Forgot to also mention that the water being used seems to have been a red herring and that it was likely locked air that was released when the engine started that gave the appearance of the water going down. Comedy of fecking errors this is turning out to be.

Right. Now I've got some money in my warchest I've had the engine apart. Piston number 2 was throwing itself around inside the cylinder (thankfully it's own cylinder) so it needs a new piston and a rebore; this is being costed now, as is a replacement second-hand 300 TDi engine. Once I have...

I think I'd only get muddy for about 3 minutes before we all got smokey. Latest on this is that: - whilst it idles fine (and starts fine now it has a 1000 CCA battery) any pressure on the go fast peddal produces clouds of grey smoke; - water is being used. Last diagnosis was that the first...

I'll post updates to this as I go through and eliminate potential threats and come across broken parts. For starters I'll summarise the suggestions I've had here and from what I've read of other people's problems. Reading the old posts was really interesting but I couldn't find many where the...

Talking of garages, does anyone know any reliable landrover/defender mechanics/garages in Essex in case I need to call in the troops. I'm in CM16. PM me if you don't want to go mention them publically. Foleys was recommended earlier today. Ta.

That one is a mystery. No drips showing underneath the car anywhere, and only the residual blue/grey smoke from the first lot of oil. It could have all leaked out before we stopped if something wasn't connected properly, or the oil might not have been put in in the first place. I'll check all...

Thanks Dave. I'll recheck how the new turbo was fitted. If something came progressively loose it might explain the diminishing power, it might even have been the rattling.

Thanks owl. What do you think about the black smoke? Is it possible I've got two faults going on here at the same time?

Will do. Engine is intact at the moment but I'll be posting what I see when I have it off (fnar fnar).

Cheers Johnny - the rattle wasn't that bad, but I did notice it because it was different to the usual noises, but as I've driven this Defender for the sum total of 16 miles I don't have a benchmark for what's normal or not. The closest car I've driven to the Defender is a Merc B-class - and...

Thanks Jongould -we didn't get as far as the cam belt as we wanted to get the turbo right first; the pump hadn't been touched before the test drive. I've got a couple of garages nearby but I want to be a bit clued up before I speak to them. I might be after you for that engine so can you PM me...

Hi, thanks for the info - it's a 300 TDI.

Bless me Landyzone for I have sinned - it has been five days since my last posting. HISTORY For those of you who had the good fortune not to read my opening thread on Landyzone, the background to my laughable story is that I bought a Defender on eBay and on the way home the turbo went...

PS - I won't be attempting this until Monday so there is time to collect advice.

Chums - on a slightly serious note my new shiney turbo has arrived. Reading the manual hasn't thrown up anything too daunting about fitting it myself but a local mechanic I spoke to who quoted me £100 to fit it said that included in that price is checking for and cleaning up all the places that...

I would just like to apologise to everyone for buying the freelander. I've learned my lesson and am very sorry and I won't do it again.

Thanks for the welcomes and things everyone. I have some Rave manual download action going on in the background. When I broke down (see first post) another defender driver went past, turned around, and came to see if I was OK. And today one of the blokes I work near who I don't know beyond...

Nearly hurled my breakfast there Lorri, I thought you said they'd all go at the SAME point.

Thanks Lynn, it feels like home already. Fanatic - Private sale. It was cheap. It was eBay. Just shy of 100k miles, previously owned by one of the local authorities here in Essex. All - anyone care to guess at the next thing I'll have to replace? My money's on the gearbox. Literally.

I need to get a user manual so I can check it first before coming crying to everyone on here; are Haynes still the best? I've replaced the heads on a couple of cars before to give an idea of my current level of (in)competence. Thanking you.