Head Gasket - TD5

[johnv]

Hi all

99 TD5 Auto

My local LR mechanic has told me a couple of time now that is almost a sure thing that my head gasket will go at approx 160 -170 K.

I have asked around and have been told that this is not as sure a thing as he is making it out to be

What is the experience and opinion of this forum??

[tombraider]

Seriously, I know of at least 5 TD5s well past 200,000km, one owned by a MLR service advisor.

One well past 300,000kms with no issues.

I'd say he's blowing smoke up your exhaust pipe :twisted:

Cheers
Mike

[RichardK]

A friend of mine is a well respected Landrover mechanic and the general consensis is that the early TD5's do experience head gasket problems around 150K's and need expensive work on the top end and he adds that the oil pump( I think that's what he said) requires replacement. It appears that the later TD5's from around late 02 on do not have that problem.

[johnv]

I am from WA also, so I bet that your friend is the same one that told me. Does he have a work shop in Bentley??

[RichardK]

Yep, and is a very genuine bloke. We were just discussing your subject a week or so ago because his B-I-L mentioned that I should get my D2's done before we go on the CSR but I was told that the later D2's don't seem to have that problem.

[Frenchie]

I was under the impression that it was early models (up to '99?? not sure), that had the plastic head locating dowels. They were replaced with steel ones after some early problems.

[Slunnie]

Thats correct, though it seems they didn't change over to the steel ones until fairly late.

[LandyAndy]

Hi Richard
Next time you are talking to your mate could you find out how much aprox to do the headgasket,mines got 201000 and is running perfect.I wouldnt mind heading up to the Kimberlys in winter to visit a mate,sounds like it could be worth doing whilst everything is running well,seen as the TD5 is a throw away motor once it cops big damage.
Andrew

[RichardK]

Originally posted by LandyAndy
Hi Richard
Next time you are talking to your mate could you find out how much aprox to do the headgasket,mines got 201000 and is running perfect.I wouldnt mind heading up to the Kimberlys in winter to visit a mate,sounds like it could be worth doing whilst everything is running well,seen as the TD5 is a throw away motor once it cops big damage.
Andrew

Andrew,
Do you know the history of Black Betty?

Is it a local (WA) vehicle?

[stevo]

I also have a td5 auto 99 disco,you would think there would be info on what serial numbers had the plastic dowels (what were they thinking!!)
my car has hit the 150 000 mark and planning a trip next year to cape york so would like to know if there is no suprises around the corner.

With caterpiller you know what is in the various components and when
changes or modifications were done by using the serial numbers.

[Dac]

I was told by Graeme Coopers in Sydney to expect $2700 for a head gasket replacement.

[septimus]

My head gasket went, head was cracked also. The head was repaired (even though current belief amongst many is that it can't be done) luckily as it seems I would have had to wait for one to be brought in from the UK!

Total cost including GST was $3,727 and that included the head repair, new injector harness, disc pads, full lube and oil change, new expansion tank, coolant, fuel filter, fuel block assembly, labour, etc, etc, etc.

One of the biggest cost items is the cylinder head bolts that MUST be replaced when the head is taken off. There are 12 of them and they cost me $26.30 each plus GST.

Of course if I had the repairs done by a dealer the cost would probably have been at least double...

[LandyAndy]

Hi Richard
Yes its a WA vehicle,from Broome.All services done by Southern Landrover,except 2 that were done in Broome but not one after the other.Thats the best thing about the Ks on this vehicle,its obviously done alot of its time driving between Perth and Broome.The last major service was done at 197000ks,it had a very good report from Southern Landrover,worst being a seep from both pinion seals.Synthetic oils used in all engine oil changes.
Andrew

[RichardK]

Andrew,
I may be able to find out if Black Betty has had a head job (?)

Will let you know on the weekend

[LandyAndy]

Hi Richard
That would be great,I would love to know any details from her dark past.
More info,previous owner "Mr Tieeums Broome",original rego BM 401.There is 1 recall sticker on the drivers door hinge pillar,plus remains of 5 or 6 others,so I would say all the official recalls are done,last one was to replase the ABS.It has had a minor bingle on the LHS involving the 2 doors and rear 1/4 panel.
AT LEAST SHE SHOULD KNOW HER WAY HOME TO BROOME 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
Andrew

[feral]

Andrew,
If you take all your vehicle details to a Landrover service centre they can get all the recall and services that have been done at any LR service centres through the Vehicle serial number. Also, your manual has a change of owner form which you can fill out. This puts you on the Landrover mailing list and any further warranty or recall issues you will be notified by mailout.

Cheers,
Lyndon.

[p38arover]

Originally posted by LandyAndy
.... all the official recalls are done,last one was to replase the ABS.

I think the D2 ABS recall was to replace a couple of metal discs visible on the upper side of the ABS unit with thicker metal discs.

Ron

[feral]

Originally posted by p38arover+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(p38arover)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-LandyAndy
.... all the official recalls are done,last one was to replase the ABS.

I think the D2 ABS recall was to replace a couple of metal discs visible on the upper side of the ABS unit with thicker metal discs.

Ron[/b][/quote]

This is correct. The plates were originally held by plastic clips which could not handle the pressure when the ABS was under extreme use. The plates would pop off and braking pressure and fluid would be lost. This obviously would only occur when desending and the ABS is going off continuously.
Its a ten minute job to fix.

Cheers,
Lyndon.

[LandyAndy]

Thanks Lyndon
I will fill out the form and post it.
Andrew

[Sith]

Spoke today with 2 different L/R specialists over here in W.A.
Purcell auto's ....Guest and Puddy ....

both stated they new of head drama's with the early TD5 , only when over ehated due to hose failures and these should be done prior to 130,000km services

both have seen examples off 99-2002 models with inexcess of 220,000 km on them with no drama's .

at no time have they seen any just go without being provoked .....the plastic dowel goes due to heat .

[cwebb]

Hi Sith

I would have to say I am slightly more relieved at hearing that!
So doing some preventative maintenance on the coolant hoses can certainly prevent a sudden over-heat, saving mega-bucks by the sound of it. Only Land Rover would use plastic inside an engine, wouldn't they?!

[tombraider]

The worst thing on modern engines is the spring clip clamps they use.

Rip them off and fit good strong Jubilee clamps 8)

John Cadogan (4wd Monthly) nearly lost his Defender engine due to a little clamp breaking on an almost new vehicle.

Cheers
Mike

[johnv]

Hi All


Thanks for all the replies


I don't know the complete history of my LR, but I have almost cooked it once my self

A pinhole in the hose to the oil cooler. Was 100 Km away from completing a 16000 KM trip when I lost power.

I assume the engine put it self into a shutdown mode. That was when the engine had done about 120K. I am now on approx 160 K without any issues.

BTW my bus is in for some minor front end facial repairs after the other half tried to push her way through a closed gate the other week.

As part of the deal I got the repairer to remove the radiator and I am getting it opened up and serviced as part of "regular maintainence". Should be interesting to here about the condition of the inside of the radiator.

If its has more than "normal" scale in it, I'll be a little concerned, otherwise I will breath easy