Hi, Thought I'd update,finally got time so going to take the engine out tomorrow afternoon and start looking for the fault. Will post if/when I find what was wrong. Thanks for all the help.

Just managed to find one at a reasonable price that turned up just round the corner. Now got to clear the trailer to bring it home.

Thought it might be worth a try on here,been looking on eBay for a few months and all seem be out of landy distance. Hoped someone might have one behind their shed.

Hi, I'm looking for a 90's Defender 90 roof,the ones without the strenghters along the top, and sides and rear door to convert my 90. Would need to be in the Suffolk area. Thanks

Gauge turned up,I rigged it up with the sender and a battery and checked it in a saucepan first,read about 3.c low at all points. Fitted it to the landy,so far haven't driven far but hasn't gone over 92.c accounting for the gauge error, so turns out it was me making a fuss out of nothing...

Sorry for not replying,I didn't see all the responses. Gauge still isn't here,I ordered what I thought was the right sender,but that's come and the resistance readings don't tie in with what VDO listed so need to change that. I'll update once I've got the gauge. Thanks

Think mine's has an 88.c thermostat,is that wrong? Thanks

Thanks for the reply's,I ordered a new VDO gauge this afternoon.

Hi, Whereabouts should I be expecting the needle to sit at operating temp on this model of gauge? Just think my 200 might be running a bit hot,it's always gone up until the needle is just in the gap. Thanks

Hi, Thanks very much. It's impossible to tell the size on eBay.

Hi, Would someone be able to give me the rough dimensions of the square Freelander 1 Heater vents? They look perfect for a project. Thanks

Hi all, Fitted the new vacuum pump and took it out for a run,but the pressure still dropped. I've just fitted an oil temperature gauge so will take it out again later to see how hot the oil is getting. Going to be a couple of weeks before I can take the engine out. Thanks

Thanks for the responses. New vaccum pump turning up tomorrow. As I have to pull the engine to check the bearings,I'll give it a go with the new vacuum pump,but I'll be careful.Reckon it's had at least 4 oil changes since rebuilding it so hopefully there isn't much in the sump. For anyone...

I reckon that it had been like it for a while, one of the spring washers on the bolts that hold the top on was missing so someone's been in there in the past. Managed to get an old stock genuine one for much less than the £400 BritCar wanted.

Hi, I'll look into it,we send oil samples off at work so i might be able to get it cheaper. Thanks

Hi, Thanks for the all the effort that's been put into this,I really appreciate it. I've got a new vaccum pump coming and skew gear bearing as these had to be replaced either way, once these are in I'll run it but I think your right and the engine needs to be pulled out. I'll update once the new...

I use Adrian flux,I'm 20 on a Defender 90 and this year it was £850. Mine is cheaper though as I have no rear seats. Haven't had to make any claims,but never had a problem with them.

Just took the top off the vaccum pump,and it looks like it's been pumping gravel:

Just had a look,that's would have been very useful when I was rebuilding mine,shame I didn't think to look. I'm fairly sure that the missing section of spline matched up with the counterpart in the shaft. Looking throught the gap in the bottom of the vacuum pump,there seems to be some scoring...

Thanks for all the responses,just seen them as I had no internet signal. I've got an electric fan fitted,but it goes up to the end of the white on the gauge and is steady. The bush the skew gear runs in is a good fit,there is a small ring around the vaccum pump where the o ring has been running...