TD5 Head checklist / confirmation

[david_m]

Seems my 99' TD5 Defender 130 has finally asked me to do some overdue head work. It has 250K on the clock and had the plastic dowels done around 130/140. I thought I would just stop by here to double check I am on the right track.

TD5 has been losing coolant since I got it at the start of the year. Not bad, just kept an eye on it at all times. No power loss (its chipped and has lots of power), no engine oil loss/gain, no smoke. In fact, other than blowing coolant out here and there everything
is in order. Cooling system is over pressurised, hoses get quite firm. Diagnosis by various shops has been head gasket or cracked head.

So with the cooling system over pressurised for too long my water pump has finally let go and I figure the fuel cooler o-rings are probably unhappy as well.

My plan follows.

Pull the head off and check it out, get it hardness/pressure/crack tested (any recommendations in Brisbane?)
If the head is ok, have it skimmed, get the valve guides etc done (again recommendations appreciated)

After skimming do you still fit the same thickness head gasket ?

If the head is toast a new AMC head + install kit seems the way to go. It seems this could be the favoured option rather than clean up a 250k head.

fit a new water pump and all o-rings,
New fuel cooler o-rings / clamps.
New coolant tank cap.

Most likely do all cooling system hoses while I am there.

I guess my concern is that I am missing something important and/or perhaps missing something else that could be wrong.

Any advice on must does while in there greatly appreciated as this beast is all new territory for me.

[sierrafery]

Hi, it would be a good move to put a bottle of some dedicated cooling system cleaner into it and drive it with that a day then flush it with water before you remove the head at least you'll have a clean block and radiator for the new head and hoses... (i used Liqui Moly 2051 which is excellent but you can find various good products for that)

[CraigE]

Mine was pretty much exactly the same, just losing a bit of coolant. Pulled the head off to check and found it had cracked internally.
New AMC head and all good again after a few anxious moments.
Should be a thread in here on Now a Head Gasket I think it was and should have a pic of the head.
Hopefully you are lucky and only a gasket.
Cheers
Craig

[david_m]

Thats for the feedback, did the coolant clean. Heater matrix gave up before I started on the head so a little more expense just to make sure I learn my lesson about leaving the head work too long :-)

Well the head is all but off, just the allen key on the front of the head that for the chain tensioner that I missed. This causes the head to almost come off :-) Just figured that out tonight so I will see how the head looks tomorrow hopefully.

Can anyone recommend somewhere in Brisbane to get the head checked ? Western or South Western suburbs preferred. I work near Rocklea so somewhere on that side of town is ideal.

Do they test them with the valves in ? cam on ? or everything stripped ?

Thanks for any feedback.

[discorevy]

strip everything except valves and springs, have a good look at the dowells , if they are plastic and mashed , hopefully thats been your problem , the allen head bolt is for the chain guide , the tensioner is on the other side. What happened to the heater matrix?

[donh54]

Southside Cylinder Head Service off Kessels Rd. Brilliant service, great people.
Ring and talk to them. You can arrange a same day service. They do hardness testing etc.

[CraigE]

If it is a crack externally, you may see it. You can buy dymark crack test kits fairly cheap, spray on type that will highlight even minute cracks. Once the injectors etc are out check around there as they are prone to cracking there as well. You may even see tell tale signs on the gasket or block face. Also look inside the intake and exhaust ports with a decent torch or camera. I was about to get the dymark kit, but saw the coolant in the #2 ports. The advantage of using the red Oat is it stains if released, so immediately knew the head had an internal crack, no need to inspect more, new head required. I tossed up getting it tested but from what I understand was going to be around $200 to get someone to crack test and that was a decent chunk towards the new head.
I found Island to be the cheapest and great service, but Turners are also close if you need a new AMC head.

[david_m]

Thanks to everyone for the pointers.

So the head was pretty easy to get off. Unfortunately one of the captive nuts on the engine cover failed so that took a while to work around. You can see from the pictures that the water jacket on both #3 and #4 has corroded across to the compression ring. #4 is the worst and it was almost certainly causing the leak, you can just feel the damage were is was blowing past the head gasket. #5 is also starting to work its way across. I'll run it into the shop today but I am not to keen to continue with this head given the damage that may not be visible.

I can only think the previous owner (I am the second owner) was not running appropriate coolant for some time. Anyone know if there is a history of this kind of wear on the early TD5's, this is a 99/00 model ?

The star washer that holds the thermostat in the fuel cooler has packed it in as well (rusted) so something else to try and resolve before reassembly.

I think I will be going AMC, other than pre-planning the customs stuff is there anything I should look out for ?

[david_m]

Well, head off and the problem is pretty obvious. Corrosion on #4 from water jacket through to compression ring (can just feel where it was blowing through). #3 was gone or about to and #5 is starting its way across.

Dropped head off at Southside Cylinder Head Service , they said is was no problem to fix if that is all it is. Getting hardness/pressure tested today with some luck. If they say it's repairable then I'll probably go with that, they offer a good warranty on all repairs :-)

[donh54]

Their work is 1st class. I've had a few heads done there over the years, never a problem.

[david_m]

Thanks for sending me their way. Nice and close, easy to work with, and a referral counts a lot IMO :-)

Just got the report back - Hardness is good as new, pressure test is all good, will cost be about $950 with testing and full reco ready to fit, 2yr unlimited K's warranty, probably back in my hands this week. Now to get my top end / head gasket and all the other parts ordered ASAP ;-)

[Tins]

Thanks for sending me their way. Nice and close, easy to work with, and a referral counts a lot IMO :-)

Just got the report back - Hardness is good as new, pressure test is all good, will cost be about $950 with testing and full reco ready to fit, 2yr unlimited K's warranty, probably back in my hands this week. Now to get my top end / head gasket and all the other parts ordered ASAP ;-)

Don't forget the BOLTS!

[david_m]

Thanks - no chance of that given all the info on this site alone :-)