Replacing plugs & wires - need advice

[tjbanholzer]

Hey all,

I have a 2000 Disco and codes say two of the wires are bad - so I'm going to replace all of them and the plugs (haven't done this in the two years I've owned it) - she's got 56k on her.

It looks like a tough job to get behind the motor to replace these wires. Any tips on doing this?? Also when I order replacement wires, there is mention of removing the plenum intake and needing to replace the gasket - in order to get to the distributor I assume. I'm sure some of you have done this - is it such a pain that I should have my mechanic do it?

Thanks, TJ
2000 Disco II
Java Black

 

[Moose]

Hey all,

I have a 2000 Disco and codes say two of the wires are bad - so I'm going to replace all of them and the plugs (haven't done this in the two years I've owned it) - she's got 56k on her.

It looks like a tough job to get behind the motor to replace these wires. Any tips on doing this?? Also when I order replacement wires, there is mention of removing the plenum intake and needing to replace the gasket - in order to get to the distributor I assume. I'm sure some of you have done this - is it such a pain that I should have my mechanic do it?

Thanks, TJ
2000 Disco II
Java Black

Just did it on my 96. Get as much of the air intake / MAF / plenum off and/or away from the plugs as possible, use a spark plug-sized socket (13/16?) with an extension, and get to it. It's not so difficult as to make it worth $100 in labor.

Also, there is no distributor on your truck -- and I'm not sure what gasket there is that is affected by the plug wires. Just make sure you replace them one at a time (remove one, replace it, then remove the next and so on) and disconnect the negative battery cable. I got a wicked shock because I overlooked this step. :

 

[tjbanholzer]

Thanks a ton for the tips - particulalry on disconnecting the negative lead - I would not have thought to do this.

Interesting on the distributor - I can't see where the bundle of wires go behind the motor - I was assuming a distributor cap was hiding back there... I learn something more about this vehicle every day.

I'll take your advice and try it myself. LR was tryign to charge me $90 USD to replace only two wires. I figured I can do all the wires and the plugs myself for just over $100.

TJ

 

[Moose]

96 and newer are distributorless ignition -- I am pretty sure it's called GEMS for all models including DIIs. It's nice not to worry about the dizzy but getting it to start after getting the engine wet is not as easy as drying the distributor and firing it up. Just make sure the each of the new wires goes in the same spots as the old ones...

 

[roverX]

I think the D2 wires are a lot harder to replace than the D1 wires. I have a 96 D1, hella easy to replace the wires. Friend of mine was an underwriter for LR and said he had a hell of a time replacing the wires on his D2. Said he had to take a bunch of stuff off in order to get to them. I will call him this weekend and see if he can give me the skinny.

 

[tjbanholzer]

Thanks for looking into this. Hopefully he will say it was a pain in the tail...but doable. I can't imagine having to take it to a shop just to change my wires. Let me know what you find out.

Thanks!!!

 

[rovergal]

Do you have a diagram we have done a replacment on the spark plug wires but believe we have one or two wrong because its such a tight area to work around the coil on a disc II 2000