Advise on Defender 88 value, looking to buy one

The guide I posted will serve you well

Yers a cam belt. Think change evbery 80k, but TBH good discipline to do on purchase unless you're sure of the engine history

300 Tdi is a good engine - just usual checks needed (overheating - they rarely do) and any unpleasant noises/excessive smoke

sounds good, better than the frankenfender. I would budget to change the cambelt and give it a service anyway, then you are starting from a known point

Ed

Hi, viewed the other 90 today. Not in bad shape, 300tdi, reconditioned tran box, all usual rot areas are solid. Only things are doors are a mess, ie dropped and latches don't engage to well, door cards missing. Rear cross member is on its way out, needs tailgate hinges, and rear sliding glass and heating does work. And a fairly strong oil drip from engine, but not sure where?
No history of cam belt.
Any suggestions on value and cost to source knackered parts?
Are oil leaks common/simple fix?
Cheers
Dave

Parts mainly easy and cheap, 90 doors are a bit pricey even used, i'd stick series doors on, a lot easier to find and a lot cheaper, you can buy a new set for the price of used 90 doors.

If its not leaking oil it means its run out.

My advise would be if it looks ify, walk away. This one sounds ify.

dave409787 said:

Hi, viewed the other 90 today. Not in bad shape, 300tdi, reconditioned tran box, all usual rot areas are solid. Only things are doors are a mess, ie dropped and latches don't engage to well, door cards missing. Rear cross member is on its way out, needs tailgate hinges, and rear sliding glass and heating does work. And a fairly strong oil drip from engine, but not sure where?
No history of cam belt.
Any suggestions on value and cost to source knackered parts?
Are oil leaks common/simple fix?
Cheers
Dave

Click to expand...

Too hard without pictures, year, mileage etc.

Assuming 1996ish I'd not be paying more than £2 - £2.5k, but for that the chassis and engine need to be good.

Pricing wise (assuming your paying someoen to do)

Cambelt £150
Door cards £30 - £100 depending on where you source
Hinges - c£30
Cross member - £300 - £450

Oil leaks - they largely do. Depends how bad and where from

Thanks for the above reply. I bottled it and have just purchased a 2003 xs TD5 model. Well, deposit paid anyway.

I large increase in budget, but seems like a sound investment for a few more creature comforts. Any last minute checks i should make when i go to pick it up? Its a timing chain on these right?

Bit of black smoke when turbo kicks in (fairly normal i think? new air filter maybe?)

Front wipers have seized, any advice on how to un-seize these? Rocker cover gasket leak and diff seal, other than that, the usual bodywork blisters here and there!

I'd double check, but yes think it's a chain and think it's a 'fit for life' item

Black smoke caan be over fuelling - if not excessive and not continuous shouldn't be a worry

Best advcie is to give it an immediate full service and get the chassis protected

Wipers - could be motor, linkgage or the bits the wiper arms fit onto - start point is whetehr you cna hear/feel the wiper motor trying to turn

Enjoy

Thanks matey. Fixed the wipers, a little persuasion, plenty of WD and been using them a lot!!! I guess it had just been sitting for a while. The black smoke has also cleared after a few days good blast. Cleaned and Waxoiled the chassis and prone areas, now just in for a service and probably a remap. Seems its worth it just for the increase in fuel efficiency let alone torque.

I guess this is the wrong thread for further questions now, but i'd like to remove the thule roof bars and get something a bit more robust up there(any suggestions). I'm also toying with the idea of removing the rubber bull bar, spots and head light grills, i prefer the clean look without?

Great news!

Using the Rhino bars on mine - been pleased with them

Land Rover Defender 90/110 Roof Racks & Roof Bars - Land Rover Roof Racks - Rhino Roof Racks | Van Roof Bars | Van Roof Racks | Modular Welded Rhino Roof Racks

I have 3 of their roof bars with the anti slide fitments and the rear roller (sure makes sliding ladders on soooooo much easier)


Have kept my 1994 300 Tdi Defender 90 very much factory condition, so get what you mean by the 'clean' look, but each to their own