Request for help to inspect 130 td5

[towe0609]

Dear All - I am looking to buy a 130 td5 and set it up for touring - but I left home too young to learn much about car mechanics from my Dad, and have never had anyone around to teach me - so I'm always exposed when buying cars. My father in law has taught me how to do a basic service on my 75 series Landcruiser (now gone) but that is about it.

I've struck up against a bloke who is opposed to having the vehicle he is selling taken for a RACV check on both philosophical and insurance grounds. I don't think he has anything to hide - just sick of tyre kickers and the run around. RACV don't come to you in the country - you have to take the car to them. I had some experience with RACV checks and am pretty sympathetic to the guys position. I have done what I can without any mechanical knowledge, but given the expense involved I'd really like the opinion of someone who is in the know on defender mechanicals.

Today I tried to get in touch with the only 'independent' LandRover mechanic I know around here (MTE Accessories in Morwell - Ian (Inspector Gadget) McCowat) , but he is too busy (not even taking bookings).

So I'm wondering if there is an enthusiast nearby somewhere who'd be interested in helping me out. There are no millions to be made here, but I'm happy to compensate someone in the same way I would a mechanic (ie some reasonable hourly rate + costs) if that is required.

The vehicle is located in Crossover, to the north east of Warragul, West Gippsland. If anyone is willing to help please get in touch with me on 0417 524 996 or PM me here.

Thanks in advance,

Tim (Land Rover enthusiast in waiting?)

[Rimmer]

Post up the vehicles details, as much as you can aquire.

There is plenty of free advice here if you provide enough info.

You'll receive plenty of detailed things/problems to look for and how too find/diagnose.

Good luck,:)
Tod.

[cucinadio]

no inspection ....walk away .... philosophically its your money and if he doesn't want you to take it there then reasoning would ask why????.... just my 2cent....hope you fine the right one mate, good luck

[cewilson]

I can't make it down that far sorry, and I don't really know the Td5 engine.

However for some things to look for with the rest of it:

Chassis - do a visual inspection - primarily looking at the way it's been looked after. Is there dirt/oil/rust especially in any part of it. Get under the vehicle with a torch and mirror and have a good look.

Firewall - same as the chassis. Very prone to rust. Try and look on both sides - inside cab and engine bay.

Doors - check for rust in the lower half of them. If the drain hole has blocked up the water sits and rusts. The doors are aluminium, but they have a steel frame. Bubbles in the outside pained surface is another give away.

Diffs - look for dents/dirt etc to give you and idea of the life the vehicle has had. If it's been off-road in any amount then there will be marks on the diffs.

Steering components - have a look how much play (movement) you get in the components. There shouldn't be much at all. Check the steering box for leaks - especially on the bottom seal area. That's a good $700 in parts there alone.

Wheels - grab the wheels at the top and push/pull looking for movement. Again there should be minimal movement otherwise the wheel bearings may need adjustment.



Taking it for a drive:


1. Listen for cluncks/noises when accelerating. Treat it mean - brake hard and then come straight back onto the acelerator. You won't hurt it - but it'll let you know pretty quickly if something is wrong.

2. See if it 'floats' (stable) when driving on the bitumen. Does it want to wander left or right, or do you need to steer excessively early for a corner to make it.

3. Make sure you engage low range and also the centre diff lock. Ensure that it all works properly, including light on the dash.





That'll give you a pretty good start anyway, and the guys on here that know the engine will chip in soon enough!




Cheers
Chris

[newhue]

no inspection ....walk away .... philosophically its your money and if he doesn't want you to take it there then reasoning would ask why????.... just my 2cent....hope you fine the right one mate, good luck

I agree, an inspection is generally how we sell cars in this country. If it were up for sale unregistered than that's different.
If he can see you are genuine, than he should get over himself. Other wise should reflect his stubbornness with a good price drop.
I would imagine an RACV inspection, especially the most comprehensive ones, will pick it to pieces. But hey you can do that from brand new.
Regardless of inspection level, you then have an experts point of view on which to make a good decision.
Don't get emotionally attached, well not just yet, it's a 130 and as cool as they are, it's not the only one.

[Grumbles]

I agree with the others. A refusal to an inspection request indicates to me something [big?] is being hidden. The engine might be full of chemi weld and won't survive a big drive to an inspection work shop - and the seller knows it. Even with a low offer the repair cost might exceed the price drop reduction if he did sell it to you. Your wallet might appreciate you walking away and finding another one. But also you might make a point of telling the seller this - he might relent when he sees that you are a genuine LR buyer - that assumes of course that he is genuine too and not full of tricks. Good Luck!

[towe0609]

Just to close this thread off. The seller did in the end get an RACV check done as it was requested by other buyers. The report showed the vehicle was in excellent mechanical condition, but someone else beat me to it, putting a deposit down pending RAVC check, and then paying the full asking price. I went on to but another TD5 130 sight unseen! The end...

[JamesH]

Just to close this thread off. The seller did in the end get an RACV check done as it was requested by other buyers. The report showed the vehicle was in excellent mechanical condition, but someone else beat me to it, putting a deposit down pending RAVC check, and then paying the full asking price. I went on to but another TD5 130 sight unseen! The end...

No, it's the beginning; in a good way, I hope.

[Benny_IIA]

Just to close this thread off. The seller did in the end get an RACV check done as it was requested by other buyers. The report showed the vehicle was in excellent mechanical condition, but someone else beat me to it, putting a deposit down pending RAVC check, and then paying the full asking price. I went on to but another TD5 130 sight unseen! The end...
:rulez: Pic's

[towe0609]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members-rides/120052-towe0609s-130-dual-cab-jaffa.html

[ATH]

When I sold my Td5 Defender the buyer wanted an RACWA check and I said "No" purely because they're crap checks.
We'd had a very nasty experience with them with a car the daughter bought, I said the timing chain was stuffed, they said it was noisy belts...... and then the chain broke causing all sorts of other damage.
No way would they even think about paying for the damage and I wouldn't take anything to them now.
However I wasn't against a check by a decent LR specialist repairer and he got the stealer to do it, they gave it a great report and he couldn't have been more pleased to pay them a 180 bucks.
Glad you've got the vehicle you wanted and good luck with it. I actually wish I'd kept my Defender now.:(
Alan.