1999 deefer 110 td5 ... personal opinions?

[5teve]

Hi Guys

just been to look at a very clean looking td5 99 defender 110. done about 135k k's and service history is unknown (i assume it has one until im told it doesnt) Lots of accesories (winch, tjm bar, dual long range tanks, dual tyre carrier on rear, matching tyres on nice mags, drawer set in rear)

seems dry underneath except round the front dif and the gearbox, but thats just merely damp..

now the downside...

Its been cleaned, the usual detailers clean.. chassis blacked, armoralled etc etc.. but under the mats there is LOTS of red dirt and sand no real signs of rust tho... just screws etc rusty in the floor well, drivers side door has 2 BIG patches of rust on the underside but i think thats fairly normal..

rest of it seems tidy.. except a few dents..

i know the '99 td5 has a few things to look out for (having a 2002 one in the discoII), namely the old oil in harness, and the head slipping around with the plastic dowels..

anything else i need to look for on this vehicle / engne combo?

also can i use a 2003 disco II ecu on it if i so decide? (i have a spare one knocking around! and a nanocom)

Thanks in advance any advice appreciated!

Steve

[Psimpson7]

The ecu can be used, but the temp gauge will go backwards, and if you have ABS/ETC it wont work.

Rgds
Pete

[x-box]

I have a 1999 TD5 110, 200+k's on it and no problems apart from normal stuff like rust in door frames, clutch, master and slave cylinders etc etc. I don't kill it and don't nurse it to death either. Has some rusty bolts and nuts on it, rattles etc, but a great wagon - ready for the hills/sand/mud/desert.
It has an early BD chip but i'd prefer a later model ECU in it (working on that), and the usual slop in the drivetrain - engine is still sweet.
So if you get it for a good price, and it has all the fruit - then go for it i'd say!

[Psimpson7]

Does it have ABS/ETC. If not they are very simple and easy to work on. Check for a service history and keep on top of the cooling system. They dont like being overheated.

Will have a Salisbury rear end so thats good.

Check the rear wheel carries hasnt cracked the face of the rear crossmember.. some of them do

[Bundalene]

I just hate it when they clean them like that.

Red sand under the mats is way better than beach sand - just means the vehicle has been out in the bush or "the center", not likely to be a source of corrosion.

Go for a test run - say 10kms and then look to see if there is dampness around the fuel pressure regulator - right hand side of the engine towards the firewall. Also check for an oil leak between the gearbox and transfer. Both these are not uncommon.

Our daughter had a 99 model with 180,000kms and it is going great - does get a lot of TLC but also the worst roads around.

Erich

[5teve]

thanks guys

i have a nanocom, so can sort the ecu out anyway.. it doesnt have abs etc.. and yes has a salisbury rear on it.

I had another look over it.. seems ok bit of rust on the chassis but nothing too major, didnt check the carrier tho.. it had dual batteries too..

fuel regulator is leaking on the disco and its damp on the deefer too..

worst bit is the oil in the harness... very obvious, not picked up by the workshop, and will need sorting out, oh that and the cracked screen but apparently there is one on the way.

oh no log books either, but does have a service sticker on it.

hmmm.. thinking thinking

EDIT - forgot to say the hinges on the window are somewhat corroded and it looks like a bit of corrosion (little finger end size) has started bubbling directly behind it. doesnt look too nasty tho.

Thanks

Steve

Another update:-

2 years ago it had the Oil cooler and Rad replaced, due to the oil cooler bleeding oil into the cooling system, then a couple of months ago it also had the head done (in Karratha somewhere??) they think it was weeping and being topped up with Tap water :O

this may change things.. but may just mean i dont have to do the head :) is there any reason why a small amount of oil should leak from the head at the rear just above the fuel pressure reg?

[Benny_IIA]

Hi Guys



also can i use a 2003 disco II ecu on it if i so decide? (i have a spare one knocking around! and a nanocom)

Thanks in advance any advice appreciated!

Steve


The ECU must be from a manual, as autos and manuals are differnet.


Ben....

[5teve]

The ECU must be from a manual, as autos and manuals are differnet.


Ben....

tis from a manual fortunately! :)

Thanks

Steve

[5teve]

had a final look on friday... its a DOG

i noticed expansion cap lid was off... dipped my fingers in and out they came covered in thick black sludge.. so im guessing its about 2k's off a new engine or serious work... i aint gonna pay 20k for it especially as the sales guy was sitting there telling me its had a full workshop inspection and been checked over by a local landrover repair facility

if you have been to look at it... be warned!

one very dissapointed

Steve

[D90]

LAND ROVER DEFENDER 110 Td5 (4x4) - Trading Post (http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Automotive/Used-Cars/4WD-Wagons-SUVs/AdNumber=D1035700094055?BackToResult=true&AdOnTop)=

I was going to look at this one and i just read this post..
Sounds to me like the same car. It now has 10K more KM on the clock.
Sounds a bit dodgy to me. Thoughts?
Thanks

[5teve]

i'd be very surprised if it has got another 10000k's on the clock... i dont think it would of survived it... maybe they just made it more accurate! its a nice vehicle... but it really does need a whole new head and motor rebuild.. worth a look though if you are passing that way... i'd be guessing that they would of heavily flushed the motor to get rid of traces of oil.. unless they have renewed the head.. as its 2k more than it was originally up for.. so minus 5k for a head they only lose 3k on the original price... which im sure they could afford it.

It DOES have full service tho... but thats sitting at the original dealers that sold it to this mob... it also has a shed load of extras!

Let me know if you go and see it...

Steve

[D90]

Thanks steve.
Is it for sale at the same place you looked at it 3 months ago or has it changed hands?
Is there a way of telling if they carried out the work to fix the problem??
Im might head up there tomorrow night.
Thanks

[5teve]

yeah its back at the same place...

im hoping they fixed the head as it was parked up out the back for a few days and then dissappeared. but it was september so would be surprised if they took so long to do the head.

Not sure if you could tell, as the head was very very clean (probably from where it had been apparently welded up, i spoke to the guy that used to service it and he said the head had been temporarily fixed by welding in karratha, however i called everyone that could of done that and nobody had heard of it)

i guess the only way is front up to him and ask him if he has replaced it cause you are aware of the history. Im pretty sure he wont give you a straight answer tho. When i dipped my fingers in the sludge in the tank both the sales guys went inside and didnt come back out until i had gone.

Im sure someone else would be able to say.. maybe if he says yes ask where and get to see the receipts.. oh and get a warranty :)

let me know how it goes... if it is fixed it would be a very good buy... i think! too late for me tho as i have my nice shiney blue defender to play with now!

Steve

[D90]

I spoke to the dealer and he said that the sold it a traded it back since september! You were spot on about it having problems..
He said they have just spent a lot of $$ on it. He gave the details of were the work wa carried out... spoke to them and even they said it was a lemon.
Will have to keep waiting for another one i guess!!
Thanks

[incisor]

love this from the original advert


BUY WITH CONFIDENCE AT *************** AUTOS

[5teve]

if they have fixed it... it shouldnt be a lemon... shouldnt!

depends if they have spent the right money.... at the right place!

gotta be worth a look surely :)

Steve