2014 Deefer- Unlucky year or just ours?

[Inkahootz81]

We've had our 2014 Puma Deefer for nearing two years with 170k km's.

It seems like everything has failed at some point and has us wondering if it's just the build quality slipping, or have we just been unlucky.

It's been towed to the mechanics a total of 8 times so far.

• Kill switch/immobiliser failed and needed bypassing

• Remote central locking doesn't.

• Intercooler split
• Fuel pump failed
• Sump pan rusted through
• 2x turbo's. (was actuator on both)
• New engine wiring harness.
• New rear axles
• New ECU
• New Oil crankshaft cover
• New hoses
• New timing sensors

Now the HD Clutch needs replacing & check the transfer.

The previous owners had some parts replaced or changed under warranty, including beefing up the clutch.
The also replaced the entire roof under warranty.

Comparing it to our previous Deef (1998) we had for 6 years & replaced one part.
So i guess the question is- "Is this normal... to be expected and just part of the Defender experience, or is our Deef a Dud?"

[Robmacca]

Wow... I would say bad luck maybe?

I've got a 2010 with about 207k on the clock and in general its been great. The previous owner I think did alot of mods/maint to it and since I've had it I've done minor things until recently where the TC was rebuilt (ATB also installed) and replaced the Ashcroft Adaptor with the latest version. I love it but I also still love driving the old and slower 300tdi Def as well...

[shack]

I don't know much about the later "puma" powered defenders, however I do keep an eye on what issues seem to spring up.

Out of the issues you have mentioned, the only common ones I am aware of are :

Immobilizer failure.

Clutch problems.

Others may add more to this list.

Other common failures seem to be injectors, diffs and transfer case adaptor shaft.

It's always possible some of the replaced items are "friendly fire" as a result of injudicious use of the "parts cannon" ( Dazzatd5, he doesn't use one.. he coined the term).

But I hope not.. It's just that when you see ECU replaced, and engine wiring loom replaced.. It makes one suspicious.

Every vehicle will have unique issues for sure, but it's always worth investigating other workshops before handing over your money.

Cheers
James

[DazzaTD5]

We've had our 2014 Puma Deefer for nearing two years with 170k km's.

It seems like everything has failed at some point and has us wondering if it's just the build quality slipping, or have we just been unlucky.

It's been towed to the mechanics a total of 8 times so far.

• Kill switch/immobiliser failed and needed bypassing

• Remote central locking doesn't.

• Intercooler split
• Fuel pump failed
• Sump pan rusted through
• 2x turbo's. (was actuator on both)
• New engine wiring harness.
• New rear axles
• New ECU
• New Oil crankshaft cover
• New hoses
• New timing sensors

Now the HD Clutch needs replacing & check the transfer.

The previous owners had some parts replaced or changed under warranty, including beefing up the clutch.
The also replaced the entire roof under warranty.

most items I've listed below are everyday items and I do them as part of the "complete Defender list"
imobiliser losing sync- reasonably common.
intercooler splitting - common.
fuel pump - one on a 2.4.
sump pan rusted out - reasonably common if not attended to early
turbo failure - common as genuine/ garrett are made in india and all new garrett are made in china (get a quality rebuilt one)
turbo actuator failure - common, can be replaced WITHOUT replacing the whole turbo
wiring harness - not done one (although dealers "fix" the imobiliser issue with replacing the harness)
rear axles wear - common
ecu - not done one (suspect yours was a mis-diagnose)
crankshaft front cover - only when doing a top end overhaul
coolant hoses? - not often
timing sensor? do you mean crankshaft position sensor? if so then - common
CLUTCH failures - very common, its generally why the Defender has come in and I do the rest. (std and HD land rover clutch are rubbish Ford parts)

oh and you forgot or it hasnt happened yet...
adaptor shaft failure (between gearbox n transfer case) - common
heater valve assembly leaking - common
heater fan blower resistor - not often
heater control assembly - not often
injector seals - common
injectors - common on high mileage 2.4
rear side door harness - common
back door not unlocking - common
side markers fading, melting, blowing globes - common
door hinge bolts rusting - common
rear mudflaps ripping off allum body - common
corrosion on rear cross member - common
heat shield on CPS, turbo cracking - common
blown intercooler hoses - now and then (all turbo diesel vehicles)
leaking transfer case - common
head gasket and or head warping - so so, just done 3 in the last month or so.
starter motor - vary rare
alternator - even rarer
a/c compressor - not often
a/c condensor - not often

I think thats about it, most items really are pesky build quality issues and can be rectified easily.

oh the rear diff - common
egr heat exchange splitting - only on a 2.2

[shack]

It would appear I'm guilty of gross understatement!

That's disappointing to see a list of issues like that, having said that I've always felt the pick was either 300tdi or TD5.

I hope you can get it sorted and enjoy travelling around.

[DazzaTD5]

It would appear I'm guilty of gross understatement!

That's disappointing to see a list of issues like that, having said that I've always felt the pick was either 300tdi or TD5.

IMHO... the Defender TDCi (2007 - 2016, puma) is the best Defender made...

A low range first lower than any other defender.
A a/c and heater that actually work.
a stronger gearbox.
a 5th and 6th gear which makes them great on the hiway
a good engine, that at 200K when I have pulled heads off there is no wear in the bores.
better seats.
ancillaries (starter, alternator, a/c compressor, water pump) rarely fail.
a lighter clutch (due to it being a full hydraulic)
an engine that tunes up exceptionally well (typical tune is 440NM @ that round 2000rpm, with the best I've done at 470NM)
still looks cool and came in that Keswick green.

compared to other **** 4x4s on the road its pretty simplistic and overall pretty reliable.

oh and another bad item is the price of them now.

[jon3950]

IMHO... the Defender TDCi (2007 - 2016, puma) is the best Defender made...

still looks cool and came in that Keswick green.

What more do you need.

[Inkahootz81]

ecu - not done one (suspect yours was a mis-diagnose)

Just asking- we had shuddering/power loss at around 50km's into trip that varied between pothole thump to full violent throws.
This would bring on dash lights and often complete power failure. Sometimes clear after switch on/off a few times, sometimes not.

Drive through a puddle and it would fail 30 seconds later.

We assumed wiring issue due to random codes, so replaced engine bay wiring, then the ECU.

Mechanic said the Puma ECU is bolted onto a part that is exposed to heat, so likely had small crack allowing water to ingress when warm, resulting in the tantrums.

In your experience, what do you think?
(I sent a quick PM to you with the details)

[DazzaTD5]

Just asking- we had shuddering/power loss at around 50km's into trip that varied between pothole thump to full violent throws.
This would bring on dash lights and often complete power failure. Sometimes clear after switch on/off a few times, sometimes not.

Drive through a puddle and it would fail 30 seconds later.

We assumed wiring issue due to random codes, so replaced engine bay wiring, then the ECU.

Mechanic said the Puma ECU is bolted onto a part that is exposed to heat, so likely had small crack allowing water to ingress when warm, resulting in the tantrums.

In your experience, what do you think?
(I sent a quick PM to you with the details)

My "guess" would be a crankshaft position sensor....

[Inkahootz81]

One of the first codes stated that, so mechanic changed the sensor.

Same code appeared shortly after with some random turbo codes added as well.
They checked the new sensor when doing turbo work.

Then it's been 'whack-a-mole' ever since.

Took it for it's first dirt+creek crossing run today and no issues, so *thumping fist into timber table top* hopefully it's sorted.