Thread: TD5 BIG-END BEARING FAILURE

Originally Posted by AndrewMilne

So I am sorry if it's a bit tedious and "Ho-hum" for you, but I have GREATLY appreciated the responses that I have received, especially from Graeme and Strangy.
Regards, Andrew

Its not tedious or ho-hum at all Andrew.
No-one on this site likes to hear of a breakdown, in fact most of us spend our leisure time trying to stop it happening by posting on here!

and that last line was not aimed at you--
it was just general exasperation at a problem widely known. How any company that purports itself to be a land Rover specialist could not know of it is part of that exasperation.

Hopefully its just new bearings

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

Its not tedious or ho-hum at all Andrew.
No-one on this site likes to hear of a breakdown, in fact most of us spend our leisure time trying to stop it happening by posting on here!

and that last line was not aimed at you--
it was just general exasperation at a problem widely known. How any company that purports itself to be a land Rover specialist could not know of it is part of that exasperation.

Hopefully its just new bearings

Fair enough, and thanks.
Andrew

I had a TD5 big end go in 2011. Before I bought it a new oil cooler had been fitted, and I think either the oil level had been run low, or it had been contaminated, but it went bang. The oil pump bolt was still attached. Like you I spent more than it was worth fixing it, only to have another engine to go bang in 2012 due to dirty fuel picked up on the Nullabor. My enthusiasm for Discoverys and TD5s waned decidedly at that point, and I virtually gave it away to a forum member.

Jeff

Originally Posted by roverv8

what about engine oil levels?
any chance it may seem to has risen slightly

No answer,
well, i can't see how a big end would just give up on a nice strong bottom end like a TD5 without something else going on, (apart from oil pump bolt)

I suspect at some stage in the engines life cracked copper washers on the injectors or a crack in the head around 1 or any of the injectors...

Running 5w or even 10w oil & a little diesel adding to the oil doesn't take much to thin out

Originally Posted by roverv8

Running 5w or even 10w oil & a little diesel adding to the oil doesn't take much to thin out

No oil copes with fuel dilution, regardless of weight, base oils or additive package.

Originally Posted by rick130

No oil copes with fuel dilution, regardless of weight, base oils or additive package.

True, no oil copes
but 5w oil is thinner to start off with, thats not the point of my comments.

im just adding to something yet talked about here.
"Diesel in the oil"

Originally Posted by roverv8

No answer,
well, i can't see how a big end would just give up on a nice strong bottom end like a TD5 without something else going on, (apart from oil pump bolt)

I suspect at some stage in the engines life cracked copper washers on the injectors or a crack in the head around 1 or any of the injectors...

Running 5w or even 10w oil & a little diesel adding to the oil doesn't take much to thin out

Hi Roverv8,
I did actually reply to the question you initially raised about oil level. It was in Post #18 of this thread (3rd August). A few weeks before the Big-end bearing failure, the oil cooler was modified, and the engine oil replaced, as well as both oil filters. I did notice that the oil level was a bit above the "Full" notch on the dipstick when I collected the car, but not by a lot. After the bearing failure, I don't think it was any higher (and there was still plenty there). Also, there was no oil in the coolant or milkiness in the oil, after the event. Am I right in thinking that FUEL in the oil would not be visually obvious, but would increase the oil level?
Regards, Andrew

Originally Posted by AndrewMilne

Hi Roverv8,
I did actually reply to the question you initially raised about oil level. It was in Post #18 of this thread (3rd August).

Am I right in thinking that FUEL in the oil would not be visually obvious, but would increase the oil level?
Regards, Andrew

Apologies, I missed your response.

Yes, it would be hard to tell unless oil level rises,
but if an owner was suspect on this, regular visual & feeling the oil viscosity from the dipstick could give a clue....