Thread: TD5.. Good Bad... I want to know before I buy!

Well... this is a topic that has had a lot of coverage. You will get many replies saying the TD5 is junk and go the 300 tdi. However many people on this forum have an aversion to any form of electronics.

Anyway, the TD5 is a pretty well known unit now, most issues are known and can be dealt with. There shouldn't really be any surprises. The electronics that control the engine are extremely reliable (with the exception of oil in the loom which is easily monitored and fixed). In the discos there are other electronics that give troubles, but the Td5 in the defender rarely rates a mention.

Yes, they go well too, as you know and are economical. As a positive, they are direct injection, not common rail (as I now understand) which apparently makes them more tolerant of water in the fuel than some newer diesels (including the puma).

As per usual, try and get the newest one you can afford and maintain it well.

Originally Posted by Sitec

Hey all. Ok, I'm new to all this forum stuff but I've had a crash course on the VW site so not to new!! I've owned a string of Land Rovers in the UK from a Ser 1 V8 to a 101 with a 6 litre Nissan diesel. I've also had several Defenders but never one fitted with a Td5... I've heard lots of good and bad comments (more bad than good in the UK) about this engine. Now I'm here down under (and lovin it) I want another Land Rover (there's no shaking them), and a Defender 130 double cab fits the bill. Not only that, the sound of a chipped Td5 is awesome (check out Td5alive.com). So tell me what you think of this engine out here. Does it stick the heat and abuse?? Are the electrics reliable/understandable/affordable or do I buy a Tdi????? Thanks!!

I know of a chipped TD5 130, nice fast car

Well im on to my second Defender the first being a Tdi which was reliable but slow , I now have a Td5 110 and mate all ill say is i would never go back to a Tdi .

The Td5 Fender has been a absolute dream in every way no dramas what so ever and yes im sold on the Td5 now

Good tough engine, try and go for 2001/2002 onward, as early examples weren't quite as reliable IME.

You would be hard pressed to find a more efficient and powerful (When chipped) 2.5 litre diesel engine in a 4x4 in this country.

A 130, 2002 (still with Salisbury rear diff), chipped and upgraded intercooler/ exhaust would be my pick if you want a later vehicle, otherwise a 1998/99 Tdi version would be a good option, but slow when fully loaded and hard to get a good example now...

JC

get one in my03 spec or better.

170ish K Km and other than oil in the harness and ford tosser mechanics doing the serviceing it hasnt missed a beat.

you will get the defender version of the 3 amigos and this is usually caused by a build up of crap on the rear tone rings or a wire connection gone dodgey. easy enough to fix and it doesnt lock out like the discos version, if it gets a clean read on a restart it turns the lights off, logs a fault and just keeps on going.

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

get one in my03 spec or better.


you will get the defender version of the 3 amigos and this is usually caused by a build up of crap on the rear tone rings or a wire connection gone dodgey. easy enough to fix and it doesnt lock out like the discos version, if it gets a clean read on a restart it turns the lights off, logs a fault and just keeps on going.

Not on the 130 you won't. No ABS or any of that other stuff.

Cheers, Mick.

ahh, ID missed the 130 bit...

my bad, disregard the ABS bit.

Over the last 10yrs i have had 3 TD5 D2's,all bought new & have never had an engine problem ever.
If you pick one up that has been serviced correctly & as said as young as possible,you should be ok.
You will probably have to pay big money for a good one as they hold thier value well.
Keep the correct maintenence up & you will get a good run out of it.Make sure you fit an engine saver as overheating is the major cause of problems with these engines.Once the temp guage says i am hot its too late.

Oil in the harness,enginemounts needing replacing,& a few other issues will eventually occur,but are relatively easy fixes,& are well documented on this site.

The one i have now has been chipped for the last 18months or so & pulls much better with fuel economy unchanged.
Injector problems & bottom end problems with these engines are almost non existent.
Arrr that brings me to the oil pump bolt that should be checked for peace of mind,this problem is also well documented on this site.

As for the 3 amigos,they have never visited,& my vehicles have done a lot of off road work.