Defender County 300TDi

Hi,

Didn't feel the need to put a thread up in the New Members section. I thought this could double up as an introductory post.
I'm Sam, 22 from South Wales. I've always had lightly modified cars. My last car was an '08 Mondeo, it was lowered, running a stainless exhaust with a decat and EGR delete with a remap. The little 1.8TDCi pushed from 125bhp/320nm to 146bhp/396nm. It was a fantastic motorway muncher with the amount of torque it had and it was very very good on fuel too. A run to Belgium and back returned me nearly 70mpg!
Unfortunately when replacing the flywheel at 150k it became apparent that whoever replaced it last cross threaded 3 bolts and the car was going to need a new crank for a reliable repair.
I ended up selling the car spares or repair and purchasing a brand new Ford Focus (which has been a nightmare, but that's another story) which means I can't work on it or modify it.

My Dad therefore decided now I can't work on my car or modify it I needed something else to play with. So he bought us a Defender.

It's a '97 90" Defender County with the later 300TDi.






Few issues already picked on.
First is the fact the radio doesn't work. I need to investigate that.

Second, it seems the rocker cover gasket has a bit of a weep.


Third, breather hoses are covered in oil.


There also seems to be something missing on the center console?


My Father said he'd like to have a rev counter. I'm unsure how to go about that at the moment, mainly the placement. Has anyone else here fitted one?
I am considering getting a 52mm rev counter and replacing the clock.

Other than that for now it will be getting a full service including belts, a bit of tidying up and modernisation.
I think I will remove the inlet to give it a good clean including intake ports and blank off the EGR.
I'll probably remove the cat and give it a very gentle tune too.

I'm planning on using it to pull a caravan once my partner and I buy one next year.
Once my Father is totally bored of it I will probably look at changing the 300TDi lump for something petrol powered with a gas conversion.

Sam.

hi, looks very smart and amazingly low miles.

How do you open the rear door with the numberplate like that?!

That big plastic thing that you said is missing doesn't connect to anything in mine either, the EGR controller is also connected up there too.

I have seen rev counters fitted before, where the clock goes. I think you can take the feed off one of the unused connectors on the alternator (but read up on it first, do a search). I want to do it, but haven't found the time.

Rocker cover gaskets always leak, I have replaced mine and they still haven't stopped. As for the other leak, check that the fuel return pipes aren't leaking, as that was where it was coming from on mine. It starts a lot better after standing now.

I wouldn't change the engine, it will be worth a lot more in a few years if you don't. Do a search for tuning on here, I think the post is "sluggish disco, not anymore" or something like that. That goes through tweaking the injection pump to get some more power.

james6546 said:

hi, looks very smart and amazingly low miles.

How do you open the rear door with the numberplate like that?!

That big plastic thing that you said is missing doesn't connect to anything in mine either, the EGR controller is also connected up there too.

I have seen rev counters fitted before, where the clock goes. I think you can take the feed off one of the unused connectors on the alternator (but read up on it first, do a search). I want to do it, but haven't found the time.

Rocker cover gaskets always leak, I have replaced mine and they still haven't stopped. As for the other leak, check that the fuel return pipes aren't leaking, as that was where it was coming from on mine. It starts a lot better after standing now.

I wouldn't change the engine, it will be worth a lot more in a few years if you don't. Do a search for tuning on here, I think the post is "sluggish disco, not anymore" or something like that. That goes through tweaking the injection pump to get some more power.

Click to expand...

I am very suprised with how clean it is. The numberplate is only temporary. The auction company did it so it could be driven home. We will get a new one made up in due course. However we have cut it so the rear hatch can be opened.
My Father picked it up from Yorkshire and it drove the 280miles home absolutely fine with no real dramas.

I have had a nose at a few guides for fitting an rev counter and it all seems very straight forward really. Going to have to see if I can get a cheap gauge from somewhere as the cost of the VDO ones are a bit too much.
Maybe I'll look into replacing all of them so they all match.

I did wonder if it was the return pipes weeping. I had to buy a set for an old Peugeot 406 1.9TD I had and I think the set was £1.50 so I think I'll replace them as a matter of precaution.

Bailes1992 said:

I am very suprised with how clean it is. The numberplate is only temporary. The auction company did it so it could be driven home. We will get a new one made up in due course. However we have cut it so the rear hatch can be opened.
My Father picked it up from Yorkshire and it drove the 280miles home absolutely fine with no real dramas.

I have had a nose at a few guides for fitting an rev counter and it all seems very straight forward really. Going to have to see if I can get a cheap gauge from somewhere as the cost of the VDO ones are a bit too much.
Maybe I'll look into replacing all of them so they all match.

I did wonder if it was the return pipes weeping. I had to buy a set for an old Peugeot 406 1.9TD I had and I think the set was £1.50 so I think I'll replace them as a matter of precaution.

Click to expand...

I think I just bought some braided pipe the same diameter, didn't cost much more than that. I had some fun getting the old ones off though...

Yeah, the VDO gauges are a lot, from memory there is a Land Rover one that will fit, but can't remember which it was.

Congrats on your Landy....looks awesome.