300 tdi basic mechanics course

Hi all,
Anyone know of some sort of course on basic mechanics for defender 300 tdi in north essex area..planing an African year long trip and want to learn the basics..
Thanks

A haynes manual and practical experience

Jtnelec said:

Hi all,
Anyone know of some sort of course on basic mechanics for defender 300 tdi in north essex area..planing an African year long trip and want to learn the basics..
Thanks

Click to expand...

As said, Haynes manual is a must, you can get a 300tdi specific one from Paddocks,

Tool wise,

Metric and Imperial socket set,

Allan Key set,

Hammer,

And lastly a screw driver set, manual not electric on the off chance you cant charge a battery powered one

A prop socket is worth its weight in gold as is a 1/2 inch bi hex socket to get calipers off for when you change the wheel bearings!

box spanner, or 52mm socket to do the bearings

There's plenty threads on what tools to carry. How about a quick and easy explanation for the guy to help him carry out the most common problems and repairs he'll come across I.e. wheel bearing, UJ etc....

OP if you can find busters guides on here then print them out and keep them, they're brilliant and very handy

I find the landrover workshop manual to be pretty good, if you pm me I can email you a copy if you want. Seemed easier to follow than Haynes.

As for a course on maintenance, just start doing jobs yourself and you will soon work stuff out. That is what I started with last year and now feel I can do most jobs myself. Still not brave enough to do the cambelt though!

Thanks all,
Looks like getting straight stuck in is the way forward

In my experience, with everything done up right before you set off, it will almost certainly take you there and back without any problems.
I would recommend a cam belt change, new bearings all round, a proper set of tyres so you don't get stuck just about everywhere you go, and a full compliment of air and lube filters because you would need to change those out a bit more frequently than if you drove on tarmac.
You need to ensure that your cooling system is functioning at 100% because when you consider you may find yourself driving at some of highest recorded ambient temperatures through sand or muck in low gears at high engine revs, the last thing you would want to do is have to replace a head gasket in the middle of nowhere.
That said, I have always maintained that the best engine suited for this kind of endeavor is the 200tdi. Many may argue that point but its worked for me, and at 310, 000 its hardly broken a sweat.

To end, carry along an extra complement of tools (standard 6 to 32 mm socket set), a set of spanners, spare drive belts and install a winch to help out when even low range can't help.

Yeah I could do with a prop socket!

I have been using the Bentley manuals to supplement some of my original manuals. They are the best publishers of BMW off the shelf manuals, I am thinking that the same would be for Landys.

I will get this one once I have a Landy in my paws...

Land Rover - Land Rover Repair Manual: Defender: 1993-1995  -  Bentley Publishers - Repair Manuals and Automotive Books

One of you guys who is machanically oriented should grab one of these and give feedback.

I was interested until I saw the price

I run a course every saturday afternoon from my Garage in Braintree.

There is the normal £6k course fees plus parking outside my house at £5 a day, then you would need to provide your own lunch as the canteen is closed on Saturday.

Applications have to be in for approval by 1st April 2014.

Note: This is not an official course and no recognised qualifications are gained at the end.


On a serious note, I live in Braintree and have a little knowledge of the 300tdi engine and would be happy to offer help and advice.

For £6000 I would want oral sex performed on me non stop by a stunning blonde Swedish lass along with someone doing all of my mechanics for the next 6 months

Why? Students don't get that for there fees, or do they?

I forgot, your kids don't have fees in Scotland do they? :lol:

lynall said:

A prop socket is worth its weight in gold as is a 1/2 inch bi hex socket to get calipers off for when you change the wheel bearings!

Click to expand...

What size socket is needed for the callipers?

13mm bihex ain't it?

At least it was when I did it last night

Brian S said:

Why? Students don't get that for there fees, or do they?

Click to expand...

Wouldn't know, never been a student