New to land rovers

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
wilko-tim

wilko-tim

Member
Posts
29
Location
linards france
DSC00784.JPG DSC00782.JPG DSC00782.JPG DSC00784.JPG Hi all just brought my first defender it is a ex army 1991 110 2.5 n/a can any one tell me what engine model i have buy the pic also some help on what to watch out for ect it very noisy on the road dont know if its just the tyres or some thing esle also the top speed is about 110km if im lucky down hill with the wind behind me but up a long hill i can only get about 60 kmh is this normal i only brought it from towing a trailer to and from builder merchants as delivery charge here in france are a lot

thanks Tim
DSC00782.JPG
DSC00784.JPG
DSC00782.JPG
 
Last edited:
Google 12j engine or look at the wikipedia site for land rover engines.
 
I bought refurbished seats from someone who appeared to be very knowledgeable (from Solihull, so he would be) and straight away he told me my engine (same spec as yours) is a 19j and is bullet-proof. Mime also has the same noisy 7.5 R16 tyres as yours, which I'm changing for tubeless when the trolley jack arrives tomorrow. He also pointed out the absence of the air intake pipe from the oil separator (also absent on mine).
I achieve similar speeds to the ones you are experiencing so I guess it's the norm - let's face it, we don't buy these to beat anyone away from the lights!
 
Dandybuzz said:
I bought refurbished seats from someone who appeared to be very knowledgeable (from Solihull, so he would be) and straight away he told me my engine (same spec as yours) is a 19j and is bullet-proof. Mime also has the same noisy 7.5 R16 tyres as yours, which I'm changing for tubeless when the trolley jack arrives tomorrow. He also pointed out the absence of the air intake pipe from the oil separator (also absent on mine).
I achieve similar speeds to the ones you are experiencing so I guess it's the norm - let's face it, we don't buy these to beat anyone away from the lights!
Click to expand...
Are you on tube type rims? They are not air tight
 
Hi Kermit rr,
The Deestones it sits on are tubed which I'm nervous about - plus the noise is unbearable above 45mph. I have just bought some tubeless rims with worn Michelin 7.5 R16s which I'm just deliberating about replacing with 235/85 R16s before I put them on.
More Michelins or Conti's or perhaps Goodrich Mud terrains k3 which look the part but might be just as noisy - I have no aspirations to take it up to Machu Picchu in the winter. Any advice most welcome.
 
If you don’t use your Landy off road regularly, the mud terrains are not a good choice for day to day driving. Go with a set off BF Goodrich all terrains or something more Road biased. They will last longer and the veh will handle a lot better on the road. It will also be much quieter.
 
The engine is a 12j 2.5 NA. [Dannybuzz that chap is talking through his arse] The 19j is a turbocharged unit.
That light green on the engine is a sign the unit has been reconditioned by the military before it was demobbed.
BF are good but overkill for what OP wants, some Insa Turbo AT's would be half the price and much better than what is on.
 
Dandybuzz said:
I bought refurbished seats from someone who appeared to be very knowledgeable (from Solihull, so he would be) and straight away he told me my engine (same spec as yours) is a 19j and is bullet-proof. Mime also has the same noisy 7.5 R16 tyres as yours, which I'm changing for tubeless when the trolley jack arrives tomorrow. He also pointed out the absence of the air intake pipe from the oil separator (also absent on mine).
I achieve similar speeds to the ones you are experiencing so I guess it's the norm - let's face it, we don't buy these to beat anyone away from the lights!
Click to expand...
Your mate is what we used to call a bar stool mechanic!
As for 19j being bullet proof😂😂😂
 
Thanks gents,
Priceless knowledge and much appreciated. Is that to say my engine is a 12J also?
IMG_0253.jpeg
In addition, can anyone please give me an idea what's missing where the highlighted screwed connection on the breather pipe from the oil filler cap should go?
I can't believe this old bus was MOT tested less than two weeks ago before I bought it and I've discovered the reason for the vague if not wayward steering; bottom UJ completely shot!

Many thanks
 
I cannot put my finger on why, but that whole breather set up looks suspect/wrong, there is even a tap in the breather pipe to the inlet manifold?

Just looked on youtube and found this video, same set up as yours, but no taps.

 
Last edited:
You have the 12J engine which is slow but fairly bombproof. The 19J is fundamentally the same but with a few internal modifications to allow for turbocharging. They have a not entirely deserved reputation for going wrong.

If you aren't in a hurry (if you are, don't buy an old Land Rover) the NA will do just fine. Fit some less aggressive tyres for road use and progress will be a bit quicker and quieter. I fitted Toyo Open Country AT tyres on my Disco and immediately gained 3MPG compared to the saggy old Insa Turbos.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

ryan_1993
1999 300 TDI Land Rover Defender 90 Struggle to Start
Replies
11
Views
2K
dag019
dag019
Y
New to land rovers and forum
Replies
5
Views
903
brianp38dse
brianp38dse
ChrisBduck
3.6L Land rover 90
Replies
2
Views
1K
ChrisBduck
ChrisBduck
Francesco M.
P38A The arrival of a P38
3 4 5
Replies
95
Views
4K
marjon
marjon
L
Learning to fix Land Rovers like a pro - career advice wanted
Replies
10
Views
3K
kevstar
kevstar
Back
Top