Thread: How Reliable are TD5 Discovery???

Originally Posted by ntguy

A Discovery TD5 can be a reliable vehicle providing all common problems known to fail are fixed. Being aware at certain KMs/time things will need replacing.

Parts appear to be cheaper than Nissan or Toyota providing you know where to buy them.

TD5`s seem capable of big KM`s. As long as you fix the things that will stop you on the way.

You seem to have answered your own question there.

Pretty Much.

My opinion is they can be reliable.

My post is what i think they call Hypophora....

Originally Posted by ntguy

Warning.... only parts of your Long Post shown below!

Having just brought a TD5 Discovery I am coping a lot of flak form others.
The most satisfying way to deal with that is to prove them wrong!!

TD5`s seem capable of big KM`s. As long as you fix the things that will stop you on the way.

I regard the TD5 as a sophisticated engine, which needs to be well maintained to give its best. That part is up to you. Unfortunately, I have found that few mechanics / workshops in rural towns are willing to get involved. When you find one, and he's any good, it's like gold.

I think the most important thing is not to ignore any warning signs, but to investigate / fix asap.

Specifically, do not ignore any leak of anything from anywhere (with the exception of gear oil dripping from the transfer case, but that does necessitate periodic checking of oil level and topping up as required).

Rattles, clunks, vibrations from drive shafts must be investigated, and acted upon if needed.

The TD5 has what I regard as a superb cooling system, but correct operation of the viscous-clutch fan-hub is essential. If it, or anything else in the cooling circuit is not up to spec, I would say that you will have trouble eventually. Usually in a place that is far from ideal, far from help, and possibly far from anywhere. Make sure that the serpentine drive belt is in good condition, and carry a spare one (the correct one for your vehicle - record and quote your VIN when ordering).

Air filtration seems so obvious and simple, but it seems to me that many muck around with all the whizz-bang stuff and blissfully ignore it!

You've been an Aulro member for a long time, and I don't know where abouts in the NT you are (going to be), but it may help to know (if you don't already) that there is at least one other member in Darwin, and a mechanically very proficient one in Katherine.
I am not sure of the protocol concerning naming them, so I won't here.


Chances are they my see your post and this one, and respond.
Each has a lot of posts to their credit. I know that the Darwin guy has a TD5 Disco, and the Katherine guy appears to know just about all there is to know about earlier models as well as the TD5.

I hope it goes well for the trip home, and beyond.
AndrewMilne

Originally Posted by ntguy

Pretty Much.

My opinion is they can be reliable.

My post is what i think they call Hypophora....

If you listen to all the jap crappers you would end up in the asylum
Honestly how long is a bit of string anything can be reliable with the correct service and history and operator.
I think we have all heard horror storys its if you want to believe them or not
All i have owned in 4wd`s is LR`S and several at that and personaly i would not own anything else.
The last couple and currant both being Td5`s and i love them never had any show stoppers .
So no probs here

For reliabiltity I consider repairability...

the TD5 is the last of the landrover engines that you can fix most issues on without specialist diagnostic gear or requiring unusually specialist gear if you have the know how

the MY03 series of the engine was the best of them. you're likely to have more issues with the bits that bolt onto the vehicle and the associated electrical issues that go with them than you are going to have with the engine itself.


the best way to deal with the flak is just weather it, wait for something of theirs to fail and then just quietly get on with letting your gear do its job. IF you have a failure to proceed while they blame the machine accept that the reason the vehicle got stuck was because the operator failed to ask and abide by the answers to the big 3 questions. Why that happened, lack of experience, bad interpretation of conditions, ego what ever other excuse there might be is completely irrelevant That it happened is the important part. This is the key general difference between the ethos behind most Landrover drivers and other marques, where others will swear and curse at the ability of the vehicle and spend a fortune making the vehicle do more and then complaining that the regulators make what they think they need to do difficult if not illegal to do a rover driver will sit back and ask "how could I have done that better?"

My conclusions are as follows.

The TD5 engine is very durable, but will not stand overheating, so a watchdog to warn of low coolant is a well worthwhile idea. The only other significant engine issue, as far as I can see is the problem of migration from the engine harness. You need to be aware of this and check for problems.

Other than that, the only major problem is issues with the ABS/traction control, which can have multiple causes, and be expensive to fix, but is not a show stopper (although it is a roadworthiness issue).

The rear U-joint on the back propshaft has to be regarded as a service item, and the double cardan on the front shaft needs to be checked regularly, not so much because it is likely to fail as that failure is likely to cause so much damage.

Apart from these issues, any failures on a D2 are just as likely to happen on the competitors.

Always bear in mind though that all D2s have been around for quite a while now, and may not have been treated very well!

John

Hi NT guy,
Not much to add to what everybody else has mentioned. I have had a few Land Rovers and for that transition over from simple to oober complex the TD5 motor is a good compromise. Yes you have to change the head gasket, better done proactively than reactively, engine mountings are bets kept in good condition unless you have a family dentist. On top of that, good coolant, best lubricating oil you can afford, OEM filters where possible and regular servicing not 26k intervals.
Treat the vehicle as you would like to be treated yourself.

Cheers Marty.

dont forget the EMS/low coolant alarm and an EGT/boost gauge combo if you really want to get into stretching its life .