TD5 metal head dowels

I know that they made a revision to the TD5 engine, and one of those was changing to metal locating dowels. I believe this was in the 2000 model year on both Defender and Discovery engines.

But, if I were to buy a W reg 2000 model year, how would I know whether it has plastic or metal dowels?

Simple answer is you wont. Only sure way is to take the head off and have a look. Of course if you're going to do that you'll need a new head gasket, head bolts, and some steel locating dowels just in case your are plastic. Sod's law says they'll be steel if you have a look and plastic if you dont.

What most peeps do is leave well alone until a problem develops. In the case of the nylon locating dowels it normally manifests itself with a leaking head gasket. So long as its sorted quickly and the engine is not allowed to over heat its not a big problem.

I'd be cheeky and try and knock some money off the price of the motor unless the owner can show proof that it has steel dowels fitted. But dont hold your breath if everything is running OK with no sign of leakage between the head and block.

Cheers Shifty.

Was hoping there would be a specific date of manufacture they stopped using plastic dowels, and I could tell by the build date in the log book.

Seen a TD5 kinda local with a nat over 100k miles, looks like it's been loved and is up for a good price, but it's a W reg, and as much as I love the TD5s, I'm still sceptical.

it wasnt 2000 i think it was 2002 almost when the disco was facelifted.


Lynall

As far as i know that's one of the differences between 10P and 15P engines

Update... the dowel "upgrade" came after VIN 1A736339.

Some of the very early 15p engines were fitted with nylon dowels.

sierrafery said:

Update... the dowel "upgrade" came after VIN 1A736339.

Click to expand...

Excellent.

I can put the reg in at work and get a VIN

Cheers.

Shifty1962 said:

Some of the very early 15p engines were fitted with nylon dowels.

Click to expand...

What changes were there besides the dowels?

Some differences that I know of between 10p and 15p engines:

Catalytic convertor.
Reworked cylinder head.
Camshaft injector lobes changed profile.
Higher pressure injectors.
Modified fuel pressure regulator.
External fuel spill pipe.
EGR cooler.
Twin EGR valves.
Modified fuel cooler.
Modified radiator.
Pressed metal water pump impellor.

I'm sure there are others but these I know about from first hand experience.

all sounds good except the twin egr valves!

think thats a tdv6

Nope. Later EU3 spec TD5s have twin egr valves fitted to the single inlet manifold. One opens up so that lots of black sticky ****e from the exhaust can pass through the engine (just like the EU2 spec TD5s) and the other acts a bit like a choke and throttles the air from the intercooler so that even more black sticky ****e can pass through your engine.

Apparently reducing the oxygen content that enters the cylinder reduces various emmisions but I'd rather have better combustion (more oxygen) and a clean inlet tract which removing the EGR allows.

We have mostly post 2002 model TD5 defenders and all that we have opened have had plastic dowels..is the steel ones realy that mutch better or is it closely the same?

Plastic/nylon dowels allow the head to move sideways on the block as they get soft when hot. This leads to head gasket failure and in extreme cases the valves can contact the edge of the cylinder liner which is expensive. Steel dowels allow absolutely no lateral movement between the head and the block. If you have a new plastic dowel to take measurements from anyone with basic metal turning skills can turn some up. Having said that they're not exactly dear to buy ready made.

Bit of a thread revivial here chaps...
I've been searching regards the metal head dowels.
As a few will know I've got to do my HG but have been collecting bits and am currently waiting on the weather as I'm doing it all outside.
Anyway, my head fitting kit (OEM landrover) turned up yesterday.
Opened it up and the blimming head dowels are PLASTIC!

well annoyed, (ebay special!)
The part number on the packs is LCL100021
Can anyone advise me what the new PN is for metal locating dowels please? anyone know where I can get some sameday in Sheffield area? (monday!)
If not I will try and find my local dealers! cheers

Managed to find the part number from microcat

It is a Land Rover PN YLL500040