A Hello from essex and a plea for help.

Hi folks,

My name is Dan and I have just bought a 1988 Defender 90 which has been re-vamped and indeed a bit "pimped" (what my Dad would have called "A Mug's Eyeful") - but i'm 54 and wanted a TOY so why the hell not?

The guy I bought it from says it has had a Discovery 200tdi engine conversion. It seems to go ok. I am however surprised to see that there is no serpentine belt which I thought was a 200tdi feature (instead this one has v-belts & pulleys).

Even more surprisingly, there is no belt-driven fan on the engine (maybe the "converted" engine does not naturally "mate-up" to provide a mechanical fan in line with the RAD - I dunno). There is instead a Kenlowe fan with a switch on the dash "if you need it" was the advice given. I've never come across a water-cooled engine with no permanently driven fan.

Can anyone throw light on the V-Belts on a 200tdi conversion and the lack of a mechanical fan?

Regards,

Dan.

a kenlowe fan is great, its ment to save fuel. whats the problem with your belts?
where abouts in essex are you?

It's 300's that have a serpentine belt. All 200's have V belts.
You won't need the fan. I've got a leccy one on mine but never need it.
Relax and enjoy it.

Thanks "Treworgey 90" that settles that one.
I am a total "newbie" on Defenders so am a bit uncertain on loads of things.

A secondary question if I may?......

When I dip the oil it comes up dry. Add oil (<750ml) its still dry...
It aint falling straight thru so I called the geezer that sold it to me and he say's..."Oh, I meant to tell you about that..... The dipstick's always dry, my mechanic could never work it out. Run it until you get a warning light and then add oil".

"When did you last add Oil, says I"
"Three weeks ago says he".
"How much did you put in says I"......"A bit" says he.

My thoughts are:
1. It's the wrong dipstick for this engine.
2. There's a big problem waiting to kick me in the nuts and he was being less than honest.
3. How on earth can you run something until the warning lights start showing before you take action - sounds almost like madness???
4. Now, as i've shoved a load of oil in am I likely to suck it all up from the sump and blow the engine?

Arghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! :doh:

All sensitive & caring responses much appreciated

Nothing wrong with belts at all
I was just expecting a serpentine like on my Range Rover and as this is supposedly a Disco engine I expected something similar here.

Treworgy 90 has set my mind at rest.

I am in Benfleet in Essex BTW. Thanks for your reply.

DanClarke said:

My thoughts are:
1. It's the wrong dipstick for this engine. Possible but not very likely.
2. There's a big problem waiting to kick me in the nuts and he was being less than honest. Possible and very likely.
3. How on earth can you run something until the warning lights start showing before you take action - sounds almost like madness??? Yes
4. Now, as i've shoved a load of oil in am I likely to suck it all up from the sump and blow the engine? Yes

Arghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! :doh:

All sensitive & caring responses much appreciated

Click to expand...

Before you do anything, drain the oil completely and re-fill with the specified quantity, measured accurately.
For a 200TDi Defender, it's 6.8 litres, if you change the filter at the same time, but I can never get more than 6.5 liters in before it comes to the "H" mark on the dipstick. The quantity for a Disco engine may be different, so check first.
Then have a look and see where the level is on the dipstick.