Td5 Cooling

[cam.mclay@bigpond.com]

I've got a 99 130 Defender Duel Cab. I live in Geraldton WA and last week did a trip to Perth about 430 k's. Coming back two days later I had done about 100k's and the temperature guage moved up to high. I pulled over and coolant was coming out thru the overflow tank. I then limped the rest the next 330 k's at about 70kph and stopping every 20 to 30 k's. Since then I have had the radiator flushed and a new thermostat put in. Bringing the car home from the radiator place the over flow started bubling after 10 k's - just as I got home.

My theory now is the water pump is knackered. My main reason for thinking this is that when the engine is cold and I take the air bleed plug out of the top radiator hose there is no water being pushed out -only the trickle from gravity from the overflow tank. Before I ****-fart about pulling the water pump out I would appreciate anybodies thoughts on this matter.

[whisky]

Hi you,

Did you Check the presure In the coolent system?

I had kind of the same problem, the sill between the head and the block was demeged, I had to replace the sill.

The way to understand is some simple test's:
1. gas in water test.
2. presure test of the coolent system (not working engine, and again when the engine workes).

If the presure gets high when the engine is working, and it mekes the coolent liqued push out of the over flow tank, than it probebly meens you have a problem with the engine head sill that lets air from the chambres (cylinders) get to the coolent system.

any way, dont drive the car untill you solve the problem since it mighet demege the engine block or head or the two of them.

whisky

[djam1]

I would be inclined to take it out to Whyatts and have them check it over.
If a TD5 overheats on the gauge its usually done damage from what I understand.

[Psimpson7]

Must admit I would be thinking its probably done the headgasket I am afraid. How hot did it get? I can't imagine the water pump would fail having had one out recently.

Rgds
Pete

[Jock The Rock]

I'd be inclined to agree with Pete

My brother had a very similar experience with an early model Td5

The early models have plastic head dowels which melt/break when they get hot. This allows the head to move just that little bit which in turn buggers the gasket

Again like you he didn't have oil in the coolant or any of the normal symptoms of head gasket failure. But he was losing coolant like yourself

I would strongly recommend not driving it until your certain it's not the gasket, Td5 heads are expensive ;)

[cam.mclay@bigpond.com]

Thanks for your ideas. I've had the vehicle about a year. I thought it could have been the fan but once the heat goes up the viscous coupling locks rock solid. Everybody I've talked to thinks it pretty unlikely the water pump would pack it in as they don't work very hard but I read on one of the threads that one bloke had taken his apart and one side of the drive key had come away. Plus it will be easier to check the water pump initially than to pull the head off.

Regards,
Cameron

[cam.mclay@bigpond.com]

There is no bubbles or oil in the coolant overflow tank. Well I'm off now to pull the water pump out.
Regards,
Cameron

[Psimpson7]

Good idea to take the water pump out first to have a look. Good luck!

[whisky]

Hi there,

I hope the problem is the pump, but if you can get to a mechanic or get the toll in the pic do the test.

if there is no lick in the system when you aply presure, It meens the system should be fine, If there is increase of presure (above the recomended LR book, I dont remember it now) than you need to chek where the presure comes from.

Now, there are some reasons for the fluid to get too much presure, either there is a block somwhere (one of the hoses is full of something from previos owner) or the sill is no good, anyway. since your engine suffered from to much hit, I run the test, just to know the head is fine. the worse that could happen is a head or block crack and you dont want that to happen ($$$...)

whisky

[cam.mclay@bigpond.com]

Thanks Whisky - I havn't taken the water pump out yet because I was thinking abount your advice and might pressure test the system first.
Regards,
Cameron

[whisky]

what was the problem at the end or more importent how did you fix it?

[cam.mclay@bigpond.com]

Hi Whisky,

The water pump is broken. I took it out yesterday afternoon and the drive lugs have disappeared. I took a photo (as attached). I have not put it back together yet but I think that will solve my problem. Hopefully I havn't done the head gasket as a result of the water pump failing. In the photo the new one with the lugs protruding upwards and the old one with no lugs.

While I was taking the turbo charger off the seemed to be a reasonable amount of oil in the rubber pipe connecting the turbo to the intercooler. There is a bit of play in the impeller shaft. My Defender has done about 205,000km. Has anybody got any ideas how long the turbo should last before they need new seals etc. I'd have to do a bit of research what needs to be overhauled, kits available etc. before I pull it apart.

Regards Cameron McLay 20531

[strangy]

Hi,
Apparently the turbo has a little endfloat as normal.
Though I cant tell you how much! All Td5s and any Turbo diesel with those sort of ks will have a little oil in the pipes and intercooler, so nothing to worry about. Consider a flush for the intercooler at some stage if you are concerned.

looking at your photo it would appear you may have had a very week coolant mix and possibly a leaking seal for some time. Is the bearing seized?
Hope you havent got any further issues with overheating.


Cheers

[whisky]

Well,

I'm happy to say I was wrong (hopefuly). I also hope that will be it.

I'd run the test just to be on the safe side (you'd never know what demage is done from the hitting). I don't know about ausralia but over here it's a small test so thay dont charge for it.

Whisky
(my real name is Yariv Shimron)

[Graz]

If I was in your situation I would be pulling the cylinder head ASAP, Check the hardness, confirm it hasn't got out of shape and correct if required and reinstall with new head bolts and gasket.
An excellent post on this site on how to. Do a search.
A known problem with TD5's
Don't leave until too late like I did, I'm not overly confident in mine now due to seriously over cooking it.
Good luck