1st Service Advice

[Spencer72]

Im coming up for my 1st 20000km service on my 2013 Defender 110.

I have a few issues which I will be addressing:

- When fill up tank it starts spilling out of the underbelly of the tank. Have had it looked at and believe to be something to do with the breather hose.

- When accelerating, I have a rattle in the motor area situated around the front passenger footwell. Have no idea what it is. Any thoughts?

- Clutch concerns. I tow a Swan Outback and only after a couple of reverse positions, the clutch starts smoking. How should I approach the dealership on this one? It feels clunky as.

- Any recall advice or warranty issues??? I believe there is one that is to do with the gears especially when changing from 1st to 2nd to make it a lot smoother. Any recall or warranty matters advice would be appreciated.

Im not mechanically minded so simple the better.

[Sue]

There doesn't appear to be any official recalls on the 2013 Defender as yet.. you can check it here. Land rover recalls (http://www.recalls.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/952880/fromItemId/952855)

Is this the first service the car has had? You didn't get it serviced at 10,000kms??..

I have no idea about the rattle but I did have my clutch replaced as it was also 'clunky' and I know a few others that had the same problems (with the same result) so it seems to be a fairly common fix. The dealers that replaced them didn't quibble over it so if yours has the same problem then you shouldn't have a problem getting it seen to. I'm not sure why your clutch is smoking when reversing while towing.. I do a lot of towing and I've never had that problem.. you're not riding it by any chance??..

I wouldn't worry about whether you'll get your issues fixed too much, from my personal experience it's never been a problem for Land Rover to fix anything that wasn't right. :)

[Samblers]

All of those are warranty issues, LR's problem. Barbagellos have been very good about sorting my issues out (no quibbles) but may require repeat visits and a persistent/firm but fair approach. Parts come from Melbourne typically, hence repeat visits.

Issue 1 - search my posts. LR didn't fix this within my warranty period... i believe its a faulty anti-roll over valve inside the tank itself but cant prove/disprove this. Dont let Barbagellos tell you this is normal. My post details a post-warranty fix/ work-around.

Regarding smooth gear changes/ drive train rattles/knocks I think ALL LR DEALERSHIPS should be absolute masters in chasing down the sloppy drivetrain problems, given the amount of warranty work discussed on here.

Good Luck

[PAT303]

I'd be worried about smoking the clutch,mate seriously reverse in low range and don't ride the clutch,it's not a warranty repair.Barbagallo's are excellent with warranty,do yourself a favour and get them to service your vehicle and no one else,they will look after you. Pat

[Drover]

What Pat said, reverse in low range.

I would be very cautious when telling the dealer about your "smoking clutch"......it does sound like your riding it & if so it's not warranty.

I would probably limit your clutch storey to " It very clunky and doesn't seem quite right......"

Good luck

[BilboBoggles]

The thing with a defender that's different to cars is that you don't need to use the throttle when you are easing out the clutch, particularly when nudging around in 1st and reverse. The Antistall will do a great job at not stalling, and particularly in 1st and reverse it's damned hard to find a slope it won't go over without slipping the clutch. Especially in Low range a PUMA is absolutely unstoppable even without throttle just let the clutch out. There's a video somewhere floating around with a PUMA towing a 40 ton truck in low range idle without a driver - somehwere there was another video where they drove it up to a wall and let the clutch out on tarmac, and it just spun the wheels. (You don't want to do that though or you will twist an axle).

[ezyrama]

Hi Spencer

My MY12 did the rattle in the passengers footwell thing, Bruce Lynton's here on the Goldie told me the front drive shaft bolts weren't torqued up properly. All fixed now. My clutch used to stink out the car when reversing the camper away so I just use low range now whenever I have to reverse up a steep incline and all is good.

Regards Ian
A Land Rover is for LIFE - not just for Christmas
If my wife was this dirty, I'd have stayed at home!

[LR V8]

Is this the first service the car has had? You didn't get it serviced at 10,000kms??..



It's 20K now for the first....

Pete

[Camp Oven]

May I suggest that you place marker paint on the filler plugs of front and rear axles/diffs and transfer case/box before vehicle goes for service. Take photo`s and save. Have a look when you take delivery and see if plugs have been removed to check level. Reason, have found in some threads that oil level in some vehicles have been low and a couple with none!! Oil change is 80,000K`s for the above. There could be a service person who see`s no oil leaks and does not remove a level plug, but still TICKS the box as OK!!
I have seen first hand a T/case at 80k drain more bronze in the oil than on Bondi in the summer time. Appears to be low oil ie half empty. The vehicle has had all services done by Land Rover Dealers to 70k and 80k by owner and out of warranty. The gear box is a good one, I believe there is NO level plug, and 200,000k oil change. When the oil is changed just the right amount of oil is put in the fill only plug hole. Will be searching threads for a better way for levels. If you do extreme driving more oil changes required. Hope that throws some light. Cheers CO

[Spencer72]

Cheers guys for info. Did not have any idea about using low for reversing. The info on what to say re clutch invaluable, I would have spilt my guts.

Anymore please let me know.

All you Perth guys, is there any group that do specific LR 4WD course or even orientation? I have had the car for 6 months but still learning.

Im off to Coral Bay towing camper and want to get it right by then.

[AussieAub]

All you Perth guys, is there any group that do specific LR 4WD course or even orientation? I have had the car for 6 months but still learning.

Im off to Coral Bay towing camper and want to get it right by then.

Not so much a "specific LR course", but come join the guys for a chat at TeamW4, we're ALL Land Rover drivers and most of the guys have some invaluable info on getting the most out of the marque.
Join us on a trip or two and you'll soon be learning all the ins and outs of your Defender.

There's a meeting tonight (Tuesday 17th June) at The Kewdale Tavern in Kewdale if you're anywhere near and free, you and anyonbe else would be more than welcome.
Check the TeamW4 website (http://teamw4.com/club-meetings/) out for more details.

Cheers,