Winterising a Defender

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Winterizing a Defender, check all the door seals and adjust the locks so they close tight with no gaps around the door. Piece of linoleum over the rad. Works better than the rad muff. Blank off the rear part of the cab so less area to heat up. Check the Heater matrix is not blocked and no leaves blocking the airflow to the heater fan. Buy yourself a good warm coat, scarf and gloves. Line the floor areas with carpet to give better insulation. Then hope its not going to be too cold this winter. And hope the inside doesn't get flooded and soak all your carpeting.
 
My original heater matrix was as warm as toast on my 200tdi even tooooo warm

But it got bust ! (long story) and got sent a replacement one in a blue box :mad: Not half as hot as me old one !
 
Jason2 said:
My original heater matrix was as warm as toast on my 200tdi even tooooo warm

But it got bust ! (long story) and got sent a replacement one in a blue box :mad: Not half as hot as me old one !
Click to expand...

can't you just think of the time, effort and money wasted fitting a britpart.. surely that boiling blood will keep you warm :D
 
Anyone know where to get the rad-haz sets for a 90?

Plenty of 110 but can bugger all for the 90!

Also any suggestions for those of us with full width intercoolers in terms of rad muffs ... will it cause issues?

I cant get my 300 up to middle on the temp gauge and that was when it was sunny! Comes off cold, but only just and sits there ... will sometimes get up to middle, but withint a few minutes drop right back down again!

That's with a recent pump, coolant etc etc
 
Hairball said:
i Have a 90 300TDI,
recently fitted a new Rad, pump etc, it is up to running temp within 5 minutes of driving,
and the heater works fine.
would there still be any benefit to me fitting a rad muff..??
Click to expand...


No, I tested my 300 last year with and without a makeshift rad muff, made sod all difference, water isnt flowing round the rad until the temps up anyway, and if the stat if working properly, it will modulate the cooling.

Removing the fan didnt seem to change owt either.
 
taazzukcb said:
Anyone know where to get the rad-haz sets for a 90?

Plenty of 110 but can bugger all for the 90!

Also any suggestions for those of us with full width intercoolers in terms of rad muffs ... will it cause issues?

I cant get my 300 up to middle on the temp gauge and that was when it was sunny! Comes off cold, but only just and sits there ... will sometimes get up to middle, but withint a few minutes drop right back down again!

That's with a recent pump, coolant etc etc
Click to expand...

Thermostat?? mines up to temp in 5 mins, 10 if its really cold and stays bang on middle.
 
Good info!

I usualy stuff a blanket behind the front seats im my 90 for some reason theres a terrible cold chill that comes from there (no holes i checked).

Also stuff a blanket in the battery box which seems to help.
 
bankz5152 said:
Good info!

I usualy stuff a blanket behind the front seats im my 90 for some reason theres a terrible cold chill that comes from there (no holes i checked).

Also stuff a blanket in the battery box which seems to help.
Click to expand...

that doesn't sound dangerous :D

try shoving polystyrene in, it'll melt but should be harder to catch fire. it will also insulate better
 
timtheenchanteruk said:
No, I tested my 300 last year with and without a makeshift rad muff, made sod all difference, water isnt flowing round the rad until the temps up anyway, and if the stat if working properly, it will modulate the cooling.

Removing the fan didnt seem to change owt either.
Click to expand...

i was always under the impression a rad muf was to stop the rad from iceing in extreem temps, not to make the engine run hotter, as you say thats what the thermostat is for. used to take an age to warm up but since fitting a new stat it warms up in the first 2 miles of driving and sits spot on middle of the dial, weather moveing of static...
 
timtheenchanteruk said:
No, I tested my 300 last year with and without a makeshift rad muff, made sod all difference, water isnt flowing round the rad until the temps up anyway, and if the stat if working properly, it will modulate the cooling.

Removing the fan didnt seem to change owt either.
Click to expand...

i''ve just confused myself!
 
Last edited:
Hairball said:
i was always under the impression a rad muf was to stop the rad from iceing in extreem temps, not to make the engine run hotter, as you say thats what the thermostat is for. used to take an age to warm up but since fitting a new stat it warms up in the first 2 miles of driving and sits spot on middle of the dial, weather moveing of static...
Click to expand...



Afaik they are used in extremes to keep heat in the engine bay and reduce the draught, watch ice road truckers, they still leave the viscous fan on the trucks.
 
Tried a radiator muff on mine, didn't make much difference really.

I have fitted an additional heater under the back seats that runs from the cooling system, that's helped a lot.

T7designs sell lots. Easy to fit and helps with the heat in the back.

Defender heaters are pretty good once the engine is warmed up. But of course this can take a little while with a huge lump of iron!
 
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