Thread: How to bullet proof TD5 engine for towing

Parts from Turners in the UK is the way to go if the worst scenario is the head is beyond repair ie gone soft.They also supply gaskets[Elring],head bolts,dowels etc on your doorstep within a week.Not too difficult a job to do yourself.Good idea to get an accurate temperature gauge with warning buzzer such as a TM Watchdog,also a low level coolant warning fitted to the expansion tank is cheap insurance.

Hey Paul.
Sounds like something is not right. As has been suggested, start with items such as the thermostat and radiator viscous fan.
I tow a 23ft van and my temp ( on Nanocom ) has not gone over 98 deg. I also have an engine watchdog Tm2 which gives real time info as to how hot the engine is. I also have a low coolant alarm.
I have done a few mods to aid in the towing department and these include a 3" exhaust, custom alloy intercooler, ECU upgrade, boost and EGT gauges, de EGR'd and a Roverdrive transfer sump. I also have an AMC head (fuel in oil contamination). So start simple and work the problem out that way. Worry about the head last!
I do more regular oil changes as well when towing.
Regards
Robbo

Originally Posted by laney

Head gasket failure can over heat your car as the gasket moves and restricts water flow and alows coolant to leak into places where it should not be. If you are useing coolant ie blowing coolant out your expanchant tank think head gasket.

My understanding is that as the gasket degrades you end up gettting products of combustion in your cooking system, and coolant in your engine oil.

Look to see if you're getting white looking smoke (actually steam)out the back under load, Keep an eye out for white sludge on the dipstick or under the oil filler cap.

Dip your finger (gloved) in the coolant, and rub your fingers together you'll should be able to tell if you've any oil in there.

You can get a combustion/pressure test or i think there's some smart technothing that goes onto your resevoir and detects exhaust gases.

A new head gasket (even fitted at a garage) is going to be heaps cheaper than new radiators/thermostats etc... (esp landrover in oz parts!!!)

Cheers.

Jim.

By the time you change a rad, fan hub, thermostat etc etc, you'd be up for the cost of a gasket, skim and a set of bolts. As said previously there's a good chance its the head gasket. Earlier engines were fitted with plastic dowels to locate the head to the block... Not one of Land Rovers greatest cost saving ideas as they break down and crumble allowing the head to 'slip'.. My last vehicle (99 Defender 130 Td5) had exactly the same symptoms as you describe, and shut down on the wife having lost several litres of water. One skim later, a gasket, new bolts and a bit of sweat and it never missed a beat again! Worth doing for piece of mind if you are planning to go deep into the bush with it.

Once again thank you for everyone's replies, I'll speak to my LR mechanic tomorrow and organise for him to inspect and repair the head gasket as recommend by so many of you. From there I will be adding a few more gauges so I can monitor engine temp and possibly EGT, already have a coolant low level alarm installed and the head has steel dowels. ECU remap and 3" exhaust will come further down the track. I hope that will make the Disco Bullet proof.


Regards,


Paul.


P.S. Will load some photos in the "Show us your Disco pics" shortly showing the Disco and the new Hybrid off-road camper with tents attached. Worth a look if you like Series two Disco's.

Beware the temp gauge.If you are a newish D2 owner you may not realise that what the needle says is not the truth!!!! The ECU tells it to point to the middle until 105,next move is to full hot with warning light or back to "normal".
Beware a chiped ECU towing.I do have a later model ECU in my early D2,I have to VERY careful pushing it towing up hill.The tune creates high EGTs which equal high head temps.I dont have an EGT gauge,I monitor raising coolant temps via my nanocom.DISTURBING figures on a 40degC+ day uphill.
Andrew

Thanks Landyandy will take that advice onboard.




Cheers,

Paulstuart,

If you have confidence in your mechanic let them work out if it has a head gasket problem. It is likely a head gasket but there are diagnostic tests that can be performed to confirm before pulling the head, or starting to swap other cooling system components. If you are not confident in your mechanic then maybe you should be seeking the details of a known good LR mechanic.

Give the mechanic the symptoms/what you have observed and get them to tell you what the problem is an why they think that. Hopefully they will be able to tell you what evidence they are basing their findings on.

How many km has the vehicle done? If it is an auto a transmission fluid cooler would be my first upgrade for towing. The engine cooling system if in good order it will be fine for towing.