Plactic Head Dowels

[Defender=1st]

Hey everyone which Td5 motors were fitted with the Plastic Head Dowels ?? does anybody know the years ?? or Vin numbers ?? also is it true some Td5's CANT be fitted with the newer Steel Dowels ?? because it may cause the cylinder head to crack ??? if so how do you know if weather your Td5 can or cant be fitted with the Steel Dowels ?
Thanks in advance
Regards Adrian

[George130]

Never heard about the can't use the steel dowels. I think it was in 02 they switched over.

[Defender=1st]

yer George i hadnt heard of it either untill this morning http://forum.landrovernet.com/showthread.php't=92301 if you read the whole Thread it will say

[sniegy]

Guys,
This is what is done in the workshop, U must follow the tech bulletin (which is in the thread)or cracking of the head may occur. They are just locating dowells & only do that. If u fit the steel ones in most circumstances the head will crack, Not cheap to fix.
If your VIN falls within the range u may refit with steel dowells oherwise stay with the plastic ones.

[Defender=1st]

How do you check if yours had the right VIM Numbers to get the Steel Dowels ?? i always thought the the plastic ones should be ditched for Steel ones asap.
Thanks
Regards Adrian

[justinc]

Hi Adrian,

If you notice the VIN range mentioned in the tech bulletin, it only affects the 2A chassis range between those numbers. There might have been a slight mod to the heads at that time? I guess I'm saying that any dfender before or after those 2A VINs stated can have steel dowels fitted.

:( (I would save up if I was you, as it will happen eventually, and you need to address it BEFORE it has an overheat due to an actual head gasket failure, damaging both the head and possibly the engine itself.):(

:mad::mad::mad::mad:

Just checked the link, I have, like many others fitted steel dowels to ALL the XA onwards Defenders and discos, due to the original plastic dowel failures. ALL are running fine with no cracking, Any one else care to comment on that statement in the landrovernet link?



JC

.

[Defender=1st]

Thanks JC.
also Someone where is the tech bulletin ??:confused:

[sniegy]

This is just copied from the link in the other post as it is basically what u are after.


AFFECTED RANGE:

All Td5 derivatives within VIN ranges:
Discovery Series II (02 Model Year) 2A 736340 to 3A 793895
Defender (02 Model Year) 2A 622424 to 3A 647705

SUBJECT:
CYLINDER HEAD LOCATING DOWELS
Td5 engines fitted to vehicles in the above VIN range are fitted with plastic dowels to locate the cylinder head onto the cylinder block.

Land Rover Engineering has introduced steel locating dowels from the following VIN numbers:
Discovery Series II: 3A 793895
Defender: 3A 647705

INFORMATION:
If a cylinder head is removed from a vehicle in the above VIN range, the plastic dowels must be replaced with new specification steel dowels, which are now available from Land Rover Parts.

CAUTION:
Td5 derivatives prior to the above VIN ranges must not, under any
circumstances, be fitted with the new steel dowels. If steel dowels are fitted to earlier engines, cylinder head cracking may result.

[MW.TD5 Defender]

Mine is a '99 Defender with 160k on the motor. No overheating problems, no coolant leaks or oil in the coolant. If they are just locating dowels surely there is no problems unless you overheat the motor.

Mal

[Slunnie]

I think that may be the key to the TD5 - never ever overheat it.

[Graeme]

You can always make your own steel dowels for the earlier ones, like I did. I took the advice of an engine reconditioning business and used the shank of an 8mm drill bit, cut to the length of the plastic ones. But the plastic only becomes a problem if the head comes loose enough to move.

[stevo]

Bugger will be checking my vin numbers to night as I have fitted the steel dowels when I did my head gasket about 30 000 km's ago.

[George130]

Well when I rebuilt mine it got the metal dowels. It's running fine and I am not removing them now! But then mine is a 2001 so should fall before that range.

[WildOne]

Well when I rebuilt mine it got the metal dowels. It's running fine and I am not removing them now! But then mine is a 2001 so should fall before that range.

CAUTION:
Td5 derivatives prior to the above VIN ranges must not, under any
circumstances, be fitted with the new steel dowels. If steel dowels are fitted to earlier engines, cylinder head cracking may result.

My Td5 is also a 2001 mate and the way i read the caution note it applies to TD5's prior to 2002 that should retain their plastic dowls, hope i'm reading it wrong though.

[George130]

CAUTION:
Td5 derivatives prior to the above VIN ranges must not, under any
circumstances, be fitted with the new steel dowels. If steel dowels are fitted to earlier engines, cylinder head cracking may result.

My Td5 is also a 2001 mate and the way i read the caution note it applies to TD5's prior to 2002 that should retain their plastic dowls, hope i'm reading it wrong though.
So do I. Cost way to much last time so it's not coming apart till it goes bang.

[davros]

Mine had never overheated when it had a slow coolant leak. Had a slow coolant leak for a long time, then started to lose compression, starting roughly, then one day spat its coolant suddenly and cooked. So I've never been sure if the head was cracked beforehand or if it was just the gasket.
:(
Dave

[Defender=1st]

CAUTION:
Td5 derivatives prior to the above VIN ranges must not, under any
circumstances, be fitted with the new steel dowels. If steel dowels are fitted to earlier engines, cylinder head cracking may result.

My Td5 is also a 2001 mate and the way i read the caution note it applies to TD5's prior to 2002 that should retain their plastic dowls, hope i'm reading it wrong though.

So its pretty much saying any Td5 Before 2002 SHOULDNT be fitted with the steel Head dowels ???Mine is a 1999 so its definatley Prior to 2002 but i have been told i can fit the steel Dowels. if i fix them i really couldnt afford a Cracked head. is the Vin Number shown reading from the back to the front the last 8 numbers inwards ??

[justinc]

Mine is a 1999 so its definatley Prior to 2002 but i have been told i can fit the steel Dowels. how do you check ?? if i fix them i really couldnt afford a Cracked head

Adrian, If the head cracks AFTER I fit the steel dowels, AND they are definately the cause, then I would be VERY suprised, as I have done quite a few now and all are well.


JC

[Defender=1st]

Adrian, If the head cracks AFTER I fit the steel dowels, AND they are definately the cause, then I would be VERY suprised, as I have done quite a few now and all are well.


JC
Gday JC i wasnt Doubting you i just wasnt sure as mine is in the model is says shouldnt be fitted with the Steel Dowels. as its prior to 1999 and not in the right VIN range.. i think (VIN range is a but confusing)
Regards Adrian

[George130]

Defender 1st I have done 20,000 since the head rebuild. I spoke with the suppliers and they had no issues. The Local Landy guys didn't either.

[stevo]

wait and see what happens I checked the lengths and they were the same the plastic ones I took out and they were not that hard to install into the block

[justinc]

wait and see what happens I checked the lengths and they were the same the plastic ones I took out and they were not that hard to install into the block



X2

maybe it IS a load of cobblers after all?:mad:
JC