Thread: Landrover Defender info

Originally Posted by dm_td5

Not strictly true, I have only recently bought a 1999 300Tdi Defender. OK the VIN number puts it as a 1998 build but the compliance plate is actually dated 1999 as this was when it must have landed in Australia and is when it was first registered.

So there are some (well at least one) 1999 300 Tdi's around, depending on whether you date them based on build date or compliance plate date.

I agree, I have a few customers with WA VIN numbers, which is a '98 build, but the compliance plate says 1999. This causes a few hassles for the owners though, as one ordered a bullbar and towbar for their disco, only to find Td5 Disco2 ones turn up!
Brian has some interesting points about lawsuits, as I had a friend in WA with a Rangie that was sold second hand as a 1992 model, but was personally imported into OZ from the UK in 1992, the actual build date was 1990 according to the VIN.

JC

Originally Posted by irk

I went and saw the bloke , he imported it from Zimbabwe when Mugabe stole his farm . He said he got it as a kit from England and it was put together by the dealership or factory in Zimbabwe. It was either pay the duty or leave it for the blacks. He just doesnt use it as he has a company car here. It has to be glowed before it starts . Do the models in Oz have glowplugs ?

Interesting, Yes we do have glow plugs in ours, but generally don't require them. Usually, if a Tdi needs glowing to start, there is a big timing problem or compression issue, or its below -5 Degrees outside!

More info? where is the vehicle?

JC

Little bit of trivia: The Td5 also only has 4 glow plugs

... it's another 5 cylinder quirk.

I'll throw another spanner into the workings... The previous engine to the Tdi series was the 2.5 turbo, in early 110's and 90's prior to 1991 in UK. We never saw this engine out here, and it was basically a factory turboed 2.5 diesel, uprated from the old 2.25 block. These did require glowing, as they were indirect injection and quite noisy and gutless. Must Military diesel landies in europe of this age had the NA version of this engine, and from memory it was Chain driven instead of timing belt. Someone may want to correct me here.

Just a small chance it was a knock down crated version exported to africa with the low cost simpler motor?

2001 was the actual assembly date?

It would be interesting to hear more.

JC

Originally Posted by justinc

I'll throw another spanner into the workings... The previous engine to the Tdi series was the 2.5 turbo, in early 110's and 90's prior to 1991 in UK. We never saw this engine out here, and it was basically a factory turboed 2.5 diesel, uprated from the old 2.25 block. These did require glowing, as they were indirect injection and quite noisy and gutless. Must Military diesel landies in europe of this age had the NA version of this engine, and from memory it was Chain driven instead of timing belt. Someone may want to correct me here.

Just a small chance it was a knock down crated version exported to africa with the low cost simpler motor?

2001 was the actual assembly date?

It would be interesting to hear more.

JC

That Turbo D engine was also prone to hot spots too....

Sounds like he has one of the 300TDi African built models (CKD). As mentioned before, you can still get 300TDi but only as a special order for areas like Africa as the engine doesn't meet emissions regs.

Unless there's a problem with the engine, the 300TDi is usually quite happy starting without glow plugs... Even in a British winter.

M

Originally Posted by dm_td5

Not strictly true, I have only recently bought a 1999 300Tdi Defender. OK the VIN number puts it as a 1998 build but the compliance plate is actually dated 1999 as this was when it must have landed in Australia and is when it was first registered.

Just FYI, the compliance plate is fitted the day or two before it goes onto the truck to be delivered to the dealer. It bears absolutely no relationship to the build date. Quite often they are close, but other times can be anywhere from 1-3 years different. We recently sold an 03 build Freelander with an 06 compliance plate.

Originally Posted by Scouse

Just FYI, the compliance plate is fitted the day or two before it goes onto the truck to be delivered to the dealer. It bears absolutely no relationship to the build date. Quite often they are close, but other times can be anywhere from 1-3 years different. We recently sold an 03 build Freelander with an 06 compliance plate.

I should have said shipped to dealer as I know this is the case. It's good when they are close, my 03 Disco was ordered in December 02, built in Feb 03, arrived in Australian in April 03 and was delivered to me in May 03.

Back to the 300Tdi Defender:

Shame it hasn't got the 2.8Tdi engine out of Brazil in it. I never realised that LR UK still shipped any 300Tdi motors after 1999 until this thread.

Originally Posted by irk

I went and saw the bloke , he imported it from Zimbabwe when Mugabe stole his farm . He said he got it as a kit from England and it was put together by the dealership or factory in Zimbabwe. It was either pay the duty or leave it for the blacks. He just doesnt use it as he has a company car here. It has to be glowed before it starts . Do the models in Oz have glowplugs ?

Two things you need to come back to us with: the VIN and the engine no. The latter may identify the engine type.

Ron