I am about to buy a 2003 Defender 110 TD5 with 65k on the clock.
I have just read that there is a fault where the engine can fail early (as little as 50k due to 'heads popping'. This would require a new engine apparently.

Could anyone allay my fears and tell me if this fault is common and if there is anything to prevent it. I think it may be caused by cooling failures?
Anyway, this is scaring me off a little bit. Are 2003 TD5 engines ok?

I would really appreciate your help. I am sure that there are members of this forum who will recognise this fault and be able to advise me.

Thanks

John

I'm no expert but have been looking at discovery 2's and like you heard some bad news about the td5's and also got put off.

the good thing for you is that (so i've read) The 2002 onward engines are ok, it was just the early one's with faults.

I would also like more info if someone has more as I've found a 1999 D2 TD5 for sale but i'm a bit worried

Howdy

The most expensive issue:

The heads on the TD5 can crack around the injectors. Common sign of this happening is the oil level on the dipstick climbing when the diesel gets in the sump. This fault was never fixed by Landrover, so I'd recommend that you spend around £37 on getting the oil tested (worn injector seals can also cause the same symptoms, and are a much cheaper fix: around £20 vs £2k).

Cheaper issues.....

Other than that, oil can get in the harness, all the fancy electronic sensors can or will give hassles (only replace with OEM) at some stage.

Having stated the above, they're fantastic engines, and will last a long time if looked after properly. If you do get one take all the unessential stuff off like the egr and cat (later TD5's) and get yourself along to Pete or Ian.

Cheers

Tom

I have a 2004 td5 130 defender - have done 190,000k of heavy work on rough roads with no expensive dramas. Did manage to crack a chassis but was easily fixed at low cost. I have fitted heavier rear axles and flanges.

Overall repair costs are less than any previous work vehicle I have owned and the defender has done heavier work. Big difference is that (so far and touchwood) there have been no expensive transmission rebuilds despite heavy loads and heavy towing.

But make sure you check the engine oil pump bolt - if you don't know it has been checked then do it yourself. Mine did not come undone - but when I checked it, it was not tight and had no threadlocking stuff on it - so was an accident waiting to happen. Other than this the td5 engine has required nothing more than routine maintainance and removal of the unnecessary stuff already mentioned by others.

alanw

Hi again. Big Big thanks to all who have contributed. I really value your advice.
Thanks- Steve, Tom and Alan. Who are Pete and Ian? I really do need an expert to check these things over after I buy the vehicle on Friday. Alanw's post has reassured me enough to take the plunge. Thing is, you must think I am stupid buying a vehicle that I know nothing about but I do know that it will fit my lifestyle.
Any further advice or better still, someone who knows the TD5 Defender I can ring for a quick chat. I.E an independant garage/mechanic who may look after the vehicle for me.
I live near Barnard Castle, Co Durham but would travel 100miles for a real expert to care for it.

Big, Big thanks again

John

Hi John

Ian = IRB Developments IRB Developments - Diesel Tuning and More
Pete = BAS Diesel performance tuning and economy remap chip tuning for Landrover Defender Discovery TD5 Puma TDV6 TDV8

I'm sure someone will come along who's up your way.

I went in blind and just bought mine without knowing a thing about TD5's, so I spent £200 on a full AA check, as this included a 6 month warranty for anything that went wrong or broke.

Tom

had mine 5 years has been the dogs danglys no engine probs change the oil and filters without fail done loads of offroading/green laning hope this helps

Thanks guys. I have taken the plunge on my first ever Landy and spent 16k in the process! A big risk for a noob. Its fully loaded xs 110 and has a mass of extras. I bought it off a really nice guy who is a landy enthusiast and long time club member. Its a risk without that AA check (wish I knew about that) but I am really pleased so far. Infact I am loving it.

Thanks for the info guys.

Ps My user name should have been JohnyCat! Anyone know how I can change this?