Well, first of all l would change the oil for something better and second l would use a 5w/40 in a TD5 We had an LDV van and my dad used to get the cheapest oil he could as it was "only a van" lt used to burn oil at about 1 litre per hundred miles. l did a service on it and used Castrol GTX...

Well, after being on the forum since 2006 with 2,000 posts the O/P seems to have disappeared without trace. l hope he managed to sort out the tapping on his new engine, but it looks like we'll never know. He's not been on here since March 2024.

2025 UPDATE SO, THE NEW DEFENDER Yes STILL LIKING IT? I've driven a few old ones as they've come up for sale locally. The best was a pristine 2012 TDCi XS Utility with 30,000 miles. l went for a drive in it, and apart from a clattering/play in the transmission (new clutch and output shaft...

So good that you're speechless with joy?

l had a 2005 Defender 110 TD5, bought it with 56,000 miles. l had it stage 1 remapped. lt was always a bit of a smoker after the remap, in fact the first Remap from Alive was ridiculous. If l overtook a vehicle it would be lost in the smoke screen. I had it reset to standard and went for a...

Well, the important thing is that they didn't get your vehicle

Well, someone got a nice late model TD5 110 CSW for under £9k

l did notice the CAT C back in 2017. I guess it depends on what happened to it, l never asked the seller, it could have been stolen recovered minus doors and bonnet MOT's since seem to show no issues. lt is in the higher £700 road tax category

l was going to bid but it was at the other end of the country. Although prices have dropped from the post covid surge, this did seem a bargain. The MOT history showed no issues, l was in contact with the seller and he sent me some photos of the chassis which looked very good...

Live axle utility 4x4 Never designed for racing/wheelspin starts with the engine tuned nearly 100BHP (and probably a whole heap more torque) over stock. Particularly when over twenty years old. Ashcroft will probably sell your friend an uprated transmission to cope with this kind of abuse.

l don't know how it could be a scam, unless they want to make you a silly offer hoping you'll accept. lf they planned to steal it, what's the advantage in leaving a note on it. Unless the plan is to car jack you on the test drive.

Well, it might be genuine. l left a note on a sad looking 110 XS SW once (it hadn't moved for months) although the owner never responded. l've occasionally knocked on a door if l see a Defender that's clearly not being used. But it's a fairly unproductive pastime. l called at a house that had...

As above, it's because they don't understand what it means so the computer says "no" l tried to register side steps on my Defender as it was listed as a "modification" and after much discussion with the girl at AF and her leaving me on hold for a while, eventually she said it was added..... it...

l used to have a 1932 Standard Little Nine (like an Austin 7 but a bit larger) With 23bhp is was never going to excel on hills. The queue behind was constant. On the flat it would do 45mph but on some hills it was first gear and 10mph

As above, if you fit a turbocharged engine but remove the turbo it's going to be very flat. The compression ratio on a turbocharged engine is usually lower. lt will drive, but everyone in the queue of cars behind will hate you, particularly on hills.

How's it going with the new one?

But would you have engaged "diff lock" before getting stuck or after? l would have engaged it before crossing the field. As l should have done with the new one (change the driving mode) l have to admit l haven't really read the handbook about the off road driving modes. Not that l even got a...

Moving the terrain response knob does more than engage the diff lock. lt alters how the traction control works. For instance ln the default mode it seems to kill wheelspin, so it will stop a spinning wheel to try and gain traction. ln the mud/ruts mode it seems to allow wheelspin, to an extent...

DECEMBER UPDATE Some proper off road at last! Had to access a property that was right on the edge of Kinder in the Peak District and "only accessible by tractor" according to the owner. What a lovely place to live, well off the grid. But the road was appalling as he'd warned me. Plus a field...

l am not sure it would be worth the buyer going to collect it. Looks well beyond restoration, l wonder how it got into that state.