Thread: Timing belt replacement for defender

I'm aware that replacing the timing belt on a vehicle is an expensive operation.
Land Rover Monthly Magazine December 2007 had a buyers guide in it .. 101 hints and tips for painless purchasing.

It said with respect to defender 90 and 110;
'With the exception of the 2.25 diesel, all other diesels need the rubber timing belt replacing at regular intervals.'

and

'Diesel timing belt history needs confirming, or fit new on purchase'

Is replacing the timing belt an expensive and time consuming operation. A close friend of past said to replace the one on his hilux was 2k because the engine needed to be shifted to get into the belt.

Is it painful (if i did it myself) or expensive (if i paid a mechanic dealer/other) to replace the timing belt on a defender diesel?
and what is regular intervals?

It is quite easy to do yourself. Download the Defender workshop manual and follow it step by step. The only things to note are:

1 - Remember which bolts came out of which hole on the cover - They're different lengths!!!
2 - Don't use the tensioner torque setting described in the manual. It was revised DOWN.
3 - Get yourself a timing belt kit... Life is sooo much easier with one.

HTH

M