LR Discovery History

The Land Rover Discovery was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1989, and marked a major departure from previous Land Rover vehicles by targeting the passenger and family 4x4 market. Which for those of you who have ever been in a series i, ii or iii will understand very quickly.lol

Although this market barely existed when the Discovery was designed, the timing was perfect for the British market which quickly took to the new vehicle.

Unlike Land Rover's previous products, the Discovery was capable of competing against the family car, boasting a comfortable ride and an interior designed by Sir Terrence Conran. It could also compete in terms of power and performance with the now-famous Rover 3.5l V8. For a diesel option, the 200TDi direct-injection turbo diesel engine was introduced. This boasted impressive economy (in its day, which by todays standards is fair at approximately 30mpg), and best-in-class performance, although it was slightly noisier than diesels in competing vehicles. But still less than a defender.

Even though it was aimed at an essentially family market, the Discovery still boasted the best-in-class off road ability that the Land Rover has come to symbolise. As well as powerful engine options, a transfer case and locking centre differential were fitted. The 100" wheelbase chassis was fitted with coil spring suspension. Its the coil springs that allowed for this offroad capability development.

Probably the oddest feature of the first Discoveries was that they only came in a 3-door version! Very strange for what was marketed as a durable large family vehicle. The Range Rover was also initially built with only 3 doors. In that case, it was because of concerns about the rigidity of the body whilst driving off-road. This might have been the reason for the Discovery's 3-door design, but within a year the very popular 5-door version was introduced.

The success of the Discovery was ensured by the combination of an essentially new market, the 5-door model, and continued up-market shifting of the Range Rover. Further variations and updates were fitted during the early 1990s, including a 2 litre 4 cylinder petrol engine, known for being a bit underpowered but ok as long as you don't need to get to anywhere very quickly. A 4-speed automatic gearbox, and air-bags where introduced throughout the 90's up to the Discovery 2 in 98' (normally known as the td5).

How to (Make Biodiesel Part 1)

Biodiesel is a fuel made mainly from vegetable oils, either new oil or waste oil (like the oil from a chip shop). The production process is called transesterification, and requires mixing some choice chemicals into the oil, heat, wash and use.

The fuel is completely biodegradable, non-carcinogenic, non-mutagenic, non-allergenic and less toxic than table salt. Although some of the chemicals needed for production can cause harm if not handled correctly.

Most diesel engines will run on this fuel in either a mixture of biodiesel and diesel or straight biodiesel. The biodiesel content is generally categorised as B'X' where 'X' is the percentage of biodiesel mix. A normal pump at the forecourt will probably be around 5% Biofuel already (B5), and some manufactures advice against a mixture of more than B30 (the land rover td5 for example due to specific issues with some components).

Older engines, like the land rover discovery 300 tdi engine will run without ANY modification. Other engine types with particular fuel pumps may need to have it changed, other vehicles may need to have any natural rubber components in the fuel supply system changed but, as a general rule, any 89' to 98' engine is ok, and should run on B100 (100% biodiesel).

Due to the fact that the biodiesel will clean the fuel system of waxes and gums left behind by previous diesel use, including unblocking injectors, all this rubbish will be deposited in the fuel filter and sedometer which may need to be changed after a few hundred miles (usually 600 or so). This will probably show itself as an experience of power loss.

Biodiesel contains almost as much energy as its fossil counterpart but, due to higher burning efficiency (certain number) and lubricity, no fall-off of performance should be noticed by the user. What will be noticed is a reduction in black smoke emissions – much of the carbon particulate matter is burnt by the oxygenated fuel.

Biodiesel costs 2 to 3 times as much to make as it costs to produce fossil diesel. This is the reason why the British Government has agreed to reduce the fuel duty rate, so that the use of an environmentally friendly fuel may be promoted. Having said that, you should be able to purchase licenced fuel for about £1.15 per litre or produce it yourself for about £0.15 to £1.25 per litre (depending on your options and sources). Either way - you will save on fuel costs instantly.

Currently, each person can produce up to 2,500 lit of biodiesel for personal use. Unfortunately, this allowance can not be transferred to others. i.e - you can't make it for your next door neighbour.

Look out for Part 2.