Vehicle & Technical > Defender

What to look for before buying

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Devon-Rover:
The TD had a reputation that was given to it by the early models. They the development engines and a few cases in the early production models had the standard big ends and with the turbo charging caused problems as the big ends couldn't handel the strain and so a few were known to knock big time or stick a leg out of bed. Short of giving you a history of the project falcon engine. essentially a 2.5N/a adapted to take the turbo so there is the extra oilways, hardend pistons, hardend exhaust valves. etc the list goes on. as above originally the big end wasn't adapted and so they begain to go wrong and so that started to give them a bad name.
Next up is the breathing system The TD with the current pipe set up for the engine breathers gives it the next inherit trademark heavy breathing the air filter should have been renewed every 3K miles as to keep it clean. Look on the breather pipes for excess oiling and then check the airfilter to see what condition it is in and the pipework leading to and from it, check for excess oil around the intake pipes around the turbo. Why do they breath so heavy? Well again it was due to the idea of having to design an existing engine to take a turbo. ( not like the gemini's that were a clean sheet of paper job) when the engine starts to wear in the bores then the extra pressure in the cylinders due to the turbo will cause heavy breathing, where the pressure escapes past the pistons into the sump and then it'll work it's way through the engine and be evident as crankcase pressure, so there it'll push oil mist ( in the worst cases actully push oil) out of the top breather on the rocker box. With this heavy breahting and the standard breather set up means that the oil filter gets glogged with oil and even worse is the next TD trademark. Running on.
With a very worn TD ( this has happed to TDI's i'll tell you too so it isn't just a unique problem) there will be such an amount of oil mist being pushed out of the engine and that the current breather configuration, will actually cause the engine to run on it's own oil! So it'll speed up, more oil gets pushed out, it runs faster etc..etc..etc.. It'll either Rev it's self into oblivion and go bang. Or it'll run out of oil at some rev's and then go bang as the bigends run dry. But either way it is expensive.

So after this you might be a little put off by the TD, well thats a maybe but i wouldn't. I'll give you case study A my dad's 90.

It is maintained and serviced as per the book.

Regulary used and abused, commonly found either doing 60 - 70 on the M-way or towing 3 ton trailers or Off roading.

It has never had the head off it it has never had the injectors out. it is on clutch number 3. turbo number 2, injector pump number 2. yes i know they are spose to be reconditioned every 80 odd K but why bother when they don't need to be.

and the Mileage ladies and gents?

251.647

It is now strting to get tired and we are looking for a replacement engine.

But it is not alone i'm sure at a guess there is plenty more TD's that are still going well. so it isn't all badnews when your here the words TD.

Other wise just look out for oil leaks, odd noises etc..etc.. after cheecking the chassis, bulkhead and the doors for rust.
Starting from cold shouldn't be anything longer than 30 seconds on the glowplugs and 3 or so seconds on the starter. See for a puff of smoke on starting and then it should be no other smoke. Take it for a run and give it a good test to make sure it pulls ok and that there isnt any excessive smoke under power. Listen to hear the turbo cut in a pull. The TD's have little turbo lag but it's usually around 2K RPM when the whistle is eveident. cheeck to see if it is keeping it's temperature.


When you get back leave the engine running and check under the bonnet to see if there is any signs of blowing round the manifolds and the turbo. lift of the rocker breather and put your hand there and check for any signs of excessive pressure a little is acceptable but anymore and it is a sign that things are a little worn. Listen for any rattles or knocks now the engine is warm.

Well i think i have coverd everything.

Miniman:
AND after you have checked all the above's the bloke will think you are a total Landy freak and you can knock him down in price.....he he.

I have a better Idea why not put a post up asking for someone to go with you in your area to help you check it out. You will look silly turning up with a printout from Mud Club to check everything.....LMAO.

There are plenty on here that will help you out....

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