Thread: Defender Puma 2.2 Problems

I had the radiator hose go. It overheated on the hottest day of the year in Melbourne. They fixed the turbo hose on recall. My cubby box is falling apart, but other than that I love my MY12 90. I had my new Husqvarna dirt bike seize on me at 120km/ph. That was interesting. it is still in the shop. No other dramas with the Defender though.

I've had the turbo and heater hoses go on my 2012MY 90 and no other problems yet but I am worried about the transfer case. I have a lot of slop in the lever and it only moves a very small amount to the left to engage the centre diff lock and has slipped out while engaged a couple of times. Next service I'll get it checked. Interested to know what's actually wrong with your transfer case.

Touch wood no problems from mine in 25000km Aug 12 110.

I have had it jump from low range early in the piece but I have put that down to driver error given it hasn't occurred since.

Good to hear your 90 is going well Carl. My wife has now been driving my 110 longer than me but I get to make up some more time up in Sydney later this week when I get back to Australia - for two weeks anyway. Then back OS.

Not directly related - but I hope helps.

When I bought my new TD5 defender in 2003, I had issues with the rear diff. Mine was one of the first that they had swapped over to the new P38 Diff. I wanted the older Salisbury and thought that's what I would get.... But anyway the first diff failed after 500k's. The next diff failed as I drove out of the work shop - really! I drove around the corner and it started a rythmic clunk, some teeth had fallen off. The next diff lasted 4000k's before the bearings failed.

But the final 4th diff has lasted 220,000ks and is still silent. One of the problems is that Land Rover use refurbished not new replacement parts for diffs and transfer cases. So sometimes you inherit other peoples problems. But often you do get a good one and the issue stays fixed for a long time.

The LT230 transfer case is a good transfer case, and many have lasted for a very long time - I've got an old range rover with 500,000 on it's original Lt230. So don't worry too much - once you get a good one then it will be Ok.

That sloppy transfer case lever - I had that on my MY09, was fixed under warranty, apparently there was a clip that retains the lever on the shaft that had popped off. So was a simple fix - I had the same issues you have.

I never really got a straight answer as to what the issue was with the last transfer case, but I'll make sure I get an answer out of them this time. I took it into them because there was quite a loud ticking noise coming from it.

Good to hear that I'm not the only one with problems, mine just seem to be the most major haha. Oh well, I'm hoping that all the kinks will be ironed out soon! I'm meant to be heading up to the cape next week, so I'm hoping they get it sorted soon. I had an 2003 TD5 90 until last year, and never once had a problem like this with it. I'm hoping this one will end up as reliable as that one was for me!

Originally Posted by BilboBoggles

Not directly related - but I hope helps.

When I bought my new TD5 defender in 2003, I had issues with the rear diff. Mine was one of the first that they had swapped over to the new P38 Diff. I wanted the older Salisbury and thought that's what I would get.... But anyway the first diff failed after 500k's. The next diff failed as I drove out of the work shop - really! I drove around the corner and it started a rythmic clunk, some teeth had fallen off. The next diff lasted 4000k's before the bearings failed.

But the final 4th diff has lasted 220,000ks and is still silent. One of the problems is that Land Rover use refurbished not new replacement parts for diffs and transfer cases. So sometimes you inherit other peoples problems. But often you do get a good one and the issue stays fixed for a long time.

The LT230 transfer case is a good transfer case, and many have lasted for a very long time - I've got an old range rover with 500,000 on it's original Lt230. So don't worry too much - once you get a good one then it will be Ok.

There may be a point that when people fixes problems, more other problems will arise. So an example with little problems will less while one that currently go to have minor waranty fixes will end up with +++ major issues??? What do you guys think???

Originally Posted by Becat

There may be a point that when people fixes problems, more other problems will arise. So an example with little problems will less while one that currently go to have minor waranty fixes will end up with +++ major issues??? What do you guys think???

Analysis of this maintenance phenomenon is part of my day job and this is true to a point. However if there are diff problems it is unlikely subsequent A/C problems are related as an example. However poor quality control in processes and people can lead to issues that are unrelated and partly explain why some cars are prone to numerous faults.

The other side of the equation is always the operator and I find this the biggest contributer, not that I am suggesting that in this topic

I am always cautious when the operator knows best, of course supported by businesses and magazines making a profit, and begins the modification route. I fixed the axles, then had to fix the diff, then the clutch, the transfer case, the the radiator, the turbo, the engine etc etc. Is it any wonder they are unreliable?

A recent conference quote: "Machines don't die - they are murdered"

Rant over