Thread: TD5 Auto Service time items to watch.

Great idea, Kyle. Thats what this place is best at, collaborative efforts.
I'll be using your list next week-end.
Thanks. Dave.

Straight to the GOOD OIL with this one Kyle

Welch plug leaking coolant - Left hand side of head, Behind exhaust manifold, between cylinders 3&4 (i think). Look for signs of coolant weeping / or coolant coloured stain around the large bolt/plug with the hex socket (you'll need a torch).

Small coolant return hose from top of radiator (passengers side) back to coolant reservior ... hose gets brittle and cracks ... take radiator top shroud off and trace lines back to tank ... watch for places where hose can rub through.

Air filter element doesn't always seal inside air box properly ... remove and check for traces of dust in the inlet pathway and ensure air filter element seal comes in proper contact with mating surfaces in the airbox.

Kyle, the power steering hose is the supply hose (reservior TO PS pump), not the return hose.

This list is a great idea !

[QUOTE=alien d2;1351385]When servicing my Disco or looking at another one these are the things I look for(Exept for the auto no different to the Defender).
This list is to be used in combination with a good once over.
Suspension/brakes/hoses/belts/wiring/ect should be looked at any service time anyway.

;Cam seal at front of the head..leaves a black mess.
;Exhaust manifold...Look for soot or broken bolts(I check with a spanner).
;Power steering return hose.. rubs on the edge the sump(Pasenger front corner).
;Top radiator hose...rubs on the air conditioning pipes.
;Auto trans lines...Starts with a weap from the pressed fitting at radiator end of the pipes.
;Oil/fuel leak from fuel regulator(R/H/Rear of head)...drains onto starter and over the bell housing.
;Coolant leak at fuel cooler(R/H bolts of the manifold)...Look for weaping from the ends.
;Front tail shaft...Check for movment before greasing.
;Air conditioning drain hoses...check for blocked hoses.
;Coolant hoses to Earth lead...rubbing on the earth lead under the alternator(R/H/Front of motor)
;Oil at ECU...Check for oil at the ECU while your checking your battery.

Please if any one knows of some more please add as I havn't found a thread telling us what to look for reguarly with out lots of general chit chat I





I have just replaced the top hose on my TD5.
It was loosing water and spraying all over the near side of the engine bay.
Upon investigation, I found that a small hose from the main large one, had rubbed its way through on a air con metal pipe and under pressure it sprayed everything. It took me several weeks of head scratching and wondering where all the coolant was vanishing to. Fitted new hose, twisting it away form the offending metal pipe and all is now well.

Also inspect the electrical harness around the front of the head.
And don't forget to check the one over the bell housing behind the head.
The conduit gets brittle and breaks away alowing the wires to rub.


And the little coolant hose (below the welsh plug) on the oil cooler under the exhaust manifold.

Hi All

Hope you don't mind but I took everyone's comments and collated them into a single document and then added to it the recommendations from a well know manual


1. Suspension/brakes/hoses/belts/wiring/etc. should be looked at any service time anyway.
2. Cam seal at front of the head - leaves a black mess.
3. Exhaust manifold - Look for soot or broken bolts (I check with a spanner). May have been noticed as a whistling sound while driving
4. Power steering supply hose - rubs on the edge the sump (Passenger front corner).
5. Auto trans lines - Starts with a weap from the pressed fitting at radiator end of the pipes.
6. Oil/fuel leak from fuel regulator(R/H/Rear of head) - drains onto starter and over the bell housing.
7. Front tail shaft - Check for movement before greasing.
8. Air conditioning drain hoses - check for blocked hoses.
9. Coolant hoses to Earth lead - rubbing on the earth lead under the alternator(R/H/Front of motor)
10. Coolant leak at fuel cooler(R/H bolts of the manifold) - Look for weaping from the ends.
11. Welch plug leaking coolant - Left hand side of head, Behind exhaust manifold, between cylinders 3&4 (I think). Look for signs of coolant weeping / or coolant coloured stain around the large bolt/plug with the hex socket (you'll need a torch).
12. Small coolant return hose from top of radiator (passengers side) back to coolant reservoir - hose gets brittle and cracks, take radiator top shroud off and trace lines back to tank, watch for places where hose can rub through.
13. Check the little coolant hose (below the welsh plug) on the oil cooler under the exhaust manifold.
14. Top radiator hose - rubs on the air conditioning pipes.
15. Vacuum hoses – get brittle, rub
16. Oil at ECU - Check for oil at the ECU while your checking your battery.
17. Inspect the electrical harness around the front of the head.
18. Inspect the electrical harness over the bell housing behind the head. The conduit gets brittle and breaks away allowing the wires to rub.
19. Oil at ECU - Check for oil at the ECU while your checking your battery.
20. Oil Filter
21. Drain Water trap on Fuel Filter

According to the books
1. 6000 Miles
a. Replace Engine Oil
b. Check Brakes and Discs
c. Check Calipers
d. Check Coolant/Heating Hoses
e. Check underbody brake/fuel/clutch pipes
f. Check handbrake
g. Check steering/suspension components
h. Check crankcase breather hoses

2. 12000 Miles
a. As above
b. Replace Oil Centrifuge rotor
c. Check Drive Belt
d. Check Gearbox Oil Level
e. Drain Fuel Sedimenter
f. Check Front/Rear Axle Oil Levels
g. Check radiator/Intercooler for obstructions
h. Check ABS Wheel Sensor Harness
i. Lubricate Prop Shaft UJ’s and Sliding Joints
j. Check Exhaust System
k. Check Prop Shaft Coupling Bolts
l. Check Towing Bracket
m. Check all Seat Belts
n. Check ACE actuator gaiters
o. Check ride height sensor harness

3. 24000 miles
a. As above
b. Replace Brake Fluid
c. Replace Main Gearbox oil
d. Replace Auto box oil
e. Replace Transfer box oil
f. Replace Fuel Filter Element
g. Renew Key Fob batteries

4. 36000 miles
a. As above
b. Replace Oil Filter cartridge
c. Replace Air Filter Element (although in Australian conditions this may need to be sooner)
d. Replace Coolant

5. 60000 miles
a. As above
b. Replace Air Suspension Filter

6. 72000 miles
a. As above
b. Replace Braking System Hydraulic Seals, Vacuum Servo Filter, and all flexible brake lines
c. Replace ACE Filter

7. 96000 miles
a. As above
b. Replace Drive Belt
c. Replace Front/Rear Axle Oil

8. Every 15 years
a. Replace Seatbelt Pretensioners and Airbags

Also these need to be added.....

Check fuel line as it rubs on bracket right hand side rear of vehicle in front of fuel tank.Get mirror & torch & check fuel lines on top of tank for rubbing.

Check A/C condensate is not dripping on XYZ electrical plug for auto & not onto front driveshaft uni joint.Pipe it away with rubber hose & cable ties.Also check for wiring rubbing on top of & around auto tranny.

If fitted with ACE regularly check all hoses for rubbing particularly hoses front left of engine bay

Kyle do you remember the small coolant hose I broke when you helped me do my first service on the Disco, It was that brittle and snapped the second I touched it. Not shure if its on the list if not might be worth adding??