Thread: Maintaining a TD5 Defender (2001 build)

I am curious as to what you do to maintain your TD5 Defenders.

I basically do all my own basic servicing and modifications on my Defender TD5, as I go/learn I take on more. It’s done 125,000K. It had the head (porous) and injectors (leaking/dribble) replaced by LR under warranty


From what I see on the “motor” it consists of changing

• Oil (10,000K) 0W40 Castrol
• Oil filters
• Coolant (annual with redline water wetter & distilled water)
• air filter
• Fuel filter
• Check the belts
• Check the hoses
• Generally check for “leaks”.

Other than this there are no adjustments / tweaks that I should be doing to the motor?


Generally on the vehicle

• On the diffs I simply replace the oil annually.
• Grease annually (low K vehicle)
• Similarly with gearbox and transfer case oils changed annually.
• Check the breather tubs
• Change the brake fluid annually & pads as needed
• Check under the interior mattes regularly for moist dirt etc and clean regularly.
• Should check tyre pressure more regularly but have got 115K so far from original tyres so must be doing something right?
• Shocks and springs all OK but will probably change in next 24 months
• Generally I’m in the process of replacing all the nuts and bolts with SS as I move through the vehicle.

When I wash I make sure I get into all those little body nooks and cranny’s to get the dirt out.

Oh and each time this forum identifies a “problem” I checked it. So the exhaust manifold is about to be de-webbed.

Other than this nothing?

How about you.

Scott,

I would say 0w40 was too thin. Land Rover recommend 5w30/5w40/ and maybe from memory 5w/50 depending on the climate.

Other than that your list looks pretty good.

Dont change any high tensile or safety critical type bolts to stainless.

I just keep on top of anything that looks like its not at 100% and change it as soon as I can. I dont wait for stuff to break.

Rgds
Peter