LR TD5 Engine - Dilemma on whether to go for one

Got a nice-looking Defender I've set my eye on but the only hitch is it's TD5 and not a 200 or 300. Pluses and minuses?

I've heard they are a nightmare to work on as you need funky and complex handheld computers and all that jazz.

But if they as reliable as they say you shouldn't need to mess with that right?

Ask Gramps or Ratty. they likes their TDeeee5's ultra reliable and never break......snigger

Sirus said:

Ask Gramps or Ratty. they likes their TDeeee5's ultra reliable and never break......snigger

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"Sirus wonders why his 110 wont start"

snigger

Luddites. Nowt wrong with mine.
I lurve the power and driveability.

lots of breathing in through teeth on this thread i feel

1 day TD5s will become the 200s of yesterday, there is no denying that.

G

Im happy enough with mine so far. What year is the one you are looking at? They ironed out a lot of the engine problems after 2002 or so Ive been told, mine is a 99. Ive had it three years and I had to replace the head gasket last Christmass but thats it really in three years of ownership,so best of luck with it hope it a good one

As I've said before, weigh up how many 'TD5 problem' threads there are with a rough guess of how many TD5 owners are out there happily driving around with them. Yes, there's more 'new' bits to go wrong but alot less than some engines, infact, in comparison with most new engines they're relatively low tech.

slim jim said:

Im happy enough with mine so far. What year is the one you are looking at? They ironed out a lot of the engine problems after 2002 or so Ive been told, mine is a 99. Ive had it three years and I had to replace the head gasket last Christmass but thats it really in three years of ownership,so best of luck with it hope it a good one

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It's a 2001.

BuzzLand said:

It's a 2001.

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Bargin hard, buy with your head not you heart. Make sure to give it a good test drive and get underneath it too. I done ok no reason why you cant.

Make sure to check there are no signs of diesel in the sump oil.
Look for elevated sump oil level.
If so you're looking at £2k + labour to sort it.
Probably best to walk away unless you can get the price way down.
Check the ECU connectors for oil.
If its there it will cause running problems but can be sorted with a new injector wiring harness for about £50.
Other than that look for the usual stuff on all Land Rovers.
Corrosion, make sure all gears (high and low range) work with no strange noises.
Check for play in the transmission and steering (prop UJs, diffs, ball joints, etc.)

Very happy with my TD5 2002 with 48k on the clock. They have more power and torque than 200 / 300 tdi models and if serviced properly seem reliable. There are a couple of engine sensors that can play up but they are relatively cheap. Check the engine oil level exactly as Shifty says, and the only other thing I'd add is that the ECU is under the driver's seat

Good luck!

My Td5's been brilliant

Lots of power, nice and smooth, and quiet(ish)

All servicing can be done DIYable, you only need a pooter for fault codes and things, but I've had two Teedee 5's in a little over two years, and never had to hook them up to a pooter.

Don't listen to all the tdi die hards, they just dont like change

Yes the tdi is simpler, but the td5 has proved to be extremely reliable.