Thread: Plactic Head Dowels

Never heard about the can't use the steel dowels. I think it was in 02 they switched over.

yer George i hadnt heard of it either untill this morning http://forum.landrovernet.com/showthread.php't=92301 if you read the whole Thread it will say

Guys,
This is what is done in the workshop, U must follow the tech bulletin (which is in the thread)or cracking of the head may occur. They are just locating dowells & only do that. If u fit the steel ones in most circumstances the head will crack, Not cheap to fix.
If your VIN falls within the range u may refit with steel dowells oherwise stay with the plastic ones.

How do you check if yours had the right VIM Numbers to get the Steel Dowels ?? i always thought the the plastic ones should be ditched for Steel ones asap.
Thanks
Regards Adrian

Hi Adrian,

If you notice the VIN range mentioned in the tech bulletin, it only affects the 2A chassis range between those numbers. There might have been a slight mod to the heads at that time? I guess I'm saying that any dfender before or after those 2A VINs stated can have steel dowels fitted.

(I would save up if I was you, as it will happen eventually, and you need to address it BEFORE it has an overheat due to an actual head gasket failure, damaging both the head and possibly the engine itself.)



Just checked the link, I have, like many others fitted steel dowels to ALL the XA onwards Defenders and discos, due to the original plastic dowel failures. ALL are running fine with no cracking, Any one else care to comment on that statement in the landrovernet link?



JC

.

Thanks JC.
also Someone where is the tech bulletin ??

This is just copied from the link in the other post as it is basically what u are after.


AFFECTED RANGE:

All Td5 derivatives within VIN ranges:
Discovery Series II (02 Model Year) 2A 736340 to 3A 793895
Defender (02 Model Year) 2A 622424 to 3A 647705

SUBJECT:
CYLINDER HEAD LOCATING DOWELS
Td5 engines fitted to vehicles in the above VIN range are fitted with plastic dowels to locate the cylinder head onto the cylinder block.

Land Rover Engineering has introduced steel locating dowels from the following VIN numbers:
Discovery Series II: 3A 793895
Defender: 3A 647705

INFORMATION:
If a cylinder head is removed from a vehicle in the above VIN range, the plastic dowels must be replaced with new specification steel dowels, which are now available from Land Rover Parts.

CAUTION:
Td5 derivatives prior to the above VIN ranges must not, under any
circumstances, be fitted with the new steel dowels. If steel dowels are fitted to earlier engines, cylinder head cracking may result.

Mine is a '99 Defender with 160k on the motor. No overheating problems, no coolant leaks or oil in the coolant. If they are just locating dowels surely there is no problems unless you overheat the motor.

Mal