Thread: query - TD5 Oil Change Intervals Time vs Km?

You're right, the synthetic oils have a much longer service life than the mineral oils. Some mineral oils that I've used in the past hasnt been able to maintain itself for much more than 7000km before losing too much pressure, let alone the breaking down of the oil itself. Reading, it seems that full synthetics, or some full synthetics are now at the point where the service life of the oil itself is not even remotely close to service interval, with it being significantly beyond. Its not 4WDs that the benefit from this, more so the long haul trucks etc which service as required by testing.

The limiting factor for 4WD's is probably more the contamination of the oil and the ability for the oil to be maintained. 5000km is going back to old design, loose indirect injection motors that soot like its cool. Think old Toyotas, Nissans etc. The TD5 is probably still one of the best small diesels out there for service intervals. From the start it was designed as a tight motor to prevent contamination of the oil and diesel - the reason for head bolts that pass through to the bottom of the motor and not just into the block was to prevent distortion of the block and maintain fit in the bores. It also has the regular oil filter systems, but in addition it has a centrifuge which spins out the smaller particles that the full flow filter misses. With direct injection and clean burning without sooting the motor was able to run even without catalytic converters while others had to have them etc. This allows the service intervals to run out to 20,000km (you would want full synthetic oils!) with a real world service interval of 10,000km. I believe that good oils and frequent servicing are not a false economy, but I would expect oils and filters every 5000km to be a waste with a TD5.

For the time intervals, I did have it explained to me why this is important and when I heard it, it did sound logical although I dont recall now what it was.

For lawnmowers, mine has an hour meter on it and it gets filters, oil and grease every 50hrs as specified. The other stuff is all 2-stroke which I mix 25:1 (ie oil rich) and service as required.

By the sounds of it you have been servicing your car far too often. The TD5 has the best oil filtration system ever fitted to a Landrover, and that combined with advances in oils and ultra low sulphur diesel means you are wasting oil (almost criminally in my view).

If you must, service it every 12 months, but every 18-24 months would also be fine, as that will only be 14k km or less.

Pretty sure Rick130 mentioned testing the oils on a Td5 at 15k and a Patrol at 5k.
Three guesses which one had the cleaner oil
I do mine at 12 as a rule of thumb but had no issue running my last one out to 15k.
I'd do mine twice a year, but I was putting 30k a year on it

Well, what do you know. Everything old is new again.

12 months or so without a Land Rover was more than enough (I've now saved up enough to afford the maintenance ) so I've bought another D2, a 1999 Td5.

In a moment of weakness I actually read the service schedule and was surprised when it states (31) Renew engine oil 20,000 K's, (32) Renew centrifuge rotor - Diesel 20,000 K's, (33) Renew full flow filter - Diesel 60,000 K's with the same 60,000 K interval for (22) Renew air filter element (more often for 'field conditions').

http://www.discovery2.co.uk/pdf_files/mclt010x.pdf

Amazing, how many owners are actually over servicing their Td5's ?

Deano

Originally Posted by DeanoH

Amazing, how many owners are actually over servicing their Td5's ?

Deano

Most of them.

I had my TD5 D2 oil tested by Castrol quite a few times,at 15 000km,and it was fine.
It was in better condition than one of the testers oil from his diesel GQ at 3 000km.

I had it tested at 20 000km a couple of times and the comment was it is still OK,but needs changing.

We were doing a lot of work with the newer,in those days,synthetic Castrol refrigeration oils,so i got to know the Castrol guys well.

First up, Land Rovers change intervals were based on a temperate climate and normal driving conditions.

Most all of Australia, stop/start city usage, short trips, towing, etc are considered stressful/hard usage.

But, modem oils are better than fifteen years ago, particularly if you use a HD (truck) type diesel oil.
Better detergency/dispersancy, better anti wear characteristics, less/eliminated bore polishing, etc.

An article on tailoring change intervals to suit usage.

Loaded 4X4 Issue 004 | Loaded 4X4

Good read Rick, now what's this little teaser about a 'business card' test.

Deano