PDA

View Full Version : Big Td5 issues, coolant full of Diesel



Isaac12277
11th January 2016, 10:54 PM
Hi everyone,

This is my very first post so please excuse me and my apologies in advance if I'm not quite up to speed. basically I spent roughly 6 months sourcing a quality 300tdi or Td5, travelled all over NSW and viewed plenty of obvious lemons but just as I was losing hope I found what I thought to be a gem. 2000 Td5 full service history, 160xxx kms, very well looked after with zero signs of abuse (looked after its whole life by Bruce Davis in Sydney.) To my dismay approximately one month after purchase, the vehicle was dropping into what seemed to be a limp mode (very rough running, loss of power) which I in turn checked the common faults such as injector harness/oil at the plug etc before I took it to be properly diagnosed by an agent recommended by Bruce Davis as I could not risk the drive to Sydney (breakdown imminent.) Upon final diagnosis the cylinder head had cracked internally and as a result the cooling system was full of diesel, just about blew the cap on the expansion tank and all there was that much in there... The head is being replaced with a higher quality aftermarket example to hopefully avoid this happening again however I've been presented with the quick fix, ie, simply replace the head and all associated single use-parts OR to do the job properly with the long term in mind which they state involves the new head, new water pump, new radiator, all new hoses and a new fuel cooler (well rebuild kit, a brand new one is $990!!!) all due to the diesel contamination. I am not trying to undermine this agent/workshop they have been nothing but genuine, kind and extremely explanatory regarding everything, happy to have me in the shop to explain such a large job while the head was out and answer all questions. All up the job will come in around $6800 (this also includes doing the oil pump bolt to be safe and machining the manifold, top quality parts all round, $1600 labour charge) which for a Social Worker like myself is a punch in the nose and the consistently low bank balance, but for the things we love I am willing to pay this amount off in order to keep the vehicle for the very long term. I did consider an engine swap but due to the low KMS and excellent condition of EVERYTHING prior to this issue I was very reluctant. I just wanted to run this by AULRO as I know there are some veterans on here that will be able to spot/smell anything that doesn't seem quite right as my previous workshop experienced involved electrics not mechanics. I am truly hoping this is the early horror story I have to deal with prior to years of great times because the month prior to this incident you could not wipe the smile off my face behind the wheel.

Cheers!
-Isaac.

Slunnie
12th January 2016, 12:35 PM
Cant they just flush it? Personally, I just did the head but I didnt have diesel in the coolant.

Isaac12277
12th January 2016, 01:34 PM
Cant they just flush it? Personally, I just did the head but I didnt have diesel in the coolant.

Slunnie, that was mentioned as an option but put forward to me as a very short term fix, because of the amount of diesel in the coolant (literally overflowing from the header cap) they stated the hoses had already begun to swell and said the seals in the water pump/radiator and cooler hoses would suffer a similar fate.

They also highlighted that the labour involved in replacing all hoses would be significantly less with the motor in pieces as opposed to pulling things apart at a later date (although the hoses I could absolutely do myself.) My thoughts were for the longer term and not wishing to be broken down in the desert/remote beach with my partner due to these secondary issues the cracked head has produced.

Tombie
12th January 2016, 02:10 PM
Cant they just flush it? Personally, I just did the head but I didnt have diesel in the coolant.

Seals / Hoses etc dont like Diesel... ;);)

gavinwibrow
12th January 2016, 02:33 PM
Don't know if this helps, but I had a somewhat similar heartbreaking dilemma (but more motor related) at 153K km not long after purchase and elected for a replacement 2nd hand motor (just after having spent megabucks replacing all the hoses and some upgrade bits), and ended up spending about $12K.
If the car is a keeper, and sounds like it is, then this is a reasonable price for everything listed being done properly/by professionals. If the new head is the Spanish version, then a very good price!

Slunnie
12th January 2016, 02:39 PM
Good point about the diesel breaking everything down.

gavinwibrow
12th January 2016, 02:42 PM
Seals / Hoses etc dont like Diesel... ;);)
Being lazy, is this also true for silicon hoses?

roverv8
12th January 2016, 04:49 PM
I'd be looking at something like this
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/complete-engines-sale/230645-10p-td5-long-engine-mount-barker-sa.html

Surrufus
12th January 2016, 04:59 PM
Do TD5s have a fuel cooler? I thought that was a Puma thing?

The parts break down seems fair to me, and the short or long term fix choice should come down to what you plan to do. Short term fix, and flog the car off. Or commit to the full build, and keep the car as long as it keeps going.

I don't envy you the decision either way.

DeeJay
12th January 2016, 06:12 PM
Having sourced a Spanish TD5 head thru Turner Engineering & done a very similar job myself a couple of years ago ( radiator & fuel cooler, thermostat & pump plus manifold skim) I think that the mob you are dealing with seem to be pretty knowledgeable & priced the job fairly. If I had to do it again, I think I would be pretty happy with paying that kind of $$


I'm very happy with the TD5 after this job... All these issues ( & yours) were due to overheating - probably before you bought it..

Isaac12277
12th January 2016, 07:51 PM
Don't know if this helps, but I had a somewhat similar heartbreaking dilemma (but more motor related) at 153K km not long after purchase and elected for a replacement 2nd hand motor (just after having spent megabucks replacing all the hoses and some upgrade bits), and ended up spending about $12K.
If the car is a keeper, and sounds like it is, then this is a reasonable price for everything listed being done properly/by professionals. If the new head is the Spanish version, then a very good price!
It is the spanish head, about $2350 for the part alone trade price, was either that or taking my chances with a Reco'd original which after this dillema I was a bit uncomfortable with.


Do TD5s have a fuel cooler? I thought that was a Puma thing?
Sure Do!
The parts break down seems fair to me, and the short or long term fix choice should come down to what you plan to do. Short term fix, and flog the car off. Or commit to the full build, and keep the car as long as it keeps going.

I don't envy you the decision either way.
Cheers for the feedback, exactly my thought process and I absolutely intend to keep the vehicle as long as I can drive it. I'll have to post a pic once I have it returned.

Having sourced a Spanish TD5 head thru Turner Engineering & done a very similar job myself a couple of years ago ( radiator & fuel cooler, thermostat & pump plus manifold skim) I think that the mob you are dealing with seem to be pretty knowledgeable & priced the job fairly. If I had to do it again, I think I would be pretty happy with paying that kind of $$

I'm very happy with the TD5 after this job... All these issues ( & yours) were due to overheating - probably before you bought it..

Excellent feedback thanks for the response! This particular mob specialise specifically in Land Rover and Mahindra. All of what you mentioned will be included in the repairs, the parts list is about a page and a half long. I was told with the 10p's like this it would have been caused by a manufacturing defect but thanks again for the helpful feedback regarding overheating.

Thanks again to everyone for the feedback and my appologies for the rushed response on my break, I cannot rate this forum highly enough. I browsed it extensively over 6 months before I purchased the Defender which was an astronomical help and I am so impressed by such helpful community.
I am having the big job done. As I said I cannot fault the guys doing the job I just thought it may be wise to run it by AULRO and got exactly the response I was after. Time to live like a peasant for a while ;)

towe0609
12th January 2016, 09:02 PM
I had a 1999 TD5 head go with same symptoms (large amounts of diesel in coolant) at 34,000kms having paid a premium for a 2nd hand td5 with only 24,000kms on the clock 12 months previous - so I feel your pain.

I had a very similar but slightly less extensive list of work done at the time (new AMC head, new fuel regulator block, reco fuel cooler, new hoses and thermostat, but only radiator flush and no new water pump) and my bill was around $6,500 in 2011 at an independent land rover specialist.

My advice for what its worth ... get the work done and put it behind you.

defmec
13th January 2016, 07:45 PM
It's a shame you can't find a river crossing that's a bit deeper than you thought .....oops