Thread: Money no problem - best preventative maintenance advice TD5 Defender

Just some basic advice- keeping in mind I'm not a TD5 owner...
Keep on top of the servicing- quality fluids, regular servicing
Go over the car regularly for anything that's worn or in need of replacing and replace it (don't hold off 'just a little bit longer')
At those kilometers, might be worth some of the less common maintenance items- cooling system, suspension bushes and all the other things that aren't on the regular service intervals.

As for the engine, maybe seek advice from a pro on what he/she sees broken on vehicles of your vintage.

Thanks, good advice. I have done all radiator and coolant hoses, plus replaced intercooler hoses with silicone ones. But haven't done brake fluid or checked bushes. It does have air bags on the rear that I'm thinking of taking out. I'm not planning on carrying any big weights and It rides pretty hard even with only 5 psi in them. Is this a good idea?

Money no problem? Fine, give it to me and buy a Puma

However, you are unlikely to take my first advice, so: Has the oil pump bolt been done? If you don't know, then do it, and do it soon. It can be catastrophic. Many threads here about it. (Edit: covered by OP) I would research the threads about the injector O rings. Edit: Plan for the injector harness to be a regular service item, it costs so little.

This stuff is all easy, but the result of neglect can be very costly indeed.

The finned sump on the TC is a definite bonus. Oh, 250,000 is nothing, provided you do the simple stuff. I cannot stress enough about the oil pump bolt. It takes about one and a half hours, costs you a few bucks in the sump gasket and the bolt ( check out Mario, Roverlord on this forum, for the price ), and can save you a complete engine failure. If it wasn't for this forum, I wouldn't know that either.

Oh, yes. Get a Nanocom, or similar ( people have preferences ). It'll become your best friend.

Enjoy. Remember, this forum likes pix.

If you are relatively serious with the no budget comments this is what I would do.

Pull the head and replace it with an AMC head using steel dowels when its reinstalled
Remove the oil cooler at the same time and check thoroughly replace if necessary replace radiator as a matter of course. (I used Allisport 50mm)
Replace Viscous fan if it has any play in it
Remove sump and locktite oil pump bolt
Replace water pump check the drive dogs on the power steering pump when doing this
Replace all hoses and belts
Replace clutch and DMF I have used standard even tuned with VNT and it seems to survive ok
Do all wheel and swivel housing bearings
Replace 5th gear support bearings and oil pump if box shows other unusual behavior replace it with an updated Ashcroft box with a v8 5th gear
Reco transfer box and fit Ashcroft ATB
Fit Ashcroft ATB in front diff
Upgrade axles to Maxi Drive
If you have ABS thoroughly check out the system option B is not the solution to every problem and can be dangerous on a defender if not done very carefully
Buy yourself some spare ABS sensors from the UK and carry them
Buy yourself a spare ECU / ABS ECU/ AS10 Security ECU and carry along with a Nanocom
Carry a spare Crank Positioning Sensor thoroughly check out the wiring before going too far afield
While the gearbox is out cover the wiring harness on the left hand side of the transmission tunnel hump with some protective tubing
Carry a spare TPS
Replace or carry spare Genuine VDO fuel pump
Check and or replace all relays under the drivers seat specifically the fuel pump relay check the connectors are not corroded
Change Fuel pressure regulator and reseal fuel cooler if fitted.
Fit Koni Raid 90 Series shocks

I did all this and much more because I lived in an isolated area for a long time
If you are in a city dont worry about it just drive it 250000 is not that much work and you can always fix it easily

Dont change the oil in a TD5 every 5000 ks it just a waste of money for no benefit

That should keep you busy

Only 250K on a 17yr old car, wow! When I sold my 99 Disco 2 (TD5) in 2013 it had 430K on it.

From my TD5 experiences,
- Get a low level coolant alarm, if you overheat a TD5 then the problems are never ending. The temp on the dash is in the coolant water so if you split a hose, you may never know.
you can get one from this forum shop http://https://www.davesitshop.com/e.../ess12tdv.html easy as to install.

- OEM post turbo hoses had a habit of collapsing on the inside, can be almost impossible to troubleshoot. Your car couldn't possibly have the original hoses, worth a check, replace them with silicone hoses if they are not already.

- as per above post, injector harness is regular maintenance item, easy enough to do. Include a new gasket for the cover, it will pay you back in the cost of oil leaks.
- The TD5 was one of the first motors to come out with the red OAT coolant, many were changed over to gycol (green) or worse still, topped up with green. (Ask me how I know ). The hose tails over the entire cooling system will corrode with the green, I'd check these. The end result of swapping red to green would be a gunk in the oil to water cooler.

- If it's been chipped then most likely the plastic dowels / head gasket thing has been fixed.

-I've had a couple of dealing with British Offroad at Forrest Glen, I was happy with the service I got from them.

- As for the defender part I'd give the chassis a good look at for rust and get it treated if it has not already been treated.

- Check around the windscreen and tropical windows for corrosion as well.

Cheers Glen.

best preventative thing you can do is a put a 4bd1 in it

Originally Posted by discoRRc

best preventative thing you can do is a put a 4bd1 in it

Hmm, I did look a couple of Perenties but they were just too slow in standard form. But maybe with 5 speed, adding a turbo, they'd be a good bit of kit? If the TD5 explodes, it may be an option though. Is it a hard conversion? Are they available though?