Tdi reliability

[Hobes]

Sorry guys..

just after I bit of hones experieces people have had with any major probs re rovers in general

After doing research on a good, capable econmical vehicle to buy I set my heart on a tdi disco (mid to late s1).. However most of the sites I visited (eg drive.com and nrma) state that if one is buying a landy, they should also invest in a good set of walking shoes.


Obviously they cant really be this bad or their wouldn't be such a diehard following but major probs could I expect? Is it just luck getting a good one?

Is the tdi really as economical as they say.. I am currently getting aroung 19l/100km round town in my v6 pajero.... so anything better than this is welcomed 8O

thanxs

greg

[incisor]

HI

my 95 300tdi gets at best 760k from 69ltr of the oily stuff and at worst (so far) 615k from the same amount of fuel. the worst figures were achieved pulling a trailer loaded with a series iii for several hundred klms.

like almost all brands of vehicle, how long they last is directly related to how well they are looked after in most cases.

the tdi does require more TLC than a toyota donk, but is also outperforms the the toyota donk pound for pound but a substancial figure.

a landrover will require more maintenance than a toyota or nissan, there can be no arguement, but the toyota/nissan competition pale into insignificance when you get off the black stuff, unless you spend big chunks of money on them.

it all depends what you want out of them and how much you are interested in putting in.

:wink:

oh and welcome to the site!

[Bytemrk]

Hobes Wrote:<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Is the tdi really as economical as they say.. I am currently getting aroung 19l/100km round town in my v6 pajero.... so anything better than this is welcomed
[/b][/quote]

G'day Hobes -- 8O 8O 8O That's the same I get from my V8 Disco!! nice to here it's not just us Petrol Landy guys holding up those poor Oil companies style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

But seriously Inc is dead right the Tdi is a sweet motor -- IF YOU MAINTAIN IT. If you really drill those that whinge about landrover reliability - most of them simply don't do the right maintenance - then wonder why it died!

I have a couple of friends with Tdi's that get similar figures to Inc - I try not to talk fuel economy with them ----- It's kind of embarassing :oops:

[CraigE]

I dont agree with incisor, the Tdi does not require anymore maintenance as an engine than any other vehicle. It does however that regular maintenance is kept up as does a Toyota or Nissan. I have seen these engines fail for lack of maint. Regular oil (5000kms), filters (10000kms). The V8s however seem to require significantly more minor maintenance. The 97Tdi Disco I had would have to be one of the best cars I have owned or driven. Land Rover Disco's seem to attract undue criticism from others. I have not seen to many broken down through engine failure. Most often it is the electrics that seem to stop them. I would have another in a minute. Just be aware that if you are looking at something that has done 200,000kms plus some parts will be worn. Look for a good maintenance report making sure that items like timing belts have been replaced regulary as this is one of the items on a poorly looked after Disco or a poorly fitted belt that can let go and do some damage.

[rick130]

My Tdi requires no more maintenance (actually less) than the missus 4.2 TD Patrol. Less oil changes, one less oil filter to buy,
rockers at approx the same intervals, pump some grease into the grease nipples when I think of it (driveline). The only extra it requires is a timing belt every 80 000km.
Some of the suspension bushes have needed to be replaced, whereas the Patrol is still on its (sound) originals, but the Defender has had a tougher life. I've had to replace the coolant tank (it started to split, but hadn't lost any coolant) a welsch plug (! and I've been scrupulous with the correct coolant)
Service parts are cheaper than Nissan (OE LR oil filter is $15 vs about $40+ for just one [combination] Nissan filter, I've found afermarket Nissan filters junk)
The only time it has stuck me up I've been away driving in less than five minutes (corrosion on the fuel cut off solenoid spade connection)
Being pommy built, they do leak, (oil, water, dust) and rattle far more than a Japanese built vehicle. In fact, the build quality is atrocious in comparison, but I knew that when I bought it. I prefer the way it drives, on road and off, and it's been absolutely reliable, but I am comforted that SWMBO drives a Patrol, 'cause I know it won't break down.

[incisor]

example :-

manufacturers recommendations on tappet adjustments.

tdi = every 10,000 klms
nissan 4.2 = every 20,000 klms
toyota = shims, need checking at about 40,000 klms then at 150,000 klms

[rick130]

according to my Tdi service schedule, rockers only need adjusting every 'B' & 'C' service = 12 000miles/20 000km after the initial 'A' (10 000km) service. :wink:

I check them, and haven't actually had to adjust them for a looong time.

[DiscoCam]

I've only had mine for about 15,000kms (now almost 140,000km on the clock) and the only times it has stopped were when the starter solenoid went ($15 fix) and when I lost a belt and it ripped a hole in a radiator hose disconnected aircon etc. ABS is a pain in the arse on mine and I will look to fix that soon. Economy is great, Just put 81l in after doing 740km thats roughly 11l/100km of heavy right foot, city driving with an auto. I feel on a good highway run I'd go close to 1000kms out of a tank.

Anyway, all cars require a 2nd mortgage to run with the cost of fuel/parts/rego/insurance going up daily. I don't think this one costs anymore to keep on the road than any other vehicle of its type.

Cameron

[cols110]

I think the TDI will be the least of your problems, just the usual servicing items. The rest of the body might require a bit more upkeep though.

Our TDI has never missed a beat, but the rest of it usually requires a bit of work, nothing major just lots of small things, if you pay for all of you maintenance, steer clear, but if you dont mind getting your hands dirty you cant go wrong.

[Defender200Tdi]

Originally posted by rick130
according to my Tdi service schedule, rockers only need adjusting every 'B' & 'C' service = 12 000miles/20 000km after the initial 'A' (10 000km) service. :wink:

I check them, and haven't actually had to adjust them for a looong time.

I've had to adjust mine twice in the last 20,000km because they were getting rattly. I did originally fit new valve caps when I did the timing belt change, so I don't know whether they are wearing in and that's the cause for needing frequent adjustment?


Paul style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[rick130]

Don't know, Paul.
How many km's are on the engine ??

Generally speaking, rockers tightening up are indicative of valve recession, and loosening is wear in the cam lobe/lifter/rocker region. (these things use roller lifters, don't they ? I don't know if that makes any difference ?)
They could also just be loosening at the adjusters.

You could get a dial indicator and try to measure the total cam lift, and check it against the book numbers. At least that would eliminate cam wear.

Not too helpful, am I.

cheers,

Rick.

[Defender200Tdi]

Never one for cheery news are you Rick. :wink:

It's only done 160,000, so I don't want to think about cam wear yet. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif

I remember the valve caps being quite domed on top when I put them in, whereas the ones that came out were (obviously) hammered flat. I'm hoping it's just the dome part wearing down a bit.

I know these things knock the valve caps around pretty well, I've heard a few stories where they have worn so much that they've actually fallen off.


Paul style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[shaunp]

They are a roller cam, the wear will be in the lash caps.

[Jojo]

My experience of about 250.000 km with Tdi engines. Fuel consumption between 8 (feather foot) to 12 (fully loaden and with huge trailer) l/km. Major faults: none (but there is still a Landrover attached to the engine, so beware!).
Maintenance: every 10.000 km (oil change and the like), and cambelt at 60.000 km (just for peace of mind).
Great engine I have to say.
Cheers

[rick130]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>They are a roller cam, the wear will be in the lash caps.[/b][/quote]

that sounds much less scary than what I was suggesting, disregard everything I said above, Paul. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif