feel like starting) and driving the complete length of this ancient road over a weekend with a mass camping rally on the Saturday night somewhere in the middle. Huge BBQ and lots of chat. Organisation is progressing with dates in April/May 2002 most likely. Now don't be shy ... come along to these events even if it's only to say hello. Call the contact named above to get all the details. If you want to organise an event yourself - and volunteers are always welcome - then give Toni Armitage a call and discuss it with her. Remember this is YOUR club and it's up to the members to decide what they want to do ... and then do it!. Yahoo! Club List: This is an Internet chat room area where members can ask questions, raise topics and generally communicate with each other. If you want to be registered as a member of the list then please email Andy Smith on [email protected] with your name and membership number and he'll sort it out for you. Club Internet Web Site: The URL for the club web site is www.discoveryownersclub.com. The site is still developing and those of you with Internet access are asked to keep an eye on it and pass on suggestions, comments and details of any technical problems or suggestions to Andy Smith at [email protected]. Back Issues Of Discourse: Members can get back issues of the club newsletter in three ways. 1. download them from the Yahoo! club site 2. order printed copies at £2.00 each plus an A4 sae with 33p stamp 3. order them on a CD-ROM which covers all issues to date for £2.00 (incl. postage) Send cheques for 2 and 3 above made payable to "Discovery Owners Club" to Steve Goodfellow (address on Page 3)


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The Club Shop: We have stocks of sweat shirts, pole shirts and baseball caps plus window stickers and lots of other goodies. For full details contact Gerry Summerfield on 01446 737470 during work hours. Regional Meets: Sussex Area Location : The Sportsman PH, Rackham Road, Amberley, W. Sussex When : 3rd Wednesday of each month Time : from 8 p.m. onwards Contact : Grant Jobson (01903 531425) West Of England Area Location ; The Wheatsheaf PH, High Street, Winterbourne, S. Gloucs. When : Last Friday of each month Time : from 8 p.m. onwards Contact : Steve Goodfellow (0117 904 2526) Northampton Area Location : Billing Quays, Northampton (near Billing Aquadrome). When : First Thursday of each month Time : 7.30 onwards Contact : Neil Brownlee (07768 366157) Kent Area Location : Can somebody please let me know where? When : When?? Time : And at what time??? Contact : Damian Bunn (01474 834258) Berkshire Area: Location : Langdale Hall Inn, Worlds End, Beedon, Newbury When : Third Wednesday Time : 7.30 onwards Contact : Garry Tredwell (01235 520240 or 07802 495658 ) If there are any other regular gatherings that are not listed here then please let me know - Ed. DOCNotes: Some time ago it became apparent that members who weren't connected via email might be missing out on opportunities to become involved in club activities. Those who do have an email address can join the Yahoo! club or, if they prefer not to, get an email update from John Capewell a couple of time each month - DOCStuff. In order to level the playing field, so to speak, we have introduced a new service to non-email members in the form of a monthly news update called "DOCNotes". This is a single sheet of A4, printed on both sides, with the contents of John's DOCStuff plus (if there's any space) some snippets from the Yahoo! club discussions. The idea is to send these out at the end of those months where we don't publish Discourse - and so far there have been two (July and August). If there are any members out there that are not connected via email that haven't received DOCNotes then please contact Steve Goodfellow who will add you to the list. The ball is in your court!


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More Pictures: And finally … some more pictures to finish off this edition.

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