Thread: TD5 vs TDi reliability???

I've never had a Td5 , so I can't compare it's reliability with a TDi. I have installed one of those engine savers so incase the cooling system has a leak and i'm alarmed early enought to shut the engine off and prevent the heads from cooking then I'll do it. I am planning however to replace the tdi head gasket as preventative maintenance at around 250k , the vehicle has done around 200k on the odo. I would buy a TD5 defender anyday of the week after seeing Matt's Td5 on Hoist Now a Nanocom would come very handy.


Edit: I didn't Vote either

Originally Posted by Psimpson7

I think this 'easier to work on' comment is bizzarre. Are people just saying this becasue the 300tdi has no electronics? Is that honestly it?! How many have actually worked on either themselves let alone both, and how many just have a random hatred of electronics?

IME the TD5 is a much nicer engine to work on than the TDI. Most jobs I can think of I would rather do on a TD5 than a TDI....

Head gasket, water pump, fuel system, etc etc etc. Maybe that's just me but we've had both over the years and a few sensors does not make an engine hard to work on.

Am I missing something?

I agree. Its still just an engine. If you broke down in the outback with a damaged head, then really it wouldn't matter what you were driving as irrespective of whether it was a 2.25D, 2.5D, 200tdi, 300tdi, TD5, TDV6, TDV8 or even if its the Zoozoo - you still wont be driving anywhere.

The other thing that I tend to think about this question if it is about breaking down as opposed to faulting, is that the TD5 typically faults, where as the TDi typically breaks and I think that is something that may be overlooked.

Originally Posted by Psimpson7

I think this 'easier to work on' comment is bizzarre. Are people just saying this becasue the 300tdi has no electronics? Is that honestly it?! How many have actually worked on either themselves let alone both, and how many just have a random hatred of electronics?

IME the TD5 is a much nicer engine to work on than the TDI. Most jobs I can think of I would rather do on a TD5 than a TDI....

Head gasket, water pump, fuel system, etc etc etc. Maybe that's just me but we've had both over the years and a few sensors does not make an engine hard to work on.

Am I missing something?

It's the most common thing that people complain about,for some reason everyone has this hatred of anything electronic,it takes but seconds for people that are by and large totally biased to quote thier ''mate'' who works in some place who see's issues everyday with electrics and tell horror stories about strandings in the desert etc.Both engines are good,one needs knowledge to find faults,the other needs a laptop. Pat

Originally Posted by justinc

Both the Tdi and Td5 are both as reliable as each other, it is the maintenance and treatment of them that counts. (The Isuzu however is in a class of its own)

I have Tdi's that have 500K up with no major faults at all, and others with broken crankshafts at 180K. Td5's perfect at 300K and others with new heads and turbos at 110K. I really think the main question here should be that IF you were to experience a problem with any of these engines in remote outback areas, which one would you prefer to be driving?

JC

Surely the way they are driven would have as big, if not a bigger influence than extended oil drains?

I dont understand any of this reliability thing my td5 is about to clock over 175,000 and its had a starter solenoid and a fuel pump changed and its still perfect.

Originally Posted by Psimpson7

I think this 'easier to work on' comment is bizzarre. Are people just saying this becasue the 300tdi has no electronics? Is that honestly it?! How many have actually worked on either themselves let alone both, and how many just have a random hatred of electronics?

IME the TD5 is a much nicer engine to work on than the TDI. Most jobs I can think of I would rather do on a TD5 than a TDI....

Head gasket, water pump, fuel system, etc etc etc. Maybe that's just me but we've had both over the years and a few sensors does not make an engine hard to work on.

Am I missing something?

TD5 cramped engine bay, for us larger blokes its a bit uncomfortable.

an other line of thought is the TDI is all known there is no mistry since its just and evolution of what it was before. the TD5 is like a step to the left in to the unknown

Originally Posted by clean32

TD5 cramped engine bay, for us larger blokes its a bit uncomfortable.

an other line of thought is the TDI is all known there is no mistry since its just and evolution of what it was before. the TD5 is like a step to the left in to the unknown

I find it to be the opposite. The TD5 is a known to me, its been around for a long time now and I have experience with it. If it does something, then I'll probably know what it is and if possible how to fix it.

The Tdi... now that is a step into the unknown. If it stops then I dont want to be stripping injector pumps and changing retunder gaskets in the middle of the desert or in the bush.

Never had a sensor problem yet with the TD5. Once you get over the fear of they are expensive engines they are an easy engine to work on. Previouse maintenance is the key to the TD5 reliability.
PS only had to have to towed home 3 times.
Any other time it has been able to get me home before saying no.

And yes I still love the Defenders