James73

Member
I'm relatively new to owning a defender (TD5 2004). I've covered around 10000 miles since buying in Feb 2019.
So far I've spent thousands (no exaggeration) on servicing, replacing most components underneath because they were knackered including the transfer box, rear diff, shock, clutch etc etc. Plus i had it stage 2 remapped.
But I don't have anything to compare it to.
The engine has now done 118k miles and I've recently replaced the injector harness.
My question, is how should it run? By that I mean, one day it runs beautifully, the next it's a bit rough around the edges. It puffs some black smoke under load (since the remap and another thing to rectify).
70mph I do rarely as it's loud and vibrates, and that's fine, if that's normal. Sometimes its smooth through the gears.. Sometimes it's a bit notchy going into 3rd... the sunroof leaks (on the passenger, so that's ok ;)) I realise leaks are standard as I've stopped enough of them.

I have posted this because I don't know anyone else with a defender, so I can't compare to see if this sounds like normal Defender behaviour?

The car is already in negative equity after the initial overpriced amount I paid for it, and the amount I have now paid on it... I still have a long list.
I constantly wonder whether I should cut my losses now and sell and invest in a newer puma engined one due to my high annual mileage.
 
Not much help I guess but yours sounds like most of my previous defenders, they all leak in my experience.
My most recent, a TD5, was a really good truck and drove very nicely but I really wouldn't want to travel 10,000+ miles a year in it!
I currently have a high miles early F2, paid not a lot for it especially when compared to the current defender prices and for me it's 10x more comfortable for covering that type of mileage but appreciate everyone has their own opinion.

Will I get another defender......yes indeed, I know what to expect and it would typically only be used for local trips and not commuting. As you mention, I'd also aim to get the newer engine version it'll probably drive nicer and hopefully not be quite so prone to rot..
 
I'm relatively new to owning a defender (TD5 2004). I've covered around 10000 miles since buying in Feb 2019.
So far I've spent thousands (no exaggeration) on servicing, replacing most components underneath because they were knackered including the transfer box, rear diff, shock, clutch etc etc. Plus i had it stage 2 remapped.
But I don't have anything to compare it to.
The engine has now done 118k miles and I've recently replaced the injector harness.
My question, is how should it run? By that I mean, one day it runs beautifully, the next it's a bit rough around the edges. It puffs some black smoke under load (since the remap and another thing to rectify).
70mph I do rarely as it's loud and vibrates, and that's fine, if that's normal. Sometimes its smooth through the gears.. Sometimes it's a bit notchy going into 3rd... the sunroof leaks (on the passenger, so that's ok ;)) I realise leaks are standard as I've stopped enough of them.

I have posted this because I don't know anyone else with a defender, so I can't compare to see if this sounds like normal Defender behaviour?

The car is already in negative equity after the initial overpriced amount I paid for it, and the amount I have now paid on it... I still have a long list.
I constantly wonder whether I should cut my losses now and sell and invest in a newer puma engined one due to my high annual mileage.

Get this one sorted as the Transit engines do not last as well as the TDI200, TDI300, or TD5.

TD5 will do very high mileages, one in a Aus D2 has done over 1,000,000 km
 
Not much help I guess but yours sounds like most of my previous defenders, they all leak in my experience.
My most recent, a TD5, was a really good truck and drove very nicely but I really wouldn't want to travel 10,000+ miles a year in it!
I currently have a high miles early F2, paid not a lot for it especially when compared to the current defender prices and for me it's 10x more comfortable for covering that type of mileage but appreciate everyone has their own opinion.

Will I get another defender......yes indeed, I know what to expect and it would typically only be used for local trips and not commuting. As you mention, I'd also aim to get the newer engine version it'll probably drive nicer and hopefully not be quite so prone to rot..

The Transit engines are the 4th and 5th best Defender Diesels, better off with a top 3 engine.

I reckon the 200s and 300s will outlive the Transit engines.
 
Thanks.
That's what I'd read. It's hard to know if mine is running well or not as I'd nothing to compare it to. It's got a full service history and I take it to defender specialist garages to be serviced or for the major work (hence thousands spent!).
I don't expect modern driving refinement because that's not what it is, and why I like it so much.
I love the more useability of the remap (no hardware enhancements), but there's obviously abit of a mixture issue causing the black smoke.
 
The black smoke is caused by the sudden addition of more fuel but not enough air.

Try coming on throttle more gradually.

You could get a Variable turbo.
 
Dude get your hands dirty and do the services yourself, it’s not hard at all tbh, don’t let anyone put ACEA c3 engine oil in your engine! Check the Maf sensor is working correctly and use genuine LR gear oil and change it every year,
 
I fitted a new VDO MAF sensor today and fixed the airbox that wasn't closing properly. Instant improvement smoother power delivery. Still monitoring the black smoke under load.
But trying to be a little less enthusiastic with my right foot.
I've thought about doing the service myself, but I guess I've been a slave to the so far complete service book.
Which oils are not aces 3c?
 
I just read the thread posted a couple of years ago about 10W40 v 5W30 etc.
I'll look at the Helix
 
I just read the thread posted a couple of years ago about 10W40 v 5W30 etc.
I'll look at the Helix
Total quartz 7000 10w40, it’s quite expensive but it’s the mutts nutts, that’s what I use and my old mans d2 which is over 200k miles now
 

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