Help identifying my defender 90!!

Howhardgerrard · Sep 29, 2021

Hello All,
My names Adam I’m from nottingham.
I’m new to land rovers and I love the look of them so much so I bought one a few weeks ago.
I need help identifying the originality of the engine or if it’s been swapped.
The previous owner was a elderly gentleman who recently passed away.
The defender is a 1991 90 SWB , the logbook states it’s a 4C 2.5 na diesel 12j engine , also says 4x4 Utility.
I went recently to get it serviced from a local mechanic who believed the 1991 year should have a 200 tdi engine in suggesting this engine was replaced with the 2.5 na.
Weird thing is though I went to Land Rover dealer in nottingham after to get a few bits for it and they said on their system with the reg the engine it came with from factory is a 2.5 d NA engine thats in the vehicle at the moment.
They said utility or ex military defenders still had the 2.5 diesel NA perkins engine in up to 1994.
I googled defender utility and most of them have no windows however this one does.

Can anyone shed any light on it , it’s curiosity more then anything I love the truck even it if has 70bhp

I’ve attached a photo

Howhardgerrard · Sep 29, 2021

Picture didnt upload before

Hicap phill · Sep 29, 2021

Take a photo of the brackets that hold the windscreen to the bulkhead.

Sirronluap · Sep 29, 2021

Nice motor!

flat · Sep 29, 2021

You could still order the 2.5na engine in 1991 so if Land Rover have it down as that’s what it was built as then the engine is original. Use a VIN decoder to see if it comes back as a 12j engine. If it does the engine is original.
https://www.lrworkshop.com/vin-decoder

also the 2.5na isn’t a Perkins engine.

bluedog333 · Sep 29, 2021

What the dealer said is correct. The windows do not look like standard, so more than likely have been added by a previous owner. Looks like a nice Landy anyway. It may be a bit slow, but the 12j is a steady old girl.

tottot · Sep 29, 2021

As above, after 30 years many additions may have been fitted. If what you need is a reliable run around that is fun to drive stay with the 12j.

300bhp/ton · Sep 29, 2021

Howhardgerrard said:
Picture didnt upload before

Wow that must be really slow on the road with those wheels and a 2.5NAD.

BTW - those wires (bush cables) probably aren't the sort of thing to have fitted when driving on the roads.

Curious, why are you doubting the engine is correct?

Howhardgerrard · Sep 29, 2021

Hicap phill said:
Take a photo of the brackets that hold the windscreen to the bulkhead.

Is this clear enough ?

Howhardgerrard · Sep 29, 2021

flat said:
You could still order the 2.5na engine in 1991 so if Land Rover have it down as that’s what it was built as then the engine is original. Use a VIN decoder to see if it comes back as a 12j engine. If it does the engine is original.
https://www.lrworkshop.com/vin-decoder

also the 2.5na isn’t a Perkins engine.

it’s the same engine thanks for your help

Howhardgerrard · Sep 29, 2021

300bhp/ton said:
Wow that must be really slow on the road with those wheels and a 2.5NAD.

BTW - those wires (bush cables) probably aren't the sort of thing to have fitted when driving on the roads.

Curious, why are you doubting the engine is correct?

just curiosity factor really I like the whole history behind the defender so thought I’d ask

mick 1986 · Sep 29, 2021

Howhardgerrard said:
it’s the same engine thanks for your help

I wouldn’t post that photo if I were you. You can easily decide that VIN back to a number and stamp it onto a ringer!

flat · Sep 29, 2021

Howhardgerrard said:
it’s the same engine thanks for your help

then it’s still got the original engine it was built with. Nothing wrong with that, it was an option at the time

Howhardgerrard · Sep 29, 2021

I’m happy with it it seems like a workhorse , great for puttering around town lol

300bhp/ton · Sep 29, 2021

Howhardgerrard said:
just curiosity factor really I like the whole history behind the defender so thought I’d ask

Yeah, but it seems like you don't want to believe the dealer you spoke to?

Howhardgerrard · Sep 29, 2021

300bhp/ton said:
Yeah, but it seems like you don't want to believe the dealer you spoke to?

I had a bad experience with them before with my Vogue long story - Just wanted a second opinion

Hicap phill · Sep 29, 2021

Howhardgerrard said:
Is this clear enough ?

They are pre TDI brackets. Looks like when this was registered it was old stock. The TDI came out on a J Reg that’s why they say it’s the wrong engine

nice motor

Howhardgerrard · Sep 29, 2021

Hicap phill said:
They are pre TDI brackets. Looks like when this was registered it was old stock. The TDI came out on a J Reg that’s why they say it’s the wrong engine

nice motor

very knowledgable mate And thanks , getting a few bits done to her now

Knappster · Sep 30, 2021

Nice Landy! Good solid engine, albeit not the fastest. But enjoy it as it is. Landies with original 4-cylinder Diesel engines are getting rarer.

300bhp/ton · Oct 1, 2021

Hicap phill said:
They are pre TDI brackets. Looks like when this was registered it was old stock. The TDI came out on a J Reg that’s why they say it’s the wrong engine

nice motor

Several engines were available for Defenders though, not just the Tdi. You could also order a V8 and the 2.5P might even have been available early on. I've certainly seen one on a H plate.

Help identifying my defender 90!!

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