Defender 110 CSW TD5 failed sniff test

Afternoon all,

I'm the new owner of a Defender 110 CSW TD5. Unfortunately - albeit typically - I'm experiencing some problems and I'd thoroughly appreciate some help.

After receiving the car I soon noticed the overflow tank bubbling after any extended drive. This came to a head after a short stint on the A road, when it boiled over and started steaming out.

I pulled over and most of the coolant had been dumped. I topped it up and crawled home, fortunately with no issues. This happened once more.

So as a cheap first step I replaced the thermostat and overflow cap. I've took it easy since and no steam so far, however, the coolant is heating up very quickly and bubbling after a short drive.

Fearing the worst I did a sniff test (Reld) and it failed almost instantly.

So, I'm prepared to change the gasket and inspect the head myself. However, I'd like to rule out any other possibility whilst I'm there.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

I am not a Td5 owner but do know head gasket fail is common enough. Also check oil for milky deposits [ coolant ] and steamy exhaust another symptom that can happen. What year is yours?

I'll check the oil cheers. No issues with exhaust as of yet.

Worth mentioning - I also checked the coolant for oil and I couldn't see any.

It's a 2000.

Google td5 plastic cylinder head dowels.

lynall said:

Google td5 plastic cylinder head dowels.

Click to expand...

I came across this issue in my searches. Though I appreciate the input regardless. Thank you.

I was planning on replacing the plastic dowels with the steel dowels when changing the gasket.

I'm just trying to cancel out it being anything other than the head/head gasket before getting started. To be frank, my knowledge of cars - particularly engines - is limited.

OK, but help will be at hand here, get a paper or down load manual.

versteckt said:

I came across this issue in my searches. Though I appreciate the input regardless. Thank you.

I was planning on replacing the plastic dowels with the steel dowels when changing the gasket.

I'm just trying to cancel out it being anything other than the head/head gasket before getting started. To be frank, my knowledge of cars - particularly engines - is limited.

Click to expand...

Early td5 is going to be head gasket.
They like them as much as the 200 and 300 do.

Early td5 heads were known for cracking around the exhaust ports, leading to pressuring the coolant and blowing water out the overflow on the expansion tank when pushed
Once head is off, have it checked for cracks before re fitting

Quick update.

Attempting to do this myself with some new tools and naive optimism.

Gave up today from fear of breaking something.

I'm up to disconnecting the fuel cooler and struggling to disconnect the hose shown in the picture (black cap).

Any help appreciated!

Cheers.

versteckt said:

Quick update.

Attempting to do this myself with some new tools and naive optimism.

Gave up today from fear of breaking something.

I'm up to disconnecting the fuel cooler and struggling to disconnect the hose shown in the picture (black cap).

Any help appreciated!

Cheers.

View attachment 323758

Click to expand...

Had a late night epiphany. Fuel cooler is off!

Hi from Australia. Doing the same job right now and also stuck on the fuel cooler. What was your epiphany?

If you're stuck on the same hose - push the black cap towards the hose, ie. away from the cooler and towards the fuel regulator.

It made an audible click and pulled straight off.