and paint with a 1" or 2" brush to make sure you get in all the pits!

it can if it is not cleaned properly! use a flapping wheel or propoer wire brush to remove rust before priming and don't use rotating wire brushes as this just polishes the rust! also use an acid etching primer before painting

i've heard this stuff is meant to be good> http://www.buzzweld.co.uk/

as above or wheel bearings if it only occurs when moving

you must be devastated losing that reflector! :oops:

sounds like you need to get it across to @jamesmartin

good idea, although being a engineer, I would have to do that quite a few times (say 20) so that I could get an accurate(ish) average as driving "style" and conditions are likely to differ each time you do the "X" miles!

how big's the dog? if I ever had anyone sitting in the middle seat in my old one, gear changing was a bit cosy!

I'm always a bit skeptical when anyone says there old land rover will do X mpg. I guess it's very subjective and very difficult to scientifically measure unless each time you fill up, you empty the tank until you run out!

mines also a 1995 300tdi 110, with a low mileage engine, serviced regularly, etc. but I'm lucky to get 20-25 on my daily drive! around the town, i imagine it's a lot less! if I regularly got an average of 25, i'd be delighted with that!

be interested to know how you ever achieved 30mpg if you had all those issues?!

that's why i thought it might have been the rack or motor

it's probably going to be either the rack (item 5 below) that's slipping, or the motor and gear slipping. you will probably need to get the crash pad off to have a look!

what year 90 are we talking about James?

white is either fuel or water from the engine, i.e. cylinder head

I think (although I may be corrected) blue smoke is oil but if it clears after a while that should be ok. Mine (300tdi) is a bit smokey on start up but soon clears. if it was constant white smoke then i'd be worried!

What colour smoke?

sorry, not sure what advice you're looking for? just buy one if you need one!

yep! it spins so it might be something in there?!

can you not ask the "specialist"?