SpagettiDefender · Jan 9, 2023

Hello Frens,

I recently acquired a 1996 D90 with the 2.0 MPi engine (136hp/136ftlb). This past fall we drove it across the USA from coast to coast without any problem. The rig is in great shape and I am going all in on an engine overhaul and complete restoration of the D90 starting in November 2023. I've always wanted a Defender (and MV Agusta F4) and now I have them both. I am excited to see what others have done especially owners that have the 2.0 MPi. I'll post updates and pictures as I get them. At the moment I can't figure out how to post pictures but my profile has my rig. When I click upload file I get an error.....

SpagettiDefender · Jan 9, 2023

Here are come clips

miktdish · Jan 9, 2023

Welcome

I've not seen the 2ltr petrol engine before. Things do look nice and clean in your engine bay.

JUKE179r · Jan 9, 2023

Welcome to the forum!

marjon · Jan 9, 2023

Welcome from another MPI owner

.

Not many on here with the MPI good luck with it.

J

kermit_rr · Jan 9, 2023

Hi and welcome
The MV is a gorgeous bike!!!!!!!!

brianp38dse · Jan 9, 2023

Hello and welcome

saxavordian · Jan 9, 2023

Thought MPI petrol engines was first fitted to disco's but we're rubbish at the time. Did Landrover have a change of heart failure seeing the warehouse full.

marjon · Jan 9, 2023

saxavordian said:
Thought MPI petrol engines was first fitted to disco's but we're rubbish at the time. Did Landrover have a change of heart failure seeing the warehouse full.

It was fitted to the Disco and defender for car tax reasons in Europe. The Italian police like the defender version.
They wouldnt fit the 2.0 MPI turbo engine as it would have been better than the V8

.
They were considered very under powered in the disco bulk, in the defender they are a bit more spritely but certainly not pushing you in the back of the seat fast. Needs to be kept wound up a bit.
But still lots of fun

.

Quiet a few available in Europe, don't know how that 1 made it to Alaska

.

J

Western Slope Rover · Jan 9, 2023

marjon said:
It was fitted to the Disco and defender for car tax reasons in Europe. The Italian police like the defender version.
They wouldnt fit the 2.0 MPI turbo engine as it would have been better than the V8.
They were considered very under powered in the disco bulk, in the defender they are a bit more spritely but certainly not pushing you in the back of the seat fast. Needs to be kept wound up a bit.
But still lots of fun.

Quiet a few available in Europe, don't know how that 1 made it to Alaska.

J

It washed up after a tsunami. Probably from Japan.

Welcome from Colorado. Stick around. Yanks usually run away from this lot.

Disco1BFG · Jan 9, 2023

Welcome Aboard

Nice 90 too .. As post #9 - the Mpi was only fitted to the D1 domestically - in which it was a slug.. nothing like enough torque - typical gubbermint interference trashing a perfectly good vehicle IMHO..

Whereabouts in Alaska ? we've been streaming quite a bit of Coast Guard Alaska - love the scenery - not a dissimilar climate to where we are in High in the Pennines - but not quite as close to the Sea !!

marjon · Jan 9, 2023

Western Slope Rover said:
Stick around. Yanks usually run away from this lot.

You're still here, where have we gone wrong

.
Besides that he has a n other country between you lot, so not sure hes classed as a proper yank to us lot.

J

SpagettiDefender · Jan 9, 2023

The Disco is of Italian origin and a real mystery under the hood (bonnet) and thus Spaghetti Defender.

Disco1BFG said:
Whereabouts in Alaska ?

I'm actually in the Arctic in an oil camp called Alpine. The D90 is located in the greater Seattle area.

marjon said:
Welcome from another MPI owner. Not many on here with the MPI good luck with it.

Perhaps the biggest problem I have with the 2.0 MPi at this point is the knowledge of this defender configuration and then second would be parts availability. I am trying to get a sticky MPi thread any help is appreciated.

Western Slope Rover said:
Welcome from Colorado. Stick around. Yanks usually run away from this lot.

This Yank doesn't run from anyone. Besides, it's tough to hurt my feelings when God didn't bestow any on me. =-)

Cheers Mates.

SpagettiDefender · Jan 9, 2023

kermit_rr said:
Hi and welcome
The MV is a gorgeous bike!!!!!!!!

marjon · Jan 9, 2023

SpagettiDefender said:
Perhaps the biggest problem I have with the 2.0 MPi at this point is the knowledge of this defender configuration and then second would be parts availability. I am trying to get a sticky MPi thread any help is appreciated.

Dont think there are enough of us to bother with a "sticky MPI". But that is not to say a rebuild thread would not be welcome

I have a Disco manual which covers the engine side, and a defender manual for the mechanical bits

.

Parts are available under many x20 series rover parts but becarfull about the distributor V EFI version when ordering. One of the big LR boys in the UK does basic service items but that's about it

Major Electronic parts are getting hard to source

. And there are some differences because of the engine orientation.

Noticed in 1 of your pics you had the temp sensor unplugged, checking your fan/gauge? (cant remember which does what right now)

J

marjon · Jan 9, 2023

Yep we like bikes too

.

J

Western Slope Rover · Jan 9, 2023

SpagettiDefender said:
The Disco is of Italian origin and a real mystery under the hood (bonnet) and thus Spaghetti Defender.

I'm actually in the Arctic in an oil camp called Alpine. The D90 is located in the greater Seattle area.

Perhaps the biggest problem I have with the 2.0 MPi at this point is the knowledge of this defender configuration and then second would be parts availability. I am trying to get a sticky MPi thread any help is appreciated.

This Yank doesn't run from anyone. Besides, it's tough to hurt my feelings when God didn't bestow any on me. =-)

Cheers Mates.

My son worked rebuilding an oil facility in Valdez for 6 months. I've gotta get there before I die.

Which means I should try to get there soon.

SpagettiDefender · Jan 9, 2023

marjon said:
Noticed in 1 of your pics you had the temp sensor unplugged, checking your fan/gauge? (cant remember which does what right now)

The sensor i have unplugged is for the radiator fan. When you unplug it, the fan stays on which IMHO this is better than over heating. I believe the sensor is bad since the fan is not coming. I've seen this problem mentioned by others. The gage sensor has a loose wire so the gage is intermittent.

marjon · Jan 9, 2023

SpagettiDefender said:
The sensor i have unplugged is for the radiator fan. When you unplug it, the fan stays on which IMHO this is better than over heating. I believe the sensor is bad since the fan is not coming. I've seen this problem mentioned by others. The gage sensor has a loose wire so the gage is intermittent.

Yep, probably me, I did a bunch of tests for another member, but it needs to get pretty warm before it comes on

ours works but never heard it come on under normal use

.

J

WhiskyLassie · Jan 11, 2023

SpagettiDefender said:
Hello Frens,

I recently acquired a 1996 D90 with the 2.0 MPi engine (136hp/136ftlb). This past fall we drove it across the USA from coast to coast without any problem. The rig is in great shape and I am going all in on an engine overhaul and complete restoration of the D90 starting in November 2023. I've always wanted a Defender (and MV Agusta F4) and now I have them both. I am excited to see what others have done especially owners that have the 2.0 MPi. I'll post updates and pictures as I get them. At the moment I can't figure out how to post pictures but my profile has my rig. When I click upload file I get an error.....

Hello and welcome

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