Help - Top 5 things to check when Buying a 1999 TD5 ?

Hi there, I have to be honest, when buying my 1992 200tdi a few years ago, I can't say I really knew a lot about defenders, I'd always fancied one and bought mine on a bit of a whim......

Anyway, I'm looking at a 1999 td5 on Monday, 96000 miles on the clock. I was looking for a top 5 things to look at/check etc when on the driveway and during the test drive to hopefully reduce the likelihood of buying a dud. I'm sure everyone will have different ideas, but for someone who is still quite new to all this, and doesn't pretend to be mechanically advanced, some sensible advice would be very welcome. Cheers.

I bought a 200tdi (admittedly a category c) 90 last summer and here are the tips I can give you- from learning the hard way.

1. Check the chassis THOROUGHLY. Take a small hammer and tap all over especially on the rear cross-member as some people just put filler over rust holes.

2. Gearbox spline wear. If you can hear a clunk under power take up then it is likely the gearbox mainshaft splines have gone. £600 to replace along with the transfer box input gear. As this is a 1999, this probably wont have any problems with this.

3. Check by the bell housing for oil leaks as the crank oil seal is a pain to replace as the gearbox has to come out.

4. Obviously owning a 200tdi, I don't know much about td5s but just check all the electrics work.

5. Good luck

Not necessarily five....
- rust in frame bulkhead and door frames
- pull the red ecu plug under the drivers seat and check for oil
- if you have a friend with a nanocom, borrow it and check for codes.
- check oil and coolant levels. Simply making sure they're not over or under. Smell the dip stick for diesel.
- test out all accessories (wiring or ground problems?)
- when initially starting, listen for a noisy fuel pump.... There will be a loud clatter comin from the tank.
- if possible, jack up one side of the front then the rear, lock xfer case, check for slop in the drivetrain by rotating the wheel slowly.
- check for leaks/weeps from everything.
- listen for a "box of marbles" sound after it's started. If you her it directly behind the bulkhead, from inside... it's likely the dmf. If it's from the front of the engine... Likely an idler pulley or harmonic balancer.

Most important is rust the rest are easy to fix. If you do purchase a TD5, save for a nanocom.... it will make ownership easier.

99-01 td5 see if head has been replaced/upgraded If it has then good, if not save some money for replacement

again rust.

main spots i've found it in are the bottom of the chassis rails where it rots inside out, outriggers and rear x member. oh and the doors and the bonnet frame.

listen for whine from the gearbox and check low/hi and diff lock works, then the usual stuff, coolant colour, smoke out the back, breathing heavily, oil leaks on the engine, etc etc

or do as i do, get excited and forget everything

Might want to have a look at the headlining for water damage (can be leaky sunroofs, screen not sealing or roof-rail gaskets shot) and for rust along the top edge of the windscreen aperture.

Make sure the coolant hoses aren't going rock solid after it has been driven hard.

Check the heaters chuck out hot air both when revving/moving and on idle

check there is no sign of bubbling or oil in the coolant header tank.

check the engine sounds smooth on tickover and that there is no oil in the ecu

Check the state of the air oil and fuel filters. If they look neglected then the chances are that the maintenance may not be as good as it could have been.

Yep most already mentioned
Chassis, rear around fuel tank seems most prone to rust
When turning ignition on, keep door open to listen for noisy fuel pump.
Clutch- listen for whurring from spigot bush of clutch release bearing as you depress the clutch and on test drive, push her hard for a short time in 4 or 5th gear to check for slipping.
ACE system, check condition of pipework if fitted.
Check all levels, as already mentioned coolant should be visibly clean, engine oil may be black but ensure no smell of diesel.
Check all doors and windows operate as they should, check if sunroofs operate or if they are sealed up....these points minor could could barter a betted price with such things.
Watch out for activation of warning lights when driving...and if any warnings dont be fobbed off with the old..."my mate says it just needs this and it will be fixed"
Good Luck!