Rear air suspension springs and compressor
The rear air springs perish at the crease and leak, which overworks the compressor until it fails. Compressors also fail from water ingress when the filter is not changed on schedule.
Discovery · Series II (L318) · 1999–2004
Discovery 2 parts and spares
The second-generation Discovery, sold in South Africa with the Td5 turbodiesel and a petrol V8, many with rear air suspension.
Discovery 2 parts by system
Each system page explains what is specific to the Discovery 2 before you narrow down to the part.
Discovery 2 engine parts 1 known issue in this system
Discovery 2 brakes
Discovery 2 suspension 1 known issue in this system
Discovery 2 air suspension 1 known issue in this system
Discovery 2 electrical 1 known issue in this system
Discovery 2 lighting
Discovery 2 exhaust
Discovery 2 transmission
Discovery 2 cooling
Discovery 2 fuel system 2 known issues in this system
Discovery 2 body parts
Discovery 2 interior
Parts commonly needed for the Discovery 2
Discovery 2 orders are dominated by suspension: rear air springs and compressors, or coil conversion parts, plus front springs, shocks, bushes and swivel components. Td5 engine parts, including injector looms, fuel pressure regulators, head gaskets and cylinder heads, follow close behind. In-tank fuel pumps, cooling system hoses and radiators are common needs on high-mileage vehicles in hot inland climates. Confirm Td5 or V8, and air or coil rear suspension, when you ask for a quote. Many owners also convert failed rear air suspension to coil springs, which needs a matching set of springs, shocks and fitting parts rather than a single component, so tell us which way you want to go.
About the Discovery 2
The Discovery 2 is the last of the separate-chassis, beam-axle Discoverys, and it still appeals to South African overlanders who want a seven-seat vehicle that can be repaired in a small town. Local examples are mostly the Td5 turbodiesel, in GS and ES trims with manual or automatic gearboxes, with a smaller number of V8 petrol automatics. The Td5 shares its engine with the classic Defender of the same era, which helps parts availability, but the Discovery adds systems the Defender never had: many vehicles have rear air springs with a compressor, and the more expensive versions carry extra electronics. Most Discovery 2s on the road today have covered well over 250,000km, so parts buying tends to be about ageing rubber, leaking seals and worn suspension rather than a single failure. The front coil springs have a known habit of snapping, the Td5 engine has its well-documented head, loom and fuel regulator weak points, and the in-tank fuel pump is a common cause of poor starting. When ordering, tell us whether your vehicle has rear air suspension or coil springs, whether it is a Td5 or a V8, and give us the VIN, because the Discovery 2 received running changes during production.
Discovery 2 engines
Engine parts are rarely shared between these units, so quote the engine code or number with every engine-related enquiry.
| Engine | Code / family | Fuel |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 Td5 five-cylinder turbodiesel | Td5 | Diesel |
| V8 petrol | — | Petrol |
Known Discovery 2 problems
The faults owners and specialists report most often on this generation, and where to look for the parts involved.
Td5 fuel pressure regulator leaking diesel
A diesel leak from the regulator at the rear of the cylinder head runs down the engine and looks like an oil leak. Poor original design means the unit is replaced with a new metal gasket.
Oil in the injector wiring loom
Oil entering the Td5 injector loom can seep as far as the engine ECU and cause erratic running and engine management faults.
Td5 head gasket failure from plastic dowels
Early Td5 engines locate the head with plastic dowels that can break, letting the head move and the gasket fail. The repair uses metal dowels and new head bolts.
In-tank diesel fuel pump failure
Poor starting, poor performance or a noisy pump point to the in-tank pump. Diagnosis needs a fuel pressure test, not just a flow check.
Broken front coil springs
Front road springs are known to snap, most often on the left-hand side. Replacing both springs and shocks together is recommended so the handling stays even.
Keeping a Discovery 2 running
Discovery 2 ownership is mostly about ageing systems. Change the air suspension compressor filter on schedule, and inspect the rear air springs for perished rubber at the crease. On the Td5, watch for diesel leaking from the fuel pressure regulator, oil in the injector wiring loom, and a rising dipstick level, which can mean diesel entering the sump. Front coil springs are known to snap, so replace them in pairs. Poor starting on a diesel may point to the in-tank fuel pump.
Discovery 2 questions
Should I convert my Discovery 2 rear air suspension to coil springs?
Some owners do, because coil springs remove the compressor and air springs from the list of things that can fail. If you prefer to keep the air suspension, replacing both rear air springs and checking the compressor and its filter usually restores it. Tell us which route you want and we will quote the matching parts.
Why is the oil level rising on my Discovery 2 Td5?
A rising dipstick level on a Td5 can mean diesel is getting into the sump, through leaking injector washers or, less often, a cracked fuel rail in the cylinder head. Stop driving and have it checked, because diesel-diluted oil can cause the engine to run on uncontrollably or fail.
Need a part for your Discovery 2?
Send the part name, your VIN and engine number. The SparesBoyz parts team checks fitment for your Series II (L318) before quoting.