TD5 Cylinder Head

I purchased a TD5 2 months ago, cheap, but it needs a new head, not being an expert on TD5's
the question I would like to ask is this.
How long would it take a decent mech to swap a head, and what would be a reasonable cost of
doing so?

A lot depends on what is actually being done. The last one I did for someone we charged for 9 hours labour and his bill inc. parts was about £1100+VAT. BUT that included a lot of other things like a new radiator, one of our dewebbed manifolds and uprated stud kits, and a lot of cleaning.

If you are just getting the head gasket done and not having the head checked/skimmed etc then probably 4 hours or so. With a new gasket, head bolts etc probably around £400-£600 wouldn't be unreasonable.

Thanks tom1979.
I guess I should have quantified my original question. I have been discussing the problem
with my local garage who is very familiar with all Land Rovers, owns a very nice Defender
and does work on my son's TD5 and my daughter's and son-in-law's Freelanders.
He knows of my problem and he is the one who replaced the seals on the injectors which we
thought could have been the problem. Fuel oil filling the sump up, it didn't work so we agreed that I
should buy a new head.
I bought a recon head from a dealer and the mech agreed to fit it for me. he told me to bring it into
the garage on the 1st August, but then said he didn't have the time so he told me to bring it back the
on the Thursday, then he told me to bring it back the following Monday, then he told me to bring it back
the next Wednesday. On Thursday he told me that the gasket set he ordered was missing a gasket and
has told me to take it in next Monday. I don't think he wants to do it.
The reason for my question is I was wondering how difficult the work is. I think you have answered my
question, I would of thought that it would of been a piece of p * * * for him to do it.
Thanks again.

tom1979 just read your post on Injector Testing and that is the problem with my TD5 a cracked
fuel gallery.

Bubblehead07 said:

Thanks tom1979.
I guess I should have quantified my original question. I have been discussing the problem
with my local garage who is very familiar with all Land Rovers, owns a very nice Defender
and does work on my son's TD5 and my daughter's and son-in-law's Freelanders.
He knows of my problem and he is the one who replaced the seals on the injectors which we
thought could have been the problem. Fuel oil filling the sump up, it didn't work so we agreed that I
should buy a new head.
I bought a recon head from a dealer and the mech agreed to fit it for me. he told me to bring it into
the garage on the 1st August, but then said he didn't have the time so he told me to bring it back the
on the Thursday, then he told me to bring it back the following Monday, then he told me to bring it back
the next Wednesday. On Thursday he told me that the gasket set he ordered was missing a gasket and
has told me to take it in next Monday. I don't think he wants to do it.
The reason for my question is I was wondering how difficult the work is. I think you have answered my
question, I would of thought that it would of been a piece of p * * * for him to do it.
Thanks again.

Click to expand...

It's not difficult work, just time consuming. When you say gasket kit, there are not many that come with all the little gaskets and the main ones that do are the Britpart kits. Whatever is used make sure the head gasket itself is either Victor Reinz or Elring branded - they are generally less than £30 but the ones in the "kits" are not branded, nor are the injector seals. New head bolts are also essential. That is if he ever actually does it

I am taking the disco back to him on Monday (I have had enough of him), if he says bring
it back in a few days I am going elsewhere.
I bought the head and he has bought all the new bits that are required, I hope he has got
the new head bolts, I WILL check.
Appreciate your comments.

Just got to say that we don't have a garage all the work on cars is done in the street,
years ago I stripped down and built back again motor bike engines, I have renewed
the head gaskets on the old Ford v six, I have swapped Transit gear boxes on my own
in the street.
I am just too old now to do jobs like this in the street and it frustrates me so much.

Update on my head, no not that one the one on my car.
I went over on Monday morning and he was there waiting and he just held his hand out for
the keys, I said I hadn't brought it over and he said "I will get it when I am ready", great I thought
going to finally get my car going.
Then, Tuesday morning it was still there, and again this morning so I went over and he said he
hasn't got time to do it. What a bummer. Totally gob smacked.
So looking for a mech who could do it for me, I have asked one and he is going to call me back.
Just in case he can't do it any members in my area who knows some one?

Hi Ladies & Gentlemen,

To date I have tried almost every garage and mechanic in Liverpool and nobody wants the job
of swapping a head on a TD5, all (but one) have give me some amazing cock & bull stories, some
could compete with Harry Potter for imagination.
I say almost all because one mech actually said he just did not want to do it, he did say he could
put me in touch with someone who could supply a used engine and that he would fit it for 3/4 of
what he normally charges because of the heartache I have had from other garages. What a guy,
I am going to him in future for any work I need doing.
However, a neighbour of my son-in-law who is a mech has agreed to swap my head for me on
Sunday, we will wait and see. keep you all abreast of my experience.

Bubblehead07 said:

Hi Ladies & Gentlemen,

To date I have tried almost every garage and mechanic in Liverpool and nobody wants the job
of swapping a head on a TD5, all (but one) have give me some amazing cock & bull stories, some
could compete with Harry Potter for imagination.
I say almost all because one mech actually said he just did not want to do it, he did say he could
put me in touch with someone who could supply a used engine and that he would fit it for 3/4 of
what he normally charges because of the heartache I have had from other garages. What a guy,
I am going to him in future for any work I need doing.
However, a neighbour of my son-in-law who is a mech has agreed to swap my head for me on
Sunday, we will wait and see. keep you all abreast of my experience.

Click to expand...

So did you eventually get it done? Strange nobody wanted to do it, it's not exactly hard.

Hi tom1979,
Eventually, it is being done at this time, the mech said I should get
it back this w/e, can't wait.
If you know this thread, you will know that I acquired the vehicle in
June this year and haven't been able to use it for long journeys, so
over the moon that I may be able to this w/e.
I must say that the mech is a fulltime garage supervisor, and doing
it even though he didn't want to. So very happy.

Most garages will avoid old land rovers like the plague!

The old rule was, if you did not want the job price it so high that if you did get it you could farm it out and actually make some money on the job!

Mechanics are thin on the ground, so maybe any slightly risky job gets shunned.

lynall,
I understand, makes sense. That's why I am pleased with this mech, he is
a neighbour of my daughter, I think that is the reason he took it on, very
grateful otherwise I would have had to sell at a huge loss.
Renews my appreciation of mechanics.

Forgot to add, also the appreciation of the experienced mechs on this forum.

Any update on this, is your Defender back on the road yet?

lynall said:

Most garages will avoid old land rovers like the plague!

The old rule was, if you did not want the job price it so high that if you did get it you could farm it out and actually make some money on the job!

Mechanics are thin on the ground, so maybe any slightly risky job gets shunned.

Click to expand...

What tends to actually happen is people will take their Land Rovers to garages for jobs they either don't want to do at home or jobs they have started at home and f****d up. However a cylinder head of a Td5 is pretty straightforward although time consuming if done properly.

tom1979 said:

What tends to actually happen is people will take their Land Rovers to garages for jobs they either don't want to do at home or jobs they have started at home and f****d up. However a cylinder head of a Td5 is pretty straightforward although time consuming if done properly.

Click to expand...

I always find the problem with old vehicles is, once you take one thing off you cannot help but notice other issues/work needed.

Also once a garage has done a big job like a cylinder head they're more likely to get hassle from "since you did this job" comebacks

Fortunately there's a Land Rover specialist garage near me and they'll take on anything.

Ladies & Gentlemen,

Whoopy!!! Got my TD5 back last w/e, ran it all week and completed approx100 miles, the lube oil
has not risen in the sump
Can't believe it, it's smooth running, plenty of poke and so good on fuel, what a pleasure driving a
decent Landy.
Thanks for all the help, advice and support, appreciate it.

Bubblehead07 said:

Ladies & Gentlemen,

Whoopy!!! Got my TD5 back last w/e, ran it all week and completed approx100 miles, the lube oil
has not risen in the sump
Can't believe it, it's smooth running, plenty of poke and so good on fuel, what a pleasure driving a
decent Landy.
Thanks for all the help, advice and support, appreciate it.

Click to expand...

Glad you are sorted! Did you test for cracks on the injector sockets on the old head?