1998 Land Rover 300 TDI - Rumbles and squeaks / screeches

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LUGGER

New Member
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5
Location
Dorset
115,000 miles approx, original engine and gearbox etc

Went for some long jaunts over the Christmas and new year period covering approx 1000 miles. Put 'Lugger' through his paces on motorways and a bit of green lane bits (nothing severe just country roads with a bit of mud and steep hills etc) and also loaded him up with a full cab of people for local trips out. Nothing silly and well within what I consider to be ok for a vehicle of this type (keep in mind this is my first Landy!)

This week I noticed that there was a couple of worrying noises and vibrations, wondering what bad news might be heading my way...

I have noticed a very strong vibration, a low deep rumble, low gears high revs and high gears low revs, gets worse when under-load, so going up hill etc. There is also a high pitch squeal that is also related to engine revs, the higher the revs and load the more intense the squeal. The squeal sounds like a dry bearing or the same noise you get from a dodgy fan belt. There is a lack of power when applying throttle put does pick up.

The sounds do not appear when it free wheels, so travelling at speed out of gear, which makes me think that it is more transmission based. I don't know wether I'm also now imagining that the clutch pedal feels stiffer and the gear changes feel more cumbersome and clunky.

Also maybe unrelated the steering goes very heavy occasionally, mostly when moving slowly, say to turn around.

Have also noted that the coolant level is dropping, again maybe unrelated but thought Id mention it

Any thought would be really helpful.... im sat down in preparation for bad news!
 
hard to know where to start - Until you mentioned the coolant loss first job was going to be a major service all fluids and grease points done properly ...

Coolant loss is first port of call now - how much do you know about LR mechanicals ?
 
Anything will be guess work and worry you into thinking you’ve got to shed out a load of money. Get it in the air, start at one end and finish at the other checking everything as you go. You’ll just worry “what if...what if...” until you can actually diagnose and resolve
 
LUGGER said:
115,000 miles approx, original engine and gearbox etc

Went for some long jaunts over the Christmas and new year period covering approx 1000 miles. Put 'Lugger' through his paces on motorways and a bit of green lane bits (nothing severe just country roads with a bit of mud and steep hills etc) and also loaded him up with a full cab of people for local trips out. Nothing silly and well within what I consider to be ok for a vehicle of this type (keep in mind this is my first Landy!)

This week I noticed that there was a couple of worrying noises and vibrations, wondering what bad news might be heading my way...

I have noticed a very strong vibration, a low deep rumble, low gears high revs and high gears low revs, gets worse when under-load, so going up hill etc. There is also a high pitch squeal that is also related to engine revs, the higher the revs and load the more intense the squeal. The squeal sounds like a dry bearing or the same noise you get from a dodgy fan belt. There is a lack of power when applying throttle put does pick up.

The sounds do not appear when it free wheels, so travelling at speed out of gear, which makes me think that it is more transmission based. I don't know wether I'm also now imagining that the clutch pedal feels stiffer and the gear changes feel more cumbersome and clunky.

Also maybe unrelated the steering goes very heavy occasionally, mostly when moving slowly, say to turn around.

Have also noted that the coolant level is dropping, again maybe unrelated but thought Id mention it

Any thought would be really helpful.... im sat down in preparation for bad news!
Click to expand...
Guessing the squeal might be a stone, or stones, trapped behind the brake disc shield.

TBH, most of that sounds like the normal experience of driving an old One Ten.
 
LUGGER said:
115,000 miles approx, original engine and gearbox etc

Went for some long jaunts over the Christmas and new year period covering approx 1000 miles. Put 'Lugger' through his paces on motorways and a bit of green lane bits (nothing severe just country roads with a bit of mud and steep hills etc) and also loaded him up with a full cab of people for local trips out. Nothing silly and well within what I consider to be ok for a vehicle of this type (keep in mind this is my first Landy!)

This week I noticed that there was a couple of worrying noises and vibrations, wondering what bad news might be heading my way...

I have noticed a very strong vibration, a low deep rumble, low gears high revs and high gears low revs, gets worse when under-load, so going up hill etc. There is also a high pitch squeal that is also related to engine revs, the higher the revs and load the more intense the squeal. The squeal sounds like a dry bearing or the same noise you get from a dodgy fan belt. There is a lack of power when applying throttle put does pick up.

The sounds do not appear when it free wheels, so travelling at speed out of gear, which makes me think that it is more transmission based. I don't know wether I'm also now imagining that the clutch pedal feels stiffer and the gear changes feel more cumbersome and clunky.

Also maybe unrelated the steering goes very heavy occasionally, mostly when moving slowly, say to turn around.

Have also noted that the coolant level is dropping, again maybe unrelated but thought Id mention it

Any thought would be really helpful.... im sat down in preparation for bad news!
Click to expand...

Is this a new vehicle to your ownership?
And if so, have you been right through it, checking all the levels in the various gearboxes, diffs, housings etc.
And do you know how much coolant was in it when you started, and how much has been lost during the 1000 miles?
These vehicles repay regular checks and top ups.
Provided you do that, you won't do much damage.
 
LUGGER said:
115,000 miles approx, original engine and gearbox etc

Went for some long jaunts over the Christmas and new year period covering approx 1000 miles. Put 'Lugger' through his paces on motorways and a bit of green lane bits (nothing severe just country roads with a bit of mud and steep hills etc) and also loaded him up with a full cab of people for local trips out. Nothing silly and well within what I consider to be ok for a vehicle of this type (keep in mind this is my first Landy!)

This week I noticed that there was a couple of worrying noises and vibrations, wondering what bad news might be heading my way...

I have noticed a very strong vibration, a low deep rumble, low gears high revs and high gears low revs, gets worse when under-load, so going up hill etc. There is also a high pitch squeal that is also related to engine revs, the higher the revs and load the more intense the squeal. The squeal sounds like a dry bearing or the same noise you get from a dodgy fan belt. There is a lack of power when applying throttle put does pick up.

The sounds do not appear when it free wheels, so travelling at speed out of gear, which makes me think that it is more transmission based. I don't know wether I'm also now imagining that the clutch pedal feels stiffer and the gear changes feel more cumbersome and clunky.

Also maybe unrelated the steering goes very heavy occasionally, mostly when moving slowly, say to turn around.

Have also noted that the coolant level is dropping, again maybe unrelated but thought Id mention it

Any thought would be really helpful.... im sat down in preparation for bad news!
Click to expand...
May be a few issues that need resolving, once you start listening/feeling for issues it’s amazing how many you find, some genuine, some paranoia! Rumble may be a UJ or dodgy engine/gearbox mount; coolant dropping is hopefully just an external leak - clean the engine bay and keep an eye out for any signs of leakage, check the oil for mayo. Check all oil levels before any more journeys, especially gearbox, but also diffs; transfer box and engine.
Good luck.
 
Lugger, as per the good advice above...start with the basics. When I buy a new car I blitz it to know exactly what I've bought + this enables you to really get to know your jalopy; foibles and all.

1. thoroughly clean the engine bay and underneath - if you've the facility a really good jetwash underneath...chassis, body suspension [or **** off your local jetwash centre, use their facility and leave the years of crud on their concrete slab :D]
2. change all fluids for good quality new fluids...one can never truly believe previous owner service history and with all fluids changed you're starting with a clean sheet of paper and the start of your own proper service history + it's amazing how much better these old girls drive with fresh fluids
3. filters...replace all with new
4. UJ's - clean and grease
5. suspension joints - clean, inspect, spray with GT85 and/or replace if shot

then, slowly work through any noises/faults - hopefully the coolant loss is just a leaky hose/loose hose clamp and you'll find this really quickly with a clean engine bay. then, enjoy your new toy...

ps the great thing with landies is that they're very easy to work on/fix + the knowledge from the friendly guys on this forum is superb!
 
IME -

Stanleysteamer said:
Idler
Click to expand...

#1 most likely noisy little g*t on a 300Tdi ^^^ even known to fall orft on occasion ( pretty massive problem if it does as you've no water pump drive:eek: !)

bluedog333 said:
water pump; alternator or PAS pump?
Click to expand...

Yep, :) to put 'em in order from my experience, .... Alt next, then WP, then PAS ..... and you both forgot the lovely little darling that is the exhauster :D - which loves to let the smoke out somewhere round the 80 - 100K miles
 
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