Best 300Tdi Timing Case Cover?

[NewBoots]

Hi,

I'm very new to the forum having just joined! I've got a '97 Defender 110 300Tdi with about 198K on the clock and a recon engine put in about 11 years ago.

Not long before Xmas, doing my morning checks, I noticed that two of the bolts on the fan pulley were missing, so took it to the garage to get it checked out (Central West NSW - so no LR specialists near me) and they found that the missing bolts had sheared in the bracket so needed to change out the whole timing case cover.

They ordered a replacement part from a mob in Queensland, put it on and that lasted 8 weeks before the fan spindle slid forward in the case and shredded my belts. The garage spoke to the supplier and they sent a replacement part. Put it on and they kindly drove the vehicle back to us as we had no other car. They got to the bottom gate of our property and broke down. The fan spindle on the new case had slipped forward about 1.5 inches just missing shoving the fan pulley into the fan and the radiator.

It looks like the Timing Case Covers that the supplier sent through are really poorly built , so I was wondering whether anyone could advise me whether I should get an original replacement, OEM or something like a Bearmach part? I really don't want another part from the current supplier given performance to date though to be fair they have replaced the part without delay.

Thanks!

[Tins]

I'd try Mario ( Roverlord Offroad Spares, vendor on here, who gives great service even when he is battling disabilities ) first.
What I don't understand is why the workshop can't just extract the broken bolts and replace them. Is there more to this?

[NewBoots]

What I don't understand is why the workshop can't just extract the broken bolts and replace them. Is there more to this?

Hi Tins, TBH not sure why they couldn't extract them - will ask them on Monday. Will also try and get in touch with Mario - thanks for the recommendation!

[loanrangie]

The pulley is bolted to a flange that's pressed onto the spindle so they wouldn't need to replace the cover.

[Tins]

The pulley is bolted to a flange that's pressed onto the spindle so they wouldn't need to replace the cover.

thanks nick, I couldn't remember.

[86mud]

When say fan spindle, do you mean the viscous fan hub or the flange?

A standard AU falcon water pump bearing (purchase entire water pump for $30 and cut out bearing) can be used as a replacement for the fan bearing in the landrover timing cover case. Just requires some minor manipulation.

Seems strange that the problem occurred twice.

Other alternative for a premium timing cover is Turners in the UK.