New 110

Well hello, my dad has just bought an ex mod 110 defender station wagon to work on with me. I just wondered what we should do with it mechanically before doing everything else.

Right so its got 96,000 miles on it and is a 1996 300 Tdi, chassis looks in good nick and everything else is just a bit dirty, the corrosion on the doors is not bad either!

I would have said a cambelt change is a good idea, along with the engine oil! What else would you guys suggest ... Diff, transmission and gearbox oil?

Also theres a bit of black smoke on start up, I take it this is just unburnt diesel, could do with some injector cleaner in it ... or maybe a bit of vegetable oil (worked in my 306! ... yes both cars have the bosch pump!)

Any other maintance that you guys would reccomend?

do a search on ere theres shed loads of help/advice/info

I have been, although mainly looking at the soundproofing at the moment. Due to my dad going mad with the rattles and noise on the way back from picking it up. We understand it wont be silent (far from it) but hopefully deaden some of it!

I haven't yet seen anything about the servicing tho

All fluids. Basically change everything wet. And any associated filters. Wipe down all grubby bits underneath to be able to watch for gravity feeds (posh term for drips). Lube all cables. Lubricate door hinges and locks, and check handbrake adjustment. Given the impending seasonal change I'd suggest checking heater operation and adjust as required.

megamonkey said:

I have been, although mainly looking at the soundproofing at the moment. Due to my dad going mad with the rattles and noise on the way back from picking it up. We understand it wont be silent (far from it) but hopefully deaden some of it!

I haven't yet seen anything about the servicing tho

Click to expand...

If it ain't knocking and rattling then it's died

Try looking in busters guide if you need something or for servicing try google and put landyzone on the end

I soundproofed and insulated mine with closed cell foam stuck on - two layers - and carpet on top. Nice and quiet, no condensation either. Did the floor as well and inside the bulkhead - it all helps reduce the noise) dont stick the floor/bulkhead stuff on its a pain - you'll have a wet footwell (its a LandRover) so handy to be able to remove it to dry the floor out.

If you have access to a compressor cleaning up the underside and spraying it with Schutz or similar will make a big difference to road noise.

Thanks for the tips!

wunntenn, whats the best way to secure it then if you don't stick it down? In the very back its easy as the rubber matting slides under the door frame and has the middle seat, seatbelts bolted through then the boxes over the wheel arches can be stuck down with a metal corner strip on it!

Stick it to the ceiling and sides - take the headlining out and sell it and stick it up above the front seats and get extra headroom. On the floor just lay it under the floor mats, and up under the pedals and in the passenger footwell just unscrew any trim thats there and put in behind and refix the trim. Trim sounds 'grand' - its just some compressed cardboard stuff that I've got and I think thats pretty standard. In the back on the floor I just put a sheet of foam down and cut a piece of 1/4 ply to lay over the top.

EDIT: ah just noticed its a station wagon so presumably headlining goes right through - so take out, stick foam to the ceiling and put headlining back in again. Cosy.

Sounds like I'm going to be foaming it up! Just want to make it so we don't have to use a megaphone to talk, I'll accept shouting tho.

Cheers for the tips, the headlining will probably be coming out anyways when I get a chance to install a sound system, thinking 2 6" speaker in the dash and another 2 in the headlining so you'll be able to hear it! Also seems to be the place were people reccomend to install them! (see i have been using the search function! ) Then two 6x9 right in the back. Maybe some 6" for the middle seats too in the headlining? Tho with that many speakers I'll want a seperate amp!

I know defenders aren't meant to be comfortable but my dad is of a certain age where he would like some ... anyone got any suggestions for other things to be done?

I'd recommend new exmoor trim seat foam and covers, so very comfy, cost about £130 and an hour of your time Other than that, just foam everything up like everyone else has said, makes a huge difference. Pay special attention to the seat box, loads of noise comes through there.

Just a heads up on the foam - dont use open cell foam its no use.

You need closed-cell foam - try a 'chemical converters' in the yellow pages - Kay Metzeler is the company I used they have branches throughout the UK. Might be a minimum order quantity so maybe find a friend who needs some too.

Sticking it on is the next thing - if you can get the roof off and turned over that helps, otherwise be prepared for a gluey head. To stick it on you can get spray glue aerosols but I've had limited success with the glue which goes brittle in the summer heat and stuff falls off.

Best results I've had is with EvoStik contact adhesive brushed on. Beware the red can Evo its evilstik and you'll end up dead or with serious brain damage if you spend all day in the back sticking stuff on (mind you, you own a LandRover how much more brain damaged do you need to be?). And the stink lasts for ages so driving it can be unpleasant.

Best bet is the low-voc Evo which is just as sticky but comes in a yellow or white can I forget which but its much pleasanter to use.

Pictures?