New Defender Servicing Opinions?

[inken_dave]

Just wondering what the general consensus is regarding service intervals of the new Defender Puma's? I’ve just had mine two weeks today and just passing 1300km.

Looking at the book, there appears to be no instructions on run-in or special servicing interval even from new! Landrover acknowledge that countries with poor fuel quality have half the service interval, 10000km instead of 20000km.

I'm tempted to change the initial oil much sooner, I assume that it may be a mineral based 'run-in' oil, but going 20000kms on a new engine does sound like a stretch. I know that new engines have a better surface finish after manufacture than older engine have had coming out of the factory, but I cant help but think that these long service intervals are due to European environmental pressures, more than concern for the longevity of your Landi!

What are peoples thoughts?

[bezclez]

Mate, you are about to be inundated with myriad differing pieces of advice.

Here's mine, based on what I've done so far.

Change the factory oil at 1500km, then every 10,000 there after.

I do not care that LR say the engines can cope with 20,000km intervals.

Over a 200,000km service life with oil changes costing roughly $140 the difference is $1400.

That's spread over 10 years. (20k a year)

No brainer for me.

[Green Elephant]

My 2013 puma was delivered to me with a sticker on the windscreen indicating service is due at 3000km.

I guess it really depends on the driving and conditions. If you are in low range a fair bit, I would certainly look at much closer oil change intervals than what factory recommend.

I think an "hourly" figure would make more sense than km travelled... but that is just my humble opinion.

[ozrob]

From a diesel mechanics opinion....
Oil change intervals are dependent on the design of the engine, oil quantity, driving conditions and the quantity of contaminants in the oil after a set mileage,
Technically engines are expensive and oil is cheap....however people do over service engines, if you do 99% of highway driving where the engine is at operation temperature and has time to boil off condensation in the oil, the condensation in the oil reacts with the lead main/big end bearings which causes the oil to become acidic, for 99% highway driving 20,000km for a diesel engine with 5lt of oil in the sump is OK,
But,
20,000km for a engine that drives 20 km a day, the oil should be changed more regularly, say every 10,000km or yearly.

Here is some information about oil.
Car Bibles : The Engine Oil Bible (http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html)

[inken_dave]

Thanks Ozrob!

What is your opinion about the run-in period in terms of duration and oil changes? I was thinking of about 1500-2000km, my engine always run at full temp for at least 30 mins twice a day, with 4wd low range every second day at this stage!

I was not going to tow my 6.0m boat until at least 10000km?

The Landrover book mentions nothing!

[29dinosaur]

Ok Ozrob do I really need to chase down the specific 5w30 oil for a Puma or will any 5w30 oil be ok?

[Loubrey]

29dinour,

Apparently any of the very high end (name brands) fully synthetics will do. Lots claim to meet Ford's Specification but you make up your mind

What motor oils meet Ford specification WSS-M2c913-b (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_motor_oils_meet_Ford_specification_WSS-M2c913-b)

I have however chased down the prescribed oil for my 2.4 Puma

Castrol Magnatec Profesional A5 5W30 in 20 liter

Castrol Magnatec Professional A5 5W-30 is the prime recommendation for use where the Ford WSS-M2C913-A, WSS-M2C913-B or WSS-M2C913-C specification is cited.

Cheers,

Lou

[ozrob]

Ok Ozrob do I really need to chase down the specific 5w30 oil for a Puma or will any 5w30 oil be ok?
According to Castrol, you can use
Castrol Magnatec Diesel 5W-40

CASTROL EDGE PROFESSIONAL C1 5W-30

I would prefer to use a 40w oil in Australia in summer.
According to Castrol the Defender 2.2 has a diesel particulate filter so the above oil from Castrol should be used.

[ozrob]

Thanks Ozrob!

What is your opinion about the run-in period in terms of duration and oil changes? I was thinking of about 1500-2000km, my engine always run at full temp for at least 30 mins twice a day, with 4wd low range every second day at this stage!

I was not going to tow my 6.0m boat until at least 10000km?

The Landrover book mentions nothing!
This is a interesting article referring to breaking in a diesel engine,
TheDieselStop.Com - www.thedieselstop.com (http://www.thedieselstop.com/contents/getitems.php3?Breaking%20in%20a%20Diesel%20Engine)

With the engine oil, just don't use synthetic engine oil during the break-in period.

[fonfe]

The 3000km service is a free oil change and check over that *most dealers do as part of the sale. They are not required to do it by land rover and is just something that some dealers do as a means of saying thanks for buying the car from them. Bit like how some dealers wash and vac every car that goes through the workshop door....common practice in the uk, not so much over here.
I personally hate as a tech washing cars but it is nice to hear customers coming back and saying "thanks for the free wash I wasn't expecting that!"

[Defender Mike]

We have been here before. originally when I picked up my new 2012 the service interval was 10,000k then because of the corporate plan I am on with free servicing they changed to 20,000ks . They (landrover) will not back down on this believe me I have argued the point . So now with 30,000ks coming up I will pay for the service that I believe is necessary and get the next one at 40k free. Now if they tell me something other than oil and filter is required then we will be arguing again.
Mike