Help? 2.5TD bad oil leak above/near steering box LHD

Hi All,

Recently picked up a left hand drive 1990 90 with the 2.5 TD imported to the US from Italy. Engine has around 85k miles and was supposedly rebuilt around 80k. I recently fitted a catch can as I thought oil was leaking out of the bottom of the air filter housing but now realize there is actually a leak somewhere underneath the air filter housing and above the steering box. I can't figure out how to remove the air filter housing to figure out exactly where the leak is coming from, but it basically is dripping down right near the front left wheel, basically saturating the steering box, suspension and everything on the left side near the wheel. I have searched a bunch of posts on various Defender and Land Rover websites but can't find anyone who seems to have the exact same issue. It is impossible to tell where that leak is coming from when looking down from the engine bay as the gigantic tripod air filter housing is blocking everything and it seems impossible to get out the three bolts that hold it in place to diagnose. I'm sure I'll get to it but before I tackle that and pull everything apart I'm hoping to know what the likely cause is so I can order some parts or at least be prepared for the repair. Leak is bad, losing 1/2 quart in 120 trip.

Any information greatly appreciated for a newbie to these old rigs!

If it’s not the oil filter/housing, it could be the oil cooler.

meego said:

If it’s not the oil filter/housing, it could be the oil cooler.

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Ignore this. For some reason I thought it was a TD5

OJM said:

Any information greatly appreciated for a newbie to these old rigs!

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Pictures, All the pictures, both of the vehicle as a whole so we can be nosy, and also some of the side of the engine leaking (I apricate that may not show much but will give an idea)

@meego retracted his comment but the oil filter and cooler will be on the other side. There is nothing filled with oil under the air filter other than the pas box and pipes. which obviously would not cause engine oil to drop the level.

Here are some pictures. A little background, I recently did an oil change and put in Rotella 15W40 and a new filter. I know some people run mineral oil in these engines and I couldn't source any locally and wanted to make sure I got some fresh lubricant in the engine as the vehicle had set for a bit. When I look at the side of the block on the left side it is a little damp where there could be some oil leaking there and some grime but I need to clean it really good and see if I can figure anything out. It's just very odd how it pulls under the steering box but appears to be oil when I look at it as there's no reddish tint. I'm going through a decent amount of oil when I do some highway driving around 120 miles round trip so I definitely am monitoring the oil closely but want to get this fixed. Unfortunately, I'm heading out of town for 10 days on business so going to have to deal with it when I get back and we'll update this post. If anyone has theories on whether this could be something like the oil pan gasket only leaking in the front left corner or some other points of leak on the left side of the block, much appreciated if you can share! Pictures attached

You need to start by thoroughly cleaning the engine to remove all traces of oil. Dry it off and let it run for a bit then inspect for the leak.

meego said:

You need to start by thoroughly cleaning the engine to remove all traces of oil. Dry it off and let it run for a bit then inspect for the leak.

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and if you really want to go the extra mile once you have cleaned it all off give it a dusting of talcum powder to really show up any oil leak pathways.

OJM said:

Here are some pictures. A little background, I recently did an oil change and put in Rotella 15W40 and a new filter. I know some people run mineral oil in these engines and I couldn't source any locally and wanted to make sure I got some fresh lubricant in the engine as the vehicle had set for a bit. When I look at the side of the block on the left side it is a little damp where there could be some oil leaking there and some grime but I need to clean it really good and see if I can figure anything out. It's just very odd how it pulls under the steering box but appears to be oil when I look at it as there's no reddish tint. I'm going through a decent amount of oil when I do some highway driving around 120 miles round trip so I definitely am monitoring the oil closely but want to get this fixed. Unfortunately, I'm heading out of town for 10 days on business so going to have to deal with it when I get back and we'll update this post. If anyone has theories on whether this could be something like the oil pan gasket only leaking in the front left corner or some other points of leak on the left side of the block, much appreciated if you can share! Pictures attached

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15/40 will be fine, mineral is what will have orginally been speced but any 15/40 will work with the engine. the 19J is also renowned for leaking and smoking (similar to most land rover products of a certain age!) do you have a couple of pics of under the bonnet, specifically that corner/sid eof the engine. I know the air filter is in the way so will not see a lot, but it may help.

Given the location with how far forward it is and the fact it definitely isn't PAS fluid, I would be back looking at the radiator/oil cooler. The pipes may be the other side, but the cooler itself could be leaking.

Okay, back from trip and hoping to tackle some Defender maintenance this weekend. I am attaching more pictures. I am thinking of cleaning everything up and replacing the valve (rocker) cover gasket and adding some copper washers to the bolts that go through the center as there seems to be weeping from every where (see the pics). I am hoping to avoid a head gasket replacement and don't think that is my issue as I don't have the usual symptoms. I just figure start at the top and work my way down, thoughts?

As for the dripping near the driver side wheel, although it looks like oil and not power steering fluid, I will clean up and repair (or replace) the pump and/or leaking lines. Just doesn't make sense that it's the power steering fluid as I have very little drop in the tank and there seems to be a little puddle after any long drive. I am still going through about a half of cord of oil every 100 or 150 miles of highway driving around 60 mph, which is why I think it's oil leaking from somewhere but need to clean everything up this weekend and try to figure out the source of the leak or leaks! Anyway, appreciate anyone's thoughts on how to start tackling the leaking issues and whether it makes sense to start with the valve cover gasket.

Three totally random and separate no mechanical questions:
1. I have a rear window defroster but no switch in my dashboard for the rear defroster. I'm assuming someone took it out to fit in a fog light switch in that location to the left of the left hand drive steering wheel at some point, but any ideas on how best to find the rear defroster wiring in the dash and where to source a new switch? I was driving on a rainy night recently and it was a real pain not having a rear window I can see out of!

2. I'm also trying to figure out a plan for winter as I'm guessing the heater is not capable of keeping this thing warm in the cold weather here so let me know if anyone has thoughts on how I can supplement that. I'm guessing there's some type of aftermarket rear heater I could connect.

3. Lastly, do the turn signal indicators not turn off automatically on Defenders stalk switch? If a newer stalk switch could remedy, I will upgrade as I keep forgetting to turn off after a turn....also, the horn switch works intermittently so may make sense for me to install a new stalk switch.

Thanks! I know, annoying newbie questions.

OJM said:

I have a rear window defroster but no switch in my dashboard for the rear defroster. I'm assuming someone took it out to fit in a fog light switch in that location to the left of the left hand drive steering wheel at some point, but any ideas on how best to find the rear defroster wiring in the dash and where to source a new switch? I was driving on a rainy night recently and it was a real pain not having a rear window I can see out of!

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The rear heated window switch should be down by your knee between the steering wheel and the door. If you have a fog switch there then I would remove the little three switch panel and see if the wiring for the heated rear window is still behind there and just unplugged. However believe the heated rear was an optional extra that not every vehicle had and just because it is on the door does not mean it was there originally. However the wiring loom should still have it in place.

OJM said:

2. I'm also trying to figure out a plan for winter as I'm guessing the heater is not capable of keeping this thing warm in the cold weather here so let me know if anyone has thoughts on how I can supplement that. I'm guessing there's some type of aftermarket rear heater I could connect.

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The heater is perfectly capable of putting out enough warm air for a UK winter (not sure how cold it gets where you are) however with the age it is likely that the heater box and the dash will need to be overhauled and re-sealed to actually get the cabin hot. you will find a lot of the hot air escapes before getting to the cabin, and a lot of cold air comes into the cabin to cancel the hot air out.

OJM said:

Lastly, do the turn signal indicators not turn off automatically on Defenders stalk switch? If a newer stalk switch could remedy, I will upgrade as I keep forgetting to turn off after a turn....also, the horn switch works intermittently so may make sense for me to install a new stalk switch.

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They should self cancel, does it have the original steering wheel? some after market wheels do not have the little prongs on the back that interreact with the switch to cancel the indicator.