Whatdya reckon?

[blackapache]

So to start with Im thinking head gasket, my 2000 deefer td5 has 285,000km on the clock. Its running TD5 Insides upgraded ECU and map, also have Joses variable geometry turbo and 35" tyres shes had a bunch of other mods inc the exhaust manifold deweb and slot. Ive also got allisport cooler and an aluminium 2 row (big rows) rad. All thermostats, viscous bearings and pulleys etc are new, new loom (no oil) so nothing else that i can think of thatd be doing this

Anyways 3 weeks ago i towed an F100 on a car trailer from the central coast to my property near murwillumbah, it was a heavy load id say close to 2.5-3t monitoring on nanocom saw temps up to 102-103 on really long hills but only momentarily. Im definitely getting some surging under load now though. White smoke sputtering in time with the surging and the welch plug at the manifold is leaking too. I dont think the headd ever come off so thinking ive got the plastic dowel issue. Ive got dome injector wadhers ive been meaning to do anyways but any thoughts? Im definitely down on power my trucks fuel map is anything but tame but its definitely hesitating and tired under load

[blackapache]

Anyone? No ones game to bite?

[rick130]

Hey mate,

are you losing water ?

Bubbles in the expansion tank ?

Can you do a compression test ?

Sniff test at the expansion tank ?

White smoke is a combustion issue, not always water, can be crook fuel too.
TD5's can have injector lobe issues too, although I haven't heard of one for a while. Daz or JC could advise better there.

re responses, you'll find half the regulars are on the road to Melrose, SA ATM. ;)

[blackapache]

Hey mate,

are you losing water ?

Bubbles in the expansion tank ?

Can you do a compression test ?

Sniff test at the expansion tank ?

White smoke is a combustion issue, not always water, can be crook fuel too.
TD5's can have injector lobe issues too, although I haven't heard of one for a while. Daz or JC could advise better there.

re responses, you'll find half the regulars are on the road to Melrose, SA ATM. ;)


thought it was a little quiet, cheers Rick.

yeah it's a funny one, I'm not losing coolant, not making oil, coolant smells and looks good, I only fill up at the same place in murwillumbah though with the recent floods that could be a possibility, checked the fuel filter though and nothing in there at all. I'm not set up to do a compression test ATM but might have to get one done. Ive got injector washers etc to do so might just pull it down and see what it looks like in there.. thanks for the good tips though gives me a starting point at least

[blackapache]

Well alls well that ends well, turns out it was dodgy fuel, I drained and checked some and spoke to my local servo - who were under water recently and it seems water contamination has been an issue so I've sorted it out it appears and alls back to normal. For now anyways... it is a defender after all[bigwhistle]

[REDTD5110]

I wouldn't be worried about 103 degrees, especially seeing as you were towing a heavy load uphill.

You didn't mention the condition of the water pump, so if it does start to have cooling issues (especially at idle) it's a possible suspect

[blackapache]

I wouldn't be worried about 103 degrees, especially seeing as you were towing a heavy load uphill.

You didn't mention the condition of the water pump, so if it does start to have cooling issues (especially at idle) it's a possible suspect

Yeah cheers, I never really see what guys state as a "high temperature" plenty of threads on what happens after the head gasket shuffle but not many on what it takes to get there. Ive got all new thermostat, rad, hoses etc but I haven't done the water pump, when I pulled it off it looked fine internally. Might be time, though I'm thinking of selling it as Ive got my eye on a 130 so might be throwing money away at this point.

By by the way if anyone knows any 130's for sale I'm all ears, I'm after a cheapie to rebuild. Probably 300tdi this time for something different, and no electrics/minimal electrics so I can rebuild everything myself,
I do love td5's though... mine will light up the wheels even running 35's[bigwhistle] I'm almost double factory horsepower.. Ive not driven a 300tdi but if it's anything like a 200 then it'll be a slug. Maybe I'll just keep the td5 and tow a trailer for work..

[REDTD5110]

Yeah cheers, I never really see what guys state as a "high temperature" plenty of threads on what happens after the head gasket shuffle but not many on what it takes to get there. Ive got all new thermostat, rad, hoses etc but I haven't done the water pump, when I pulled it off it looked fine internally. Might be time, though I'm thinking of selling it as Ive got my eye on a 130 so might be throwing money away at this point.

By by the way if anyone knows any 130's for sale I'm all ears, I'm after a cheapie to rebuild. Probably 300tdi this time for something different, and no electrics/minimal electrics so I can rebuild everything myself,
I do love td5's though... mine will light up the wheels even running 35's[bigwhistle] I'm almost double factory horsepower.. Ive not driven a 300tdi but if it's anything like a 200 then it'll be a slug. Maybe I'll just keep the td5 and tow a trailer for work..



From what I've read and my understanding of it, much above 105 degrees and I'd start worrying.

Yep, my td5 is definitely better than my brother's 300tdi (both stock engines though)

[rick130]

Ive not driven a 300tdi but if it's anything like a 200 then it'll be a slug. Maybe I'll just keep the td5 and tow a trailer for work..

Slugs they are stock !

They respond well to pump tweaking, you can port the head, plus a bigger IC, big exhaust and a VNT is available too.

The basic design isn't as robust as the TD5 IMO, but they are a good, honest engine.
Turn the power up too much (too high cylinder pressures I'm guessing) and you'll start to do big ends in about 100,000km.
I turned the fuel right up, ported an AMC head and fitted a 3" pipe and it made a big difference to performance without taking anything away from the fuel economy.
A decent IC and better turbo would've helped a lot more.