Early TD5 Head Dowels

[Gillie]

Can anyone help with when Land rover updated The Head in the TD5 Motor. My understanding is that it happened in 2000 but not sure when. I know there was a dowell modifacation to stop the head from wandering. Looking at a 2000 model Defender and wondering if this may be a problem in the future. I am told you may get some change form $1,200 for the Mod to be carried out. Any Comments?
Cheers

[barryj]

Very quiet tonight.

I have not heard about the mod. It seems to me that people only get to know about the plastic dowels after the damage has been done. Normally after overheating.

Maybe it's not a problem unless something goes bang in the cooling area.

It might not be worth taking off the head to fix something that's isn't broke.

Others might shed more light.

At least this will keep the thread alive for a bit longer.

[LandyAndy]

Even if plastic dowells go back in it will make sure the ones in there wont fail for a long time,a head gasket fail/big overheat in a TD5 is VERY expensive.
Andrew

[justinc]

Hi Andrew,

I thought it was 2001, but some engines were manufactured a lot earlier and then fitted up to the vehicle. I have pulled down a 2001 fender and the date stamp on the cam etc was '99....

I would personally fit the steel dowels NOW before the thing overheats and destroys a very expensive head, Just a thought...

JC

[barryj]

Hi Andrew,

I thought it was 2001, but some engines were manufactured a lot earlier and then fitted up to the vehicle. I have pulled down a 2001 fender and the date stamp on the cam etc was '99....

I would personally fit the steel dowels NOW before the thing overheats and destroys a very expensive head, Just a thought...

JC

Good advice from someone who knows.

[Blknight.aus]

Very quiet tonight.

I have not heard about the mod. It seems to me that people only get to know about the plastic dowels after the damage has been done. Normally after overheating.

Maybe it's not a problem unless something goes bang in the cooling area.

It might not be worth taking off the head to fix something that's isn't broke.

Others might shed more light.

At least this will keep the thread alive for a bit longer.

seconded but only till its due an alt major (50km or multiple there of service) and only if you fit a decent temp gauge that reads the coolant temp in degrees in the head side of the coolant jacket

Hi Andrew,

I thought it was 2001, but some engines were manufactured a lot earlier and then fitted up to the vehicle. I have pulled down a 2001 fender and the date stamp on the cam etc was '99....

I would personally fit the steel dowels NOW before the thing overheats and destroys a very expensive head, Just a thought...

JC

This is the better option...

[geoz]

i have a 99 td5, too.
anyone with a tip what refitting the dowels would cost? any other improvements that would be a good idea to look at while the engine is apart?

georgie

[stevo]

I replaced mine with the steel dowels over a year ago because the head gasket started to leak was allright only played up when I put the boot in and made it work,about six months early to the gasket leaking it blew a small coolant hose behind the turbo, it got hot and after that I fitted the black box water/temp warning alarm.

alot of people have fitted low water alarms to their engines and is a good idea also if you do not have a problem do not touch it may never give you grief and it is a labour intensive job and if you paid someone to do it it would cost alot more than $1200 to do.

Do a search on the head gasket and here is a link to my post on the head gasket I did a cost break down on the parts
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread...ead+gasket+td5

[Blknight.aus]

no real improvements but plenty of inspection and preventative maintenance type work that could be done... this comes down to how much do you want to spend.....

Id expect the bare minimum to be 8 hours worth of labour and the following parts plus sundries.. Im not going to quote a cost as theres a fairly wide range depending on if you import parts go repco and even between different companies that provide rover stuff in aus but the parts absolute minimum that would want replacing are..

head gasket
dowls
head bolts
manifold bolts.../studs+nuts

Id be also looking at the manifold for warpage while the head was off and the faces that need to be checked easily checkable.


other than that take your pic of the threads about the TD5 and roll the dice as to weather or not you want to mess with that bit or not...

[Gillie]

The kit apparently isn't dear, about $300 From memory but if you are paying labour then the price jumps to 4 figures fitted. I am told that they were changed in 2001 but if buying a 2001 model what month would have this mod?
I too have a 99 Disco Td5 and have been told it is not a question of if but when. I was advised to get it done before it happens. Just another Land Rover Experience. Suffering builds Character Apparently.