Looking for a diesel defender. which engine is best?

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TD5 great engine, never had any problem with the "electrical bits" but all the other usual bits that go wrong can be fixed as per any other land rover. 200 tdi very underpowered in high box, over powered in low if you understand. 300 tdi a bit nicer to work on and a bit quieter. i would look at the vehicle as a hole not just what engine it has, get the best condition and lowest mile one you can find.

good luck.
 
I paid £2500 for my 200tdi but any defender for that money will need deep pockets.
I knew mine needed some welding etc but nothing on the scale I found when having a good dig around, 6 k plus later it has a new bulkhead and galvanised chassis, new brakes, suspension, fuel tank, full engine strip down replacing every gasket etc etc and I still have the body to sort out, don't get me wrong it's awesome, I love it mostly for its simplicity.
Had a td5 before hand which was utter ****e, throttle issues, head gasket, oil cooler, rubbish engine so can't recommend that, wouldn't have one given.
 
From landrovers UK:
'Between 1987 and 1991 Defender was fitted with the 19J Turbo Diesel engine and then up to 1998 Land Rover fitted a TDi engine, between 1998 and 2006 they fitted a TD5 engine, and since 2007 Land Rover have fitted the TDCi (Puma) engine. A mighty all-aluminium V8 gasoline motor was coupled to Defender between 1983 and 1994. If you can manage the average 18mpg, then there is nothing that compares with the mighty roar of the Rover V8.'
Just wanted to know the one before the td?
 
That makes sense. Thanks! What is the name of the pre 200 tdi engine, naturally aspirated?

The naturally aspirated (non-turbo) engine is the 12J, usually referred to as 2.5NA or 2.5D. Basically a longer-stroke version of the 2.25D.

The later turbo version (1986-91) is the 19J- 2.5TD. The 19J got a fairly bad press due to the older ones not really being up to the job and poor maintenance. The fact that in the 1980s 'turbo' was generally taken to mean 'really fast and awesome' probably didn't help. Later reworks improved things- my 1988 model seems to go just fine. It's not just a 12J with a turbo bolted on.

200tdi replaced the 19J at the same time as the 90/110 was renamed defender, though you'll often find them retrofitted to older NA or TD vehicles. 300tdi was a later evolution of the older 200. TDi engines are more powerful and more efficient than the older engines hence the higher asking price.
 
The naturally aspirated (non-turbo) engine is the 12J, usually referred to as 2.5NA or 2.5D. Basically a longer-stroke version of the 2.25D.

The later turbo version (1986-91) is the 19J- 2.5TD. The 19J got a fairly bad press due to the older ones not really being up to the job and poor maintenance. The fact that in the 1980s 'turbo' was generally taken to mean 'really fast and awesome' probably didn't help. Later reworks improved things- my 1988 model seems to go just fine. It's not just a 12J with a turbo bolted on.

200tdi replaced the 19J at the same time as the 90/110 was renamed defender, though you'll often find them retrofitted to older NA or TD vehicles. 300tdi was a later evolution of the older 200. TDi engines are more powerful and more efficient than the older engines hence the higher asking price.


Hi,
That's a great reply. Many thanks, I've got it all sorted in my head now.
 
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