Thread: Defenders on "Car Sales."

Originally Posted by dazzler

Give it time, and any angst re puma engine will dissipate and people will find the next model to fuss over IMHO
I for one like the blend between old and new, enough for one handy with a spanner interested.

Like some folks, I will look at a 2019 model but the current one I have is staying put long term puma engine n all

2c

Wasn't having a go at the Puma engine, just a tongue in cheek jab at the fascination with kms travelled / values of some of the newer Defenders. I like all Defenders They should all be driven vast distances across inhospitable terrain as often as possible. It's what they were made to do and it should be law. Use 'em or lose 'em!

Originally Posted by steane

Wasn't having a go at the Puma engine, just a tongue in cheek jab at the fascination with kms travelled / values of some of the newer Defenders. I like all Defenders They should all be driven vast distances across inhospitable terrain as often as possible. It's what they were made to do and it should be law. Use 'em or lose 'em!

Amen brother!

Originally Posted by steane

...I like all Defenders They should all be driven vast distances across inhospitable terrain as often as possible. It's what they were made to do and it should be law. Use 'em or lose 'em!

Absolutely!

I seem to remember you pulled your 300TDI out at around 300,000kms and replaced all main bearings... which made a big difference.

What do you guys think is the marker for engine reliability? 'Done nothing to it' or 'preventative maintenance, changing bearings, rings and head gasket'?

I'm not a mechanic, so excuse my ignorance, but I'm interested to know. ...has anyone done such preventative maintenance on a PUMA TDCI with 300,000km on the clock? Should it be done earlier? Or is this considered a failure?

Originally Posted by Zeros

Absolutely!

I seem to remember you pulled your 300TDI out at around 300,000kms and replaced all main bearings... which made a big difference.

What do you guys think is the marker for engine reliability? 'Done nothing to it' or 'preventative maintenance, changing bearings, rings and head gasket'?

I'm also not a mechanic, so excuse my ignorance, but I'm interested to know. ...has anyone done such preventative maintenance on a PUMA TDCI with 300,000km on the clock? Should it be done earlier? Or is this considered a failure?

I suspect the worn bearings is a 300tdi thing and I'd view it as maintenance, not a failure, unless they aren't changed and fail... Same with head gasket, timing belt, manifold gasket and radiator flushing/rodding for tdis. Can't really compare them to the Puma or other modern diesels, which I'd expect to clock up more than 300k kms easily, with just the required servicing being done. Modern electronic engines are pretty reliable things mostly.

What I love about the 300tdi engine and that generation of Defender is they are a hands-on experience and nothing like a modern car. I've got a Pajero to cart the family around in safely (not a Defender strength) and take on family trips . I'm sure it would clock up 500k+ kms with just routine maintenance - the 4M41 and Aisin g/box are bulletproof - but it's bloody boring to drive and I have no interest in working on it.

Cheers Steane. I guess nothing would ever fail with enough preventative maintenance (as aeroplanes aim for). Couple of Q's:

Could the life of an engine bench-mark be the time it lasts before needing to be removed from the vehicle for major preventative maintenance?

Do you think Defenders are unsafe for a family? Obviously no airbags, but anything else?

Originally Posted by Zeros

Could the life of an engine bench-mark be the time it lasts before needing to be removed from the vehicle for major preventative maintenance?

An engine is done when it fails beyond economical repair. Replacing TDI bearings is cheap DIY. Piston flying out the block would be game over. Pumas may not be so economical to repair/maintain (water in fuel?), but could go on for 600000+ km with less problems/maintanence...

A well kept and rust free TDI put on the market should sell fast. Good luck finding one!

Haha. I love Land Rovers but these last few posts are showing why some other makes owners take the **** out of LR owners. I mean really a rebuild using new main bearings, head gaskets etc is hardly maintenance. Maintainence is an oil change. Replacement due to imminent failure of a critical part of an engine is somewhat different. Ned Kelly's / Grandad's axe analogy is coming to mind. It's a bit hard to keep a straight face and say it's so reliable I have done 300k with just maintenance...

Cheers

I love seeing all these high k, high $ Defenders advertised so I can show my wife to justify my latest acquisition.
Keep them coming please!!