Thread: Tdi Replacement engine

Originally Posted by GyroLandy

I noticed my Tdi using alot of water but could not find a leak no matter where I looked. I then looked at the last place I wanted to... the dipstick. The level is nearly three quarters up the stick so I realized I had found the missing water. I have only run the engine for a short time so would be keen to know where the most likely place for this leak would be and what is the easiest way to find it.

The engine has 300,000+ km on so I'm thinking it may be time to replace the engine. Does anyone know what would be the best replacement. If I can find something with some more power that would be great. I read somewhere that there are rebuilt/used 3.5l turbo diesel engines which one can pick up for a reasonable price. Does anyone know what the options are?

From the sounds of it you need to replace the head gasket.

I see it you have three options. Rebuild your motor, buy a short motor already rebuilt and just transfer accessories or swap in some other exotic motor.

All comes down to money and time

Thx mate, what type of money (ballpark) are we talking for the different options? I take it for enhanced power only the exotic motor option will provide that?

Originally Posted by MinniTheMoocha

From the sounds of it you need to replace the head gasket.

I see it you have three options. Rebuild your motor, buy a short motor already rebuilt and just transfer accessories or swap in some other exotic motor.

All comes down to money and time

I am really only guesstimating some others might be able to give accurate pricing.

1. $3500 - 4500 (Rebuild your motor)
2. $4500 - 5500 (Short motor)
3. ?????? (TdV6 )

Originally Posted by MinniTheMoocha

<snip>

3. ?????? (TdV6 )

For example:

Defender2 - View topic - My TDV6 Defender challange truck project.

exotic motor choice that most will say will start at

1:4bd1/4bd1T
2:if you want power maybe a big v8
3:2.8ltr hse tgv (i think its called..made in brazil)is a 300tdi stroked and different cooling system and VNT turbo....supposedly makes a fair bit of power
4:rebuild the engine you have (cost of this will vary depending on how much a rebuild you decide to do) head reco (everything done to it)will cost around the $600 mark give or take a bit ,head gasket aint to dear and as for pistons,rings etc etc cant say how much for them get a compression test maybe???
5r the tdv6 would be a very good option as previosuly stated.

Rebuilt my motor for just over 7g's well got someone to do it but both bottom and top ends where done including another turbo (second hand). Was roughly about 2g's just for labour though and with a tweak here and change over parts there she bloody flying now!! Very happy!!!! Easy to get some more power from the 300's so I reckon rebuild it that's if it's not a minor issue with the head gasket.

If you haven't run it with water for too long, and you haven't overheated it, then let's hope the head is okay.

Remove the head and the sump.

Any cracks on the head? NO - Have it hardness tested ($100).

Any metal in the sump? NO - Check the Big End & Crank Bearings.

If the crank checks OK, then maybe just big end and crank bearings and a head gasket is all you will need.

It will need a couple of oil / filter changes as you flush the system thoroughly.

It may turn out to be an expensive fix, but paying for an assessment may be cheaper than paying for an opinion.

I hope it's just a head gasket.

Thx guys, here's the thing, when I bought this beat up old Landy for $6k up in Byron Bay I knew that the 3 main areas I would need to spend money on 1. The suspension 2. The body 3. The engine and gearbox.

I've done 1 and 2 and half of 3 so the potential spend is not entirely unexpected. If I can do the head etc. for $600 then that seems like a good option but the frustration of an underpowered vehicle which has a fifth gear but no power to use it (doing 80-90 km/h up the F3) would still be there. Is there the option to convert the 2.5 to a 2.8l while still using the same bottom, albeit with a renewal of bearings etc?

This v6 option looks nice but without having any idea what it would cost it seems like it's gonna be expensive.

Where can I find the numbers on the different options to see what the difference in power output is?

I've heard some good and bad of the 4bd1/4bd1T option.

So for now I know I want to keep it diesel and I want a turbo. Other than that, I'm wide open to suggestions. Would the gearbox need to be changed with any of the below options?