Bargain SWB Series III diesel Landy or trouble?

Can anyone advise me here regarding my newly purchased 1978 Series III model Landy, 2268cc diesel, genuine 65,000 miles I believe (formerly Fireserivice owned hence low mileage)?

It has some "piston slap" meaning it is making a bit more noise that one would like, and although not yet pressurising the sump there is some smoke evident when the cap is removed during running/idling. A friend showed me how to test which cylinder is responsible or where the piston rings are sticking in (hold short rod between your ear or side of your head and the top of each cylinder in turn) but apparently its always number three cylinder which gives trouble as this is the most likely affected when the engine overheats somewhat.

I'm on to sorting out the heating system, flushing or replacing the radiator etc. by the end of the week, and once this has been done I have been told STP oil additive or Winns additive in the oil (and/or fuel was it) may work at freeing the piston ring and even if it doesn't it still worth trying before more drastic action taken.

What do you think are my chances of success and whether I'm correct in believing I've still got a bargain at under 1K and good chassis, gearbox and general body condition (truck body by the way)?

if ya likw it i can get a 2.5 doisel engine for cheap and you must WANT to restore it.If ya no heethan then 2 1/4 engines are easy however i would advise fittin a 2.5.

Can anyone give me any encouragement as to whether I might be able to free up the number three cylinder piston rings by putting additives into the oil or fuel, or indeed directly into the cylinder (as the prospects of changing an engine quite beyond this novice without more help than I dare call upon from friends)?

Hard to say as so much depends on how badly it's gummed up, or indeed if it really is just piston rings!

Whereabouts are you (roughly) maybe someone with more knowledge could have a looksee for you ...

I am based in Wiltshire but the land rover will be kept in Cheshire on my parents farm unless I get it sorted and become more adventurous.

I think I have got good assistance from people who know really, but it would have been nice to find someone with experience of trying to free piston rings here (as you say it is hard to know whether the the trouble I've described is the whole story, but lets hope so).

Finally, if the land rover is basically sound chassis wise, suspension wise and gearbox wise, and has the benefit of no road tax required and low insurance for classic vehicles etc. what would you think it might be worth (in case I do have to "press button B" and see if I can get my money back)?

grahamg2 said:

Finally, if the land rover is basically sound chassis wise, suspension wise and gearbox wise, and has the benefit of no road tax required and low insurance for classic vehicles etc. what would you think it might be worth (in case I do have to "press button B" and see if I can get my money back)?

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what makes you think it is tax exempt ?

dont thy and get ya money back,, trust me if it was a bargin 50 quid for another 2.25 doosil, or £200 for a 200tdi , dont get ya money back u will regret it.

You ask a fair question about the tax exemption etc. but I do have a tax disc with the land rover stating cost "Nil" and it was sold under those terms so I think I'm okay.

As far as getting out and selling again I will only do this if I feel I have bitten off more than I can chew, which is a way to go yet. I am getting severe p*** taking from one or two of my father's mates, although they did point out to me the radiator being blocked so that was useful (hopefully I will get it flushed out this week, or if not successful an exchange one fitted). Also my father has taken a dislike to it after he got a bit gassed when I took him around the roads in it last week (understandably, especially when he couldn't get the passenger window open either), plus because the suspension is good it is a bit high off the ground for him to climb into, and even if I get a step at eighty nine almost he may struggle to climb in without slipping (his old land rover has an almost collapsed chassis I keep codging up for him, but it means he can climb in better).

Once again, sorry to press but I am still interested in whether anyone knows of a successful freeing of piston rings episode - at the motor spares shop today the owner did give me some encouragement but a bit more would be nice!

take it out and strip it down and rebuild it

grahamg2 said:

You ask a fair question about the tax exemption etc. but I do have a tax disc with the land rover stating cost "Nil" and it was sold under those terms so I think I'm okay.

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if (as you say above) it's a 1978 model it WONT be tax exempt

Exemptions from paying vehicle tax : Directgov - Motoring

Thanks for info Sean - I guess the tax exemption certificate I have was granted for some other reason than the age of the vehicle.

Can't forsee me trying to change the engine myself, so will try all else to reduce piston slap but am already a bit crest fallen to know I haven't got quite the bargain I thought I had regarding tax status. Nonetheless if it can tow and be used usefully off road, assuming engine does stand up to towing etc. then I won't think I've done too bad (anyone offering me profit or a fair price though in case I choose to sell it?)

Road tax is probably Nil because it was Fire Service. I beleieve you have to meet fairly strict requirements to keep it that way.

Dear All,

Thanks for all the advice so far, and although I may be speaking too soon saying this, I think I've succeeded in freeing up the radiator (using drains clearing acid - radiator removed from vehicle of course and all kinds of precautions taken to for health and safety), and maybe the piston ring has been freed up to using redex squirted directly into the number three cylinder and left overnight to soak in (when I did the trick of putting a rod from your head to the cylinder block I could no longer hear the rattle).

I'm taking it to a friends garage tomorrow to get the underneath given a profer checking - their does appear to be a few seals oozing a bit, especially on the front axle universal joints if you know what I mean. If I get to see the boss at the garage and he gives it some praise I may start to feel like a genius purchaser again!