Engine just conked out!

[Landlover99]

Hi all, My previously faultlessly reliable Deffie just just conked out today for no apparent reason. I was descending a slight hill when it just died; no death rattle or other sinister noises involved. No warning; just suddenly stopped. So far I've only been able to carry out the most minimal basic checks. The engine spins over as normal but there's no hint whatever of it firing up. The engine isn't seized. It hasn't run out of diesel as I've drained a good half pint of clean fuel from the tap on the bottom of the filter under the RH wheel arch. Two obvious things are the timing belt (not simple to inspect on this model) and the EMU (wouldn't have a clue how to test it). So.... how to proceed from here? Has anyone come up with a troubleshooting chart for that covers a 2003 TD5? cheers, LL.

 

[sierrafery]

Hi
1. The Td5 doesnt have a timing belt, it's on chain
2. If when you say EMU you mean engine ECU this can be a ptoblem but you can't test it without dedicated tester

i dunno much about defender warning porotocol but being a Td5 this "sudden death" can be caused by crank sensor failure or missing feed to ECU, if you know where the main relay is for your modell check this out cos i've read that it used to make tricks

the shortest way to an ansewer would be to find somebody near you with proper tester and plug it in

 

[DerekT]

Can you hear the fuel pump running? Has been known to give up mid journey!

 

[Shifty1962]

Check the main ECU earth point.

 

[Landlover99]

Hi
1. The Td5 doesnt have a timing belt, it's on chain
This model does have a timing belt I'm assured by my local LR main dealer on production of the VIN. It's the 2.5 litre 2003 model, btw. Going to have to get stuck in there and see if I can get a look under the timing cover...

 

[Landlover99]

Can you hear the fuel pump running? Has been known to give up mid journey!

Yep, when I reconnect the battery the pump whines as normal for a few seconds.

 

[sierrafery]

Hi
1. The Td5 doesnt have a timing belt, it's on chain
This model does have a timing belt I'm assured by my local LR main dealer on production of the VIN. It's the 2.5 litre 2003 model, btw. Going to have to get stuck in there and see if I can get a look under the timing cover...

IMO that main dealer was or drunk or incompetent... unless i am which is possible as well

Td5 is Td5 regardless or MY and it's on chain, there are some slight differencies between early and latest modells but not in the timig area

 

[johnlad]

Hi
1. The Td5 doesnt have a timing belt, it's on chain
This model does have a timing belt I'm assured by my local LR main dealer on production of the VIN. It's the 2.5 litre 2003 model, btw. Going to have to get stuck in there and see if I can get a look under the timing cover...

td5 is defo chain driven regardless of the year

 

[Landlover99]

Mine has the BMW engine, if that makes any difference.
I've had a look in the Haynes manual, and from what I can gather, to determine whether it's chain or belt requires removal of the sump, the crankshaft pulley and the cylinder head - which makes no sense to me. I'm guessing I can only tell for *sure* by actual inspection, but the steps involved are a serious PITA, it seems.

 

[sierrafery]

Mine has the BMW engine, if that makes any difference.

it makes a huge difference cos if it's BMW engine it's 300Tdi not Td5 so you are in the wrong section cos that's completely different

 

[blue beasty]

it makes a huge difference cos if it's BMW engine it's 300Tdi not Td5 so you are in the wrong section cos that's completely different

The Td5 is often called a BMW engine as it was fitted under BMW ownership even though it was designed and developed by LR.

Unless it's a retro fit no way is an 03 a 300tdi and all Td5s have a chain driven cam.

I think the OP needs to clarify

 

[DerekT]

Surely if he can hear the fuel pump running in the tank it must be a td5? Definitely chain driven timing!

 

[Landlover99]

it makes a huge difference cos if it's BMW engine it's 300Tdi not Td5 so you are in the wrong section cos that's completely different

Nope! I have the reg doc in front of me and it's definitely 2.5.

 

[blue beasty]

Nope! I have the reg doc in front of me and it's definitely 2.5.

Both the 300tdi and Td5 are 2.5.

How many cylinders does it have?

 

[sierrafery]

both the 300tdi and td5 are 2.5.

how many cylinders does it have?

good point

 

[Landlover99]

I'll nip outside and have a look in a jif. I'd always assumed it was 5 but I'm through with assuming *anything* from now on!

 

[blue beasty]

good point

I'm good at the basics.....


It's after that everything falls apart

 

[sierrafery]

I'll nip outside and have a look in a jif. I'd always assumed it was 5 but I'm through with assuming *anything* from now on!

Anyway, if it has 5 it means it's Td5 and forget about what the dealer said cos it's on chain. You have some good starting points from the first answers here and check crank sensor(at least plug/wiring), ECU feed main relay(where ever it is) and ECU main earth but the best would be to plug in a tester cos it can point you directly to the problem cos you might get "checksum error" or "topside switch failure" which is quite common on Td5s whith that sudden death symptom then you can dismantle the whole car without joy cos you need a new ECU

 

[Landlover99]

OK, thanks guys. It's either 4 or 5 cylinders; I can't tell which because of the shrowding that everything seems to come with nowadays just to make life difficult. BTW, it does clearly have TD5 in the impression on the top cover - picture coming up....

 

[Landlover99]

Here we go, you can now tell me what it is: