Thread: DeanoH's Defender

The Defender I bought used to run well, now it runs like an absolute dog. Unless I'm just unlucky and something has just failed all on its own, I've done something very wrong. I reckon the latter is most logical.
The engine starts easily and runs well at rest, doesn't blow smoke or do anything silly. Pulled strongly on test drive no problems.
Engine wise I've changed all filters, added diesel and flushed engine (twice) with clean oil and engine flush additive before re-filling with Castrol RX Super.
In fact its so clean (inside) that it is very difficult to read the oil level on the dip stick. This led to the only thing that I can think of that I did wrong, I over filled the engine oil by about 2.5 litres and ran the engine for probably half an hour or so before parking it in the shed. The next morning I found that I'd over filled and drained some oil out.
What damage (if any) could this cause ? is this my problem ?

Symptoms.
The engine still starts and runs from cold with no problem. I took it for a run last week, about 20 Km on windy undulating dirt road and it ran like a dream. Coming back on the same route it started to have intermittent major power loss, no throttle control and was blowing light blue grey smoke. Managed to limp home with the problem getting worse.

Replaced intercooler hoses, the lower short hose was loose and delaminated, thought I'd found my problem, but no.

Went for a short run (2 Km) today and had same power loss and blue grey smoke issue, problem is getting worse.
Parked up in shed, engine seemed to be fuel starved ? when idling when hot, rough idle, poor or nil throttle response at times, no smoke though. Removed cooling pressure cap, plenty of action with water flowing through and steam etc, no 'vesuvius' or overpressure. If I hold revs at about 2000 and fill coolant reservoir to the absolute top to look for bubbles I do get a small 'plop' like a leaking head gasket about once every couple of minutes, not good , but hardly enough to account for whats hapenning I would think .
Oil level seems fine, maybe 2mm down, but I'd just changed the leaky oil cooler hoses so that might be why. Engine isn't breathing when I remove oil filler cap.
Have I busted anything by running with too much oil, fuel pump diaphragm perhaps, or something worse. Removed fuel filter and level was down about 1cm from top. Fuel system pumps up OK by hand, fuel squirts out of bleed screw on top of fuel filter housing, but doesn't pump up hard, can't feel any back pressure in the fuel system when pumping by hand.

What have I done ?


Deano

Haven't touched any of 'em. Promise.
Todays saga, reckoned I had a fuel or turbo problem or both.
Measured fuel pressure and flow, boy has LR got the specs messed up in the manual.
Fuel lift pump pressure 42-55 Kgf/cm squared (3-4 lbf/in squared) @1800rpm.
Only problem 1Kgf/cm squared = 14 psi. When you do the maths it doesn't work out.
Measured @ 50-60 Kpa which is about 7 psi which I reckon is about right inspite of what LR reckon. Flow was OK.

Next I wanted to measure the turbo boost so I removed the waste gate connection and connected a pressure gauge on a 2 metre hose into the cab.
LR specify 0,93-1,07 bar (13.5-15.5 lbf/in squared) for this and got the maths right this time.

Works out at about 100 kpa which I kept under for about 20 Km with no issue, ran well. I can only assume there's something wrong with the waste gate so will check tomorrow.
I reckon this could be my problem as the T piece on the turbo outlet feeds the injector pump and the waste gate so a problem here will affect both, I think.
Thanks for the link, posted there and BK replied which is good. Have to be careful here not to multi post. Hanging offence they tell me.

Only did 20 Km as clutch failed and had to get towed home! but at least I've got one problem sorted (hopefully).

As an aside, LR, not to be outdone with inconsistent pressure units quotes injector pressure in atmospheres. So for pressure they use Kgf/cm squared whatever the hell they might be, bar and atmospheres. Not a Kpa to be seen. I wonder if they use Ergs for power and Kiderkirkins for volume ?

Deano