Thread: 06 TD5 Defender using WATER

Originally Posted by ak

My gut feeling is that with the TD5 the head is the part of the engine that Landrover could not get durability out of way back in the design stage. From what I have read in other Landie forums not just here, if constantly worked hard ( towing big horse floats in hill conditions massive amounts of beach work constantly on super hot days ) the Td5 does not liked to be stressed and evently gets head problems. That's why it seems some Td5's suffer this fate and others don't.

Shhh dont tell big red that......

Originally Posted by ak

My gut feeling is that with the TD5 the head is the part of the engine that Landrover could not get durability out of way back in the design stage. From what I have read in other Landie forums not just here, if constantly worked hard ( towing big horse floats in hill conditions massive amounts of beach work constantly on super hot days ) the Td5 does not liked to be stressed and evently gets head problems. That's why it seems some Td5's suffer this fate and others don't.

There was also a heap of effort put into cooling the engine to keep the heat out of it too.

Here is a really interesting read from LROI that some may be interested in. It's about the development of the TD5. My apologies as the article has been photographed, but if you click on the pics you will get a high res copy.

www.slunnie.com - LROI TD5 article

I won't argue with Dave or Simon you guys have heaps more tech experience than me. It's strange how some Td5's have head problems and others don't. However as said above my best guess is still the fact that it mainly happens to TD5's that work really hard constantly in hot conditions and of-course other factors like wrong coolant and lack of servicing. However I would be interested to hear other thoughts especialy from the likes of Dave and Simon. So keep the thoughts coming guys. Am I onto something hear with my line I thinking? Or not.

Originally Posted by loanrangie

Everyone says "now the steel head dowels are in it's great" etc...

I really dont get this statement , you dont even need the dowels once the head is torqued down correctly, i have had a few engines without dowels without any problems ?

Again you speak wisely

An interesting read Slunnie very enthusiastic author telling us about the Bomb Proof TD5??

Originally Posted by tombraider

Originally Posted by loanrangie

Everyone says "now the steel head dowels are in it's great" etc...

I really dont get this statement , you dont even need the dowels once the head is torqued down correctly, i have had a few engines without dowels without any problems ?

Again you speak wisely

Can someone explain the dowels to me? I thought they were just to locate the head onto the block, hence if they were made of steel, plastic or indian naan it wouldn't make a difference? Or am I totally wrong

A way to check if you are losing coolant from the overflow,
put the overflow hose into a plastic bottle of some kind, taped in or similar.
so any fluid coming out of the overflow is then caught in the bottle.

If it isn't coming out the overflow, and your loosing coolant, it must be going elsewhere... just where is the secret question.

Originally Posted by joel_nicholson

Can someone explain the dowels to me? I thought they were just to locate the head onto the block, hence if they were made of steel, plastic or indian naan it wouldn't make a difference? Or am I totally wrong

nope your tottaly correct...

the dowels are only there for the initial locating of the head and gasket while you put it all together....

So far Every head fault I've personally seen with the td5 (5 now) Has been easily attributable to either operator error OR dodgy workmanship when the operator has taken it to someone to have the required corrective work done.

The big problem with the dowels is when cheapskate mechanics try to reuse the plastic ones the head can be sat on and the dowels will let it sit off center then engine will work for a while but once the combustion process begins to eat the head gasket failure isnt far off.