2.8L TGV Reliability / repairability

I've driven Bruce Davis' demo 2.8 vehicle in an old Deefer and can report that it absolutely flies! Outstanding pull at all engine speeds, smooth and relatively quiet. Bruce has all the tricks too incl. bigger exhaust. This vehicle was also reviewed in Aust 4WD Action magazine (can't recall issue no). Not sure on cost but even at the figures quoted above, I reckon it's good value to extend the life of a much loved truck - esp one with thousands of $ of mods/customizations vs losing about the same amount in depreciation on a new vehicle in the first 1-2 years.

When my Puma is ready for an upgrade I am counting on Bruce having mastered conversion of the Disco twin turbo V6 or RR TDV8 by then!

I have not priced the Isuzu stuff out so dont know about that. But if your budget is only $7000 I would think that will only cover a good rebuild. Im saying that with the replacement of pistons and rings, all major bearings and bushes. All new seals and gaskets, some good machining. You would also be wise to do a new rad (unless yours almost new).

I think if your tdi going well atm, I personally would research the Isuzu route and gearbox. See how much a ok second hand engine is an factor a rebuild. You can be doing that over time while the tdi still working.

Both times now I have been caught out with engine failure, which does not allow me the luxury of time and best overall route to take.

my 2.8tgv was ment to be an improvemnet over the tdi for work reliabilty. The tdi did 230k the 2.8 did 70k.

Serg do you have an idea why the 2.8 crapped itself?,was it overfilled with oil?. Pat

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Originally Posted by PAT303

Serg do you have an idea why the 2.8 crapped itself?,was it overfilled with oil?. Pat

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Yes it was Pat, but the jury is out on that being the cause. Read my thread, the results are showing it may have been something else. Faulty injector is up there. But there is more to my advice that leads me to suggest the Isuzu.

Serg,you do know that even if you had the Isuzu the same thing would have happened?,Isuzu's will transfer oil to the inlet side of the engine even if you fill them too quickly during an oil change. Pat

Thanks Pat, Im not saying the LR stuff absolute junk. I just belive that the Isuzu to be more tollerant to non-perfect service and condtions. For a normal LR and light ocassional towing duties a well looked after tdi ok. Now I have read good stuf regarding the TD5, but as the OP doesnt want elecs it puts that option out.

As I have said before, your vehicle life is a testiment to your knowledge, skill set and effort. There are many many 1000's of people out there that dont have that and that doesnt make them dumb or ignorant. I was getting my tdi serviced every 10k as per LR's own schedule. If it is needed more frequently than this and other items done, where is a non mechanical person to look or even know this? I know of all my friends, my vehicle is the most looked after mechanicaly. Most dont get regular services. There was never a question when it came to mine, if something needed replacing it was done, and I didnt like cheap substitute parts. I dont know to many trucks out there that require a timing belt change at 70-80k and at the same time require the radiator to be rodded out, just to maintain some normal service.....the list of things like this is long on a LR. Yes any brand would benefit from doing it, but some things need it more than others. If you have the time, tools and skill AND want to great. But that should not be a pre-requisit of owning one.

Could you explain more about the "filling to quickly"? is this something I also may have done wrong. I used a macnaught drum pump, 100ml per pump. I just pumped away and counted the pumps...

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Originally Posted by roller

What would be the benefit of a full replacement 2.8L over rebuilding the 300Tdi and upgrading the turbo the Variable one and going a bigger rad/intercooler? Will this leave me with more space in the engine bay? Will it help keep cool?

Is a good rebuild be like getting a new engine? Or is it just going to slightly prolong its life? (engine seems to run fine now but has almost 340K’s and i have little history on it)

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Roller,
As far as the amount of K's on your vehicle are concerned I really dont think its an issue, my 95 300Tdi has done 376K's and its going just as strong as any other Tdi that I'v driven. When I bought the car it came with virtually no history for the maintenance side of things so have no idea how often the oil etc was changed, I now do my'n every 7-8k.

If I were you I would probably just go with rebuilding your 300tdi and fit a new intercooler if you you are looking for more power and maybe tweak the fuel pump a bit as well, in my opinion doing those mods doesn't affect the longevity much at all as long as you monitor the EGT's and make sure the engine doesn't overheat.

Its personal preference really but I would stay with the 300tdi.

Serg,I don't overservice my vehicles,in fact I hate servicing my vehicles,you know the saying about never buying a mechanics car.When I service my vehicles I do the one most important thing and that is do it right the first time everytime,don't think for a moment that driving a cruiser or Patrol means not bothering with correct servicing,you can but it'll cost you down the road.You mentioned rodding the Tdi rad,yes it has to be done but why not?,it's cheap and easy and you won't be replacing rads,heads,waterpumps if you do and if you leave the heater valve open a crack all year round the heater element won't corrode out.Easy really. Pat

Pat, the heater core on a Defender gets full coolant flow all the time, (the heater lever opens and closes an air flap) but it's the plastic tanks that eventually let go :(

JC reckons they are still preferable to the aftermarket copper/brass ones though.

Hello all. I'm in the US and I've had a 2.8 installed in my 93' 110 since 2006. I can say for certain that the 300 TDI stock radiator is not sufficient "as is" to keep the 2.8 cool in hot conditions. After a cracked head that lead to my turbo needing replacement twice (due to coolant in my oil and I didn't realize it..my mistake), I had my radiator recored with more veins and a smaller bypass and now my coolant temps stay well under 180F under all conditions. No more cooling problems at all.

I have quite a bit of 2.8 experience myself at this point if anyone needs any shared experience. I also post quite a bit on d-90.com (the Defender forum in the States).

Cheers!