Depressing news from the garage - What to do?

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Chr1s

Well-Known Member
Posts
1,977
Well, after my fun with a runaway engine and subsequent full engine rebuild, it seems that my Landy woes are not over and I'm left feeling thoroughly depressed and unsure how to proceed :(

After reinstalling my rebuilt 300tdi, I noticed a quite major oil leak and had run out of time to address the problem myself, so dropped the Landy off at my local Landy garage for what I thought would be a couple of hours work. The result however, on top of a new clutch master cylinder, is this response:

"
1) As you are already aware, there is a significant oil leak trickling down the front face of the bellhousing when the engine is running. This could easily be from a poorly sealed sump pan-to-block joint, but I recall you saying that you have already removed the sump since the rebuild and re-sealed it a 2nd time. I therefore conclude that your own thoughts are correct, in that it’s probably the “T” seals leaking. In any event, the sump needs to be removed, so we’ll check that the sealer all looks intact when we do this.



2) There is also visible evidence of oil leaking from the timing case on the front of the engine, but by comparison this is slight.


3) Gearboxes – There is a significant oil leak from the main gearbox casing, it looks as though it’s from the joint where the extension casing joins the main casing. Repair would entail dismantling the main gearbox which is no mean undertaking and not one that we would undertake. We would despatch the gearbox to a specialist for this sort of work. One thing leads to another and if you opted for such a repair, it would be mad not to go for an overhaul of the gearbox whilst it’s in pieces.


4) There is also some leakage from the joint where the main and transfer gearboxes mate against eachother. Repair would entail splitting the two boxes and replacing the “back-to-back” seals which fit between the two.


5) It’s not drastic, but I note also that there is fluid leaking from a couple of the power steering pipes. Not bad at this time.


Aside from the leaks, a couple of other observations regarding MOT related issues…


1) The brake pipes across the rear axle are heavily corroded & need replacing.

2) The rear suspension radius/trailing arms, the chassis end bushes are heavily split/perished and are on the verge of disintegrating. Also the nearside bump stop has dropped off."

I'm now really not sure what to do. Do I cut my losses and sell the bloody thing, or suck it up and finish what I started?

Also, would anyone care to take a stab at estimating the cost for all this work? The gearbox overhaul is the part that worries me the most!


:(:(
 
sounds like a job for B & W?

If only I could get the parts in time and the knackered Landy to the show, I would be the most grateful LZ member this forum has ever seen!

Sadly, I think I'm stuck with paying the garage or selling it, but then there's the whole question of whether it would be best to fix it first anyway, and as I would only end up putting the money towards another Defender, the question really becomes one of whether I can afford to fix it! :(
 
If only I could get the parts in time and the knackered Landy to the show, I would be the most grateful LZ member this forum has ever seen!

Sadly, I think I'm stuck with paying the garage or selling it, but then there's the whole question of whether it would be best to fix it first anyway, and as I would only end up putting the money towards another Defender, the question really becomes one of whether I can afford to fix it! :(

Look for cheaper ways to do the job, could you get a good second hand box out of a crashed vehicle etc.
As James says the other stuff doesn't sound too desperate. You wont get great money selling it with the issues either.
 
Well, after my fun with a runaway engine and subsequent full engine rebuild, it seems that my Landy woes are not over and I'm left feeling thoroughly depressed and unsure how to proceed :(

After reinstalling my rebuilt 300tdi, I noticed a quite major oil leak and had run out of time to address the problem myself, so dropped the Landy off at my local Landy garage for what I thought would be a couple of hours work. The result however, on top of a new clutch master cylinder, is this response:

"
1) As you are already aware, there is a significant oil leak trickling down the front face of the bellhousing when the engine is running. This could easily be from a poorly sealed sump pan-to-block joint, but I recall you saying that you have already removed the sump since the rebuild and re-sealed it a 2nd time. I therefore conclude that your own thoughts are correct, in that it’s probably the “T” seals leaking. In any event, the sump needs to be removed, so we’ll check that the sealer all looks intact when we do this.
GET THE GARAGE TO DO THIS


2) There is also visible evidence of oil leaking from the timing case on the front of the engine, but by comparison this is slight.
LEAVE THIS FOR THE TIME

3) Gearboxes – There is a significant oil leak from the main gearbox casing, it looks as though it’s from the joint where the extension casing joins the main casing. Repair would entail dismantling the main gearbox which is no mean undertaking and not one that we would undertake. We would despatch the gearbox to a specialist for this sort of work. One thing leads to another and if you opted for such a repair, it would be mad not to go for an overhaul of the gearbox whilst it’s in pieces.
LEAVE THIS FOR THE TIME

4) There is also some leakage from the joint where the main and transfer gearboxes mate against eachother. Repair would entail splitting the two boxes and replacing the “back-to-back” seals which fit between the two.
LEAVE THIS FOR THE TIME

5) It’s not drastic, but I note also that there is fluid leaking from a couple of the power steering pipes. Not bad at this time.
TIGHTEN THEM

Aside from the leaks, a couple of other observations regarding MOT related issues…


1) The brake pipes across the rear axle are heavily corroded & need replacing.
CHEAP TO FIX - £10 MAX

2) The rear suspension radius/trailing arms, the chassis end bushes are heavily split/perished and are on the verge of disintegrating. Also the nearside bump stop has dropped off."
CHEAP TO FIX - £15

I'm now really not sure what to do. Do I cut my losses and sell the bloody thing, or suck it up and finish what I started?

Also, would anyone care to take a stab at estimating the cost for all this work? The gearbox overhaul is the part that worries me the most!


:(:(


Read red
 
its not as bad as it sounds, if your competent to have a go at it yourself

Trouble is I'm now lacking confidence in my own abilities. The T seals and timing housing leaks must be my own fault, so I'm worried that I will make matters worse if I continue down the road of trying to do the work myself.

But I suppose that has to be an option if I can't afford to pay for the work to be done.

Royally fed up :(
 
Trouble is I'm now lacking confidence in my own abilities. The T seals and timing housing leaks must be my own fault, so I'm worried that I will make matters worse if I continue down the road of trying to do the work myself.

But I suppose that has to be an option if I can't afford to pay for the work to be done.

Royally fed up :(

your welcome to do it at mine ,bit of a run
 
your welcome to do it at mine ,bit of a run

That's a very kind offer, James. Out of interest, where abouts are you?

Edit: learnt to read your location. I thought Louth was a typo for south! *facepalm*
 
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Just my thoughts,

Put it aside and save up for the parts that can wait,

Get the work done that needs doing,

Keep an eye on the leaks in general,

Remember, those with more experience than you started where you are, I'm doing a timing belt jobby over this weekend, Disco 300s arent as roomy as Defender 300s so I cant just pop the fan off either !

I can feel your pain, just dont pay a garage ooddles of money for things you can do
 
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