Thread: 2.8L TGV Reliability / repairability

IMHO, rather get a nice 3.2 4-cyl TDi engine from an Isuzu or Mitsu or whatever is cheapest and most easily available in Australia, with a 5-speed truck box, mate that to a late LT230 t-case, and install that.

Keep the 300TDi with box and old LT230 just in case.

Originally Posted by roller

Hi all looking into buying a 2.8l to replace the 300Tdi in a defender.

Who has one and what issues arise with servicing? is the rare nature of these engines in Australia an issue or are parts as common as the Tdi? (or interchangeable if that became necessary)

do people use these for long outback trips?

should i be able to expect a good few hundred thousand K's of trouble free driving as the engine is new? or is this a bit optimistic, (never owned a new engine before )

finally what’s the consumption like? can i still expect to be better than 10L/100k's?

Really want to hear from those who own one or have driven one/worked on one?

is it as simple as install and enjoy or am i looking at a life of struggling to source parts, explain issues and confused Land Rover mechanics ?

Hi Fossicker,

I have driven a 2.8TGV powered D110 (ex-Td5) for the last 5 years. I find the engine is brilliant, at least as reliable as the 300Tdi, perhaps more. Very simple engine to service. I have only had one single minor issue with the engine in 5 years ( a bolt that holds the water pump to the engine broke ).

The best it has is the torque (WAY more than the 300Tdi) and the availabity of power all over the rpm range, right from zero rpm's , thanks to the TGV (or VNT in Enlgish).

Bottomline is: it IS reliable and it is very easy to service (as easy as it gets, at least down here in Argentina where there are loads of Ford Ranger pick ups with that same engine). Just about any mechanic in the country can service it. It is not the same with the Td5's and Puma's down here in the developing world!

Another good thing is the engine is only 3kgs heavier than the 300tdi.
I love my 2.8 TGV.
Hope it helps.
Cheers,
Santiago

Originally Posted by Overlander

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!

I have read about the problems of using a stock 300Tdi radiator with a 2.8 TGV before but my experience is different. I had the radiator dirty in the beginning and my engine got up to 100C ONCE. I then cleaned the radiator and since then ( last 4 years) I have never seen the engine T rise above 92-93C. I have an accurate VDO gauge installed. In the summer I drive at 110-115km/h for 12 hours non stop (just to re-fuel) with >35C outside so I believe it is a good test.

Santiago, do you have air conditioning ?

yes it has been a while since I drove a stock 300tdi 110....but IMO I dont feel the 2.8 has the torque and power that the internet had me believe(or I wanted to believe) Rick130 may be up this way soon. If so I will insist he drives my truck to get another grounded POV

Ben (Isuzurover) gave it a very short drive....(should have used more throttle mate...its not a Isuzu )

Regarding availability of the 2.8TGV engines. I was out at bruce Davis' getting parts last week, and the parts bloke told me there were two crated engines waiting for jobs on the shelf.
Don.

Wonder if BD is buying them through M&D in the UK or direct from MWM in Brazil ?

Originally Posted by uninformed

yes it has been a while since I drove a stock 300tdi 110....but IMO I dont feel the 2.8 has the torque and power that the internet had me believe(or I wanted to believe) Rick130 may be up this way soon. If so I will insist he drives my truck to get another grounded POV

Ben (Isuzurover) gave it a very short drive....(should have used more throttle mate...its not a Isuzu )

Well we can back to back it against a 300Tdi easily enough