Cold weather modification

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payydg

payydg

Well-Known Member
Posts
3,925
Location
Aberdeenshire
What modifications can be made to a 200tdi defender to deal with cold weather?

It's due to go to Norway this summer and then the Himalayas to be used as a mobile clinic the following winter.

From searching on here, I've got as far as using the correct oil, dual insulated oddessey batteries (to run the fridges), snow cowel for the heater, AT tires, waffle boards (not sure how much use these are?), snow chains (any good?), snow spade.

Is there anything you can do to the engine to prepare it for that kind of environment? Is there any particular problems I should expect?

I'm taking it to Scotland in a few weeks to try and cut my teeth in the cold weather, but I'm quite new to all this.

I've been a climber and mountaineer for some time so I've got personal kit under control it's more for the poor landy.

D
 
payydg said:
What modifications can be made to a 200tdi defender to deal with cold weather?

It's due to go to Norway this summer and then the Himalayas to be used as a mobile clinic the following winter.

From searching on here, I've got as far as using the correct oil, dual insulated oddessey batteries (to run the fridges), snow cowel for the heater, AT tires, waffle boards (not sure how much use these are?), snow chains (any good?), snow spade.

Is there anything you can do to the engine to prepare it for that kind of environment? Is there any particular problems I should expect?

I'm taking it to Scotland in a few weeks to try and cut my teeth in the cold weather, but I'm quite new to all this.

Drive carefully, think weight transfer ;)

I've been a climber and mountaineer for some time so I've got personal kit under control it's more for the poor landy.

D
Click to expand...

Google winterized Landrovers :D
 
Found some MUD heating vents, that replace the existing vents and blow onto the side windows to help clear them? Anyone used these?
 
payydg said:
What modifications can be made to a 200tdi defender to deal with cold weather?

It's due to go to Norway this summer and then the Himalayas to be used as a mobile clinic the following winter.

From searching on here, I've got as far as using the correct oil, dual insulated oddessey batteries (to run the fridges), snow cowel for the heater, AT tires, waffle boards (not sure how much use these are?), snow chains (any good?), snow spade.

Is there anything you can do to the engine to prepare it for that kind of environment? Is there any particular problems I should expect?

I'm taking it to Scotland in a few weeks to try and cut my teeth in the cold weather, but I'm quite new to all this.

I've been a climber and mountaineer for some time so I've got personal kit under control it's more for the poor landy.

D
Click to expand...
hi i live in poland and have similar conditions in the winter for christ sake make sure your antifreeze is to -35 or better what i do out here is fill it with -37 and add a litre of concentrate if you can get hold of a set of exmod snow chains they fit 235/85/16s -7.50s and as snowchains go they have far more agressive snow studs and a stronger construction, you will find waffle boards to be very helpful and you will definatly be wanting either a pre heat for the mornings and you want a radiator muff hope this gives you a bit of a guide
 
Have a look at these instead of the mud versions: Landrover Side window Demister - Defender Demister They are cheaper and you don't need to cut your dashboard up- a friend has them and seems to rate them.

It would be well worth insulating all metal panels inside the vehicle, checking that your heater is fully working and sealed from leaks within the bulkhead and that all the doors/bulkhead vent seals are working properly.

Have you fitted a radiator muff? I've used an old feed sack before and the land rover would heat up so much quicker.

Harry
 
CJ2a said:
hi i live in poland and have similar conditions in the winter for christ sake make sure your antifreeze is to -35 or better what i do out here is fill it with -37 and add a litre of concentrate if you can get hold of a set of exmod snow chains they fit 235/85/16s -7.50s and as snowchains go they have far more agressive snow studs and a stronger construction, you will find waffle boards to be very helpful and you will definatly be wanting either a pre heat for the mornings and you want a radiator muff hope this gives you a bit of a guide
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot buddy, great advice I'll try and get some of those chains off eBay. How does your landy get on in hat kind of weather? Does it have good and bad days?

D
 
Boris113 said:
Have a look at these instead of the mud versions: Landrover Side window Demister - Defender Demister They are cheaper and you don't need to cut your dashboard up- a friend has them and seems to rate them.

It would be well worth insulating all metal panels inside the vehicle, checking that your heater is fully working and sealed from leaks within the bulkhead and that all the doors/bulkhead vent seals are working properly.

Have you fitted a radiator muff? I've used an old feed sack before and the land rover would heat up so much quicker.

Harry
Click to expand...

Again, sound advice. Had though of a radiator muff! Was thinking of using old army roll matts to try and insulate as much as possible?

Can u see any probs with that?

D
 
Definitly get a radiator muff, it will help keep the engine temperature up a bit (and in turn the heaters a bit warmer), ideally you want one that doesnt cover the intercooler and a lot of people will make a simple one from a bit of ply that just covers the rad. I would look into a diesel heater for inside the vehicle as at low temperatures the heaters will struggle to put more heat into the cab than is lost. A few bags of salt would be good as well as snow blankets to aid traction.

Engine wise you will need to change the coolant for a suitable low temp solution (get a decent one that doesnt use water if possible), you may need to look into a diesel pre-heater as well depending how cold you are intending to go, under a certain temp the diesel will need additives but thats pretty serious cold weather stuff...
 
payydg said:
Again, sound advice. Had though of a radiator muff! Was thinking of using old army roll matts to try and insulate as much as possible?

Can u see any probs with that?

D
Click to expand...

None at all, a lot of people use camping mats because they are closed cell foam and very easy to cut/fold. Have a search around on here, there are lots of people that have done it.

Have you considered removing the viscous fan, where you are going it doesn't sound like you will suffer from overheating. You can always take it with you just in case though
 
Boris113 said:
None at all, a lot of people use camping mats because they are closed cell foam and very easy to cut/fold. Have a search around on here, there are lots of people that have done it.

Have you considered removing the viscous fan, where you are going it doesn't sound like you will suffer from overheating. You can always take it with you just in case though
Click to expand...

Have replace the viscous fan with a manual electric for wading and so we can have it on when we pick the land rover up in India.

Will get some cheap roll matts then. Thanks mate
 
Jongould said:
Definitly get a radiator muff, it will help keep the engine temperature up a bit (and in turn the heaters a bit warmer), ideally you want one that doesnt cover the intercooler and a lot of people will make a simple one from a bit of ply that just covers the rad. I would look into a diesel heater for inside the vehicle as at low temperatures the heaters will struggle to put more heat into the cab than is lost. A few bags of salt would be good as well as snow blankets to aid traction.

Engine wise you will need to change the coolant for a suitable low temp solution (get a decent one that doesnt use water if possible), you may need to look into a diesel pre-heater as well depending how cold you are intending to go, under a certain temp the diesel will need additives but thats pretty serious cold weather stuff...
Click to expand...

Thanks buddy, what kind of additives do you mean and how do they work? Sorry for stupid questions
 
The first thong I would do is go over the cooling system and renew anything that is suspect.
Check the condition of all the hoses and the water pump and rad.
I cant say how much for a Defender but Ive just done this on my Disco and for the water pump, top and bottom hoses, stat, rad, header tank and coolant for under £200.
 
Jongould said:
:D;)

Petrol in the diesel can start to eat away at seals e.t.c. and can also cause pre-detonation, for prolonged use its not ideal...
Click to expand...

Couple of fill ups over winter won't cause any harm to seals and keeping within the 20% max should also prevent detonation

run mine with petrol in it every week to keep the cooking oil nice and thin :)

my winter mod has been to turn my heated seats from OFF to ON :D
 
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