Engine out or not?

I have been working on a 1985 90 for a while now. The plan is to restore in readiness for when my son is old enough to drive. He's 14 now so it gives me a bit of time. It seems to have a sweet running engine apart from an oil encrusted engine bay.

Chassis has been sorted over the last few months and gearbox/transfer box all refurb'd by a well known forum member

Axles currently stripped out and waiting re-build.

Now, bowing down to the experience that is on this forum, should I have the engine out?

If yes, how far would you go with a stripdown of the engine? What work to it would you recommend doing?

It's intended to be a keeper within the family so I'm taking the long term view.

Thanks.

Depends upon which engine it is and if there are any issues with it

Doh! Sorry, should have said, it's a 300tdi. As far as I know it's been in there for about 4 years appx. When we drove it home everything seemed good with the engine.

It's just that the opportunity is now there to sort anything on the engine that could be an issue down the line. I don't know how many miles the 300tdi unit has on it btw.

Personally I'b be inclined to leave it in, maybe do the head gasket (personally I'm to lazy and mines not using any oil or water) or do the cam belt if for nothing more than peace if mind

As above, leave it if it seems ok, most of the stuff that may need doing is manageable with the engine in place. Just steam clean the engine bay to get rid of the crud.

Water pump and p gasket

mick the builder said:

Water pump and p gasket

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Forgot them also thermostat

Karls said:

Doh! Sorry, should have said, it's a 300tdi. As far as I know it's been in there for about 4 years appx. When we drove it home everything seemed good with the engine.

It's just that the opportunity is now there to sort anything on the engine that could be an issue down the line. I don't know how many miles the 300tdi unit has on it btw.

Click to expand...

Depends on what's been done to it and mileage. Sometimes you take things to pieces and they are never the same again!

If it was me and I was looking to do work to it to keep it long term and it was off the road for these works I would certainly do some preventative maintenance on it.

If it's all oily then it sounds like its a leaky 300tdi, most are, but my Disco for example didn't loose a drop, I would drive it onto peoples driveways safe in the knowledge it would not mark it's territory for that reason I was always reluctant to touch the Discos engine.

Are you doing the clutch? That's another factor in the engine out question, if yes then it's a no brainer, engine out is easier anyway and you can kill two birds with the one stone.

If yes take the flywheel off and do the rear crank bearing, get a good one, buy all your engine bits from Turner Engineering.

I would not take the head off if its all OK. I would consider taking things like the vac and lift pump off and sealing them all up so they don't leak oil. Drop the sump and reseal it if it leaks, timing belt unless you know it was done recently enough, check for leaks and work out there source and take bits off and replace gaskets and seals.

I would probably take the water pump off and the water pump body off the block, replace the P gasket and fit a new water pump, again Turners for a good one.

Excellent advice so far, cheers chaps!