Member Since: 08 Jan 2011
Location: Chilterns
Posts: 4130
Should we off-road in a D3?
Its seems that TONG killed quite a few D3 components and that "Off-roading" in a D3 is a hazardous and quite probably very expensive business!
It would appear that this "Off-road" capable car is effected by:
1. EPB - starts screeching and needs cleaning after wading/off-roading through muddy pools.
2. Clutch may get coated in thick cement like mud after wading/off-roading through muddy pools.
3. Several deep scratched on my newly refurbished alloys.
4. Several long surface scratches on the Java paintwork.
5. Engine Bay and underside coated in thick brown crud.
6. Rear disc calliper piston appears to have seized since Tong.
I will do it again but this does not seem right and would this happen in a Defender?
21st Apr 2011 10:36 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73079
Have you looked underneath yet??
Click image to enlarge
21st Apr 2011 10:40 am
ad15
Member Since: 14 Dec 2008
Location: up that tree
Posts: 4866
MAN- UP one wife.......livid
21st Apr 2011 10:47 am
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
the D3 is the same as any car offroad - YOU NEED TO CLEAN IT AFTERWARDS
all components need hosing down. make sure you wash under the sills so the mud and clay doesnt corrode the aircon pipe, remove wheels and clean all suspension plus epb. hose intercooler through and flush through chassis rails and gearbox x-member
a good days offroading in mud should be followed by at least half a day cleaning if you want everything to work well and continue working well
forget the paintwork, its the bits you cant see that need cleaingDuncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
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D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
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D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
21st Apr 2011 10:53 am
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23823
With the possible exception of point 1, all those points could apply to any vehicle.
Of course there's a logical argument in only using "cheaper" vehicles for off roading. But the D3/4 is so brilliant off road it would be a great shame never to experience its capabilities.
You can help to prevent scratches by making sure that the paintwork is polished and waxed and the plastic trim has a protective coating. Take some cutters and shears etc. with you to cut back any foliage that could damage the vehicle.
Doing this, I have only minor surface scratches which I've repaired myself with polish and scratch remover. If you inspect the paintwork closely you'll see them, but I know that they could be professionally polished out if needs be.
Imo, the pleasure of driving the D3/4 off road more than compensates for the aggro of cleaning it before and after.
21st Apr 2011 10:59 am
Gazellio
Member Since: 08 Jan 2011
Location: Chilterns
Posts: 4130
OK points taken but its not easy cleaning underneath (properly) without ramps....
21st Apr 2011 11:18 am
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14385
Small children with a bucket and sponge?
21st Apr 2011 11:23 am
maplecottage
Member Since: 01 Feb 2011
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 3171
Moo wrote:
Small children with a bucket and sponge?
...........and grit
21st Apr 2011 11:25 am
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
get ones of those garden sprinkler things that hoze lock make :
these sort of things work very well if you have decent water pressure and they give the underside a real good soaking
stick it under the car and go and sit in the house with a few beers. Cleans most of the mud off etc.
just make sure you clean it as soon as you get home. once the clay/mud sets you have no chance of getting rid of it properly - best to do it whilst its still wet
re scratches - live with them then get it repsprayed
http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic23796.h...%2BresprayDuncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
I had to use a small wrecking bar and a hammer to get some of the crud off the underside of my old one after I let it dry. I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
21st Apr 2011 11:33 am
flydive
Member Since: 21 Aug 2007
Location: Lugano
Posts: 1535
Member Since: 04 Jul 2008
Location: In A World of My Own!
Posts: 2889
Or...
Get one of my pressure washer accessory kits, comes with a rather nifty set of angled adaptors to allow you to jet wash underneath whilst stood upright!
Must stop buying shiny toys....
21st Apr 2011 11:50 am
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
and that
although a good long soak works better and less chance of slicing through a Pipe or wires Duncan
-----------------------------------------------------
If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
21st Apr 2011 11:55 am
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23823
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