2002 110 Defender 2.5TD5 - cracked cylinder head?

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TD5s do suffer from head gasket failure and sometimes cracks or porosity in the cylinder head, but this is very unlikely to lead to oil getting in the fuel tank. Has anyone looked for signs of combustion gas in the coolant? Garages can do it, or you can get a kit off Ebay. That's a much more likely sign of head or head gasket failure.

Hi again Brown, Will note this down and look for a kit off Ebay - much cheaper than a cylinder head! What do you look for on Ebay - if you wouldn't mind telling me? Thanks.
 
Assume you meant diesel there...LOL



TBH I have never heard of engine oil getting into the fuel tank....

Fuel pump running noise is quite common , on the td5 it should be in the tank. Cheaper pumps seem to make more noise that the LR ones. Some can be quite noisy.

Cheers

Hi Neilly, yes I did mean diesel - slipped up there didn't I! Yes and I bet it is an el cheapo pump!
 
I suppose conceivably a pressurised oil gallery could break through into fuel gallery, but that would be a complete one off. Much more likely is fuel getting into the oil. In the cylinder head the fuel is at 60 psi or so, so unless there was a passage between this and a pressurised oilway I can't see the oil getting in the fuel. More likely is dirt or sediment in the tank or a previous driver has attempted to run it on used oil (which is possible).

Hi Brown, I wouldn't be surprised if is dirt or sediment in the tank - here in France the petrol and diesel is pretty SH*T at the supermarkets! I don't think it would have been a previous driver as it was owned from new by an environmental council in Scotland until it came to rest here in France.
 
Hi Brown, I wouldn't be surprised if is dirt or sediment in the tank - here in France the petrol and diesel is pretty SH*T at the supermarkets! I don't think it would have been a previous driver as it was owned from new by an environmental council in Scotland until it came to rest here in France.

If it was a group with 'green' credentials then they're even more likely to have been using recycled oil. Waste engine oil, chip shop oil that's fried thousands of Mars Bars and sundry local delicacies, the lot.

The first time I took my pump out, the mesh on the bottom had what looked like grass clippings all over it, so all kinds of stuff can find its way into fuel tanks irrespective of head gasket failure.
 
If it was a group with 'green' credentials then they're even more likely to have been using recycled oil. Waste engine oil, chip shop oil that's fried thousands of Mars Bars and sundry local delicacies, the lot.

The first time I took my pump out, the mesh on the bottom had what looked like grass clippings all over it, so all kinds of stuff can find its way into fuel tanks irrespective of head gasket failure.

:eek:Amazing - perhaps they were using it to cut the lawn:) Another think to look at. Noting all these things - if I can do them then I will get my hands dirty - others I may have to leave a mechanic to do ! Thanks again
 
Thanks for all the comments guys, will check back in later to see if you have any further ideas. List is growing longer but much cheaper than parting with over 3K euros for a new cylinder head. x
 
@V8Eddie - I reckon you're in good hands here - and Oldseadog's offer to get involved over Skype is a brilliant one - take him up on it if you are still having issues :) (Though you did mention a PM or two kicking about, so you may have done this already ;))

It is like gold dust trying to find a good mechanic!:rolleyes:

I'd agree with this, and based in your experience it seems even harder in France.. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Good Luck
 
@V8Eddie - I reckon you're in good hands here - and Oldseadog's offer to get involved over Skype is a brilliant one - take him up on it if you are still having issues :) (Though you did mention a PM or two kicking about, so you may have done this already ;))



I'd agree with this, and based in your experience it seems even harder in France.. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Good Luck
Thank you for the luck Disco - I need it even more now. As car broke down twice coming home. Now she won't even fire up! :eek:
 
Well Guys - Dirty Dog is officially ill now! Won't even fire, turns over.
He just cut out as I was slowing up to a T junction, so rolled to the side of the road. After about 10 minutes I managed to fire him up and we travelled for about 5 miles when he cut out again at a roundabout junction. Again sluggishly responded after numerous attempts to fire up, felt very lumpy and not a lot of oomph!(sorry about the expressions - as I am not a mechanic or a man, I am attempting to try and describe how it felt). Limped home and sat outside with him turning over very very lumpy! Now won't fire at all, so calling the breakdown lorry tomorrow morning to transport him to the mechanic I saw this morning.
Feeling right ****ed off, sorry lads!
 
@V8Eddie

I had similar on mine last year,

Difficulty starting, gradually getting worse...but would start and run OK...

Then when I was going to go and spend the day changing the fuel filter and the injector washers it cut out on the motorway. Got rescued off of the motorway, I managed to get it restarted , travelled 4 miles and it died again, would not start, waited 10 minutes and it started and ran a further 4 miles then dies again, 5 times I waited 10 minutes and it restarted went for 4 miles and then died to travel the last 20 miles .

I changed the fuel filter and while doing this found the fuel filter housing was knackered so fitted a new one. Still had difficulty starting would not run for more than a 4 miles.before dying.

I decided to change the Crank position sensor as I was getting a spurious error on the diagnostics.

It then ran fine but would still be a PITA to start.

I eventually changed the injector washers and seals...since that day it has started and ran perfectly well .

Cheers
 
@V8Eddie

I had similar on mine last year,

Difficulty starting, gradually getting worse...but would start and run OK...

Then when I was going to go and spend the day changing the fuel filter and the injector washers it cut out on the motorway. Got rescued off of the motorway, I managed to get it restarted , travelled 4 miles and it died again, would not start, waited 10 minutes and it started and ran a further 4 miles then dies again, 5 times I waited 10 minutes and it restarted went for 4 miles and then died to travel the last 20 miles .

I changed the fuel filter and while doing this found the fuel filter housing was knackered so fitted a new one. Still had difficulty starting would not run for more than a 4 miles.before dying.

I decided to change the Crank position sensor as I was getting a spurious error on the diagnostics.

It then ran fine but would still be a PITA to start.

I eventually changed the injector washers and seals...since that day it has started and ran perfectly well .

Cheers
Hi Neilly,
Well will tell Ian the mechanic (an English mechanic with 20+ years of experience - let's hope he can sort it out!) this - as sounds pretty much like my problems. Thanks. On my first glass of lovely french wine and it doesn't feel so bad!:D
 
Please be carefull we have lots of British mechanics down here in the Algarve along with builders who have 20+ years experience some are good the rest can talk the talk and throw parts at it hoping they get it right.Hope you get one of the good uns enjoy your wine you deserve it.
 
@V8Eddie,
Sod the wine and the curry!
You've upset her by calling her a him!
All Landies are female because they can be tempramental, stubborn and a complete pain in the nether regions!
However, given love, affection and many caresses she will give unlimited loyalty and performance!
But, whatever you do, NEVER refer to her as a 'him'!! :p:p
 
@V8Eddie,
Sod the wine and the curry!
You've upset her by calling her a him!
All Landies are female because they can be tempramental, stubborn and a complete pain in the nether regions!
However, given love, affection and many caresses she will give unlimited loyalty and performance!
But, whatever you do, NEVER refer to her as a 'him'!! :p:p

You missed one other similarity....they cost a fortune to maintain...lol
 
Please be carefull we have lots of British mechanics down here in the Algarve along with builders who have 20+ years experience some are good the rest can talk the talk and throw parts at it hoping they get it right.Hope you get one of the good uns enjoy your wine you deserve it.
Hi Shippers, Yes I know - it is a shame really as it brings down the whole mechanical and building industries. I don't have much choice at the moment as have tried 2 Landrover garages - both bad news. One put back a CV joint on my RRC Classic without packing it with grease, the other a big Landrover dealership did a whole lot of work and not the leaking seal on the front wheel. So have had my fill of bad workmanship! Grrrrrr:mad: So hoping Ian is one of the good guys, let us hope so. Yes did enjoy the wine and it calmed the nerves - thanks.:)
 
Has the injector harness been replaced? Our 2003 TD5 Defender suddenly started running very lumpy with no warning, and replacing the injector harness cured it.
 
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