Thanks for the advice. Going to try all these suggestions (leaving the smoke screw til last, that is). Re valve clearances, no I haven't checked but will do when I get a chance. Would be great to get this sorted cos I can't fault the highway performance but it's a bit of a pig to drive around...

Hello, I'm one of the dwindling breed of defender owners inside the accursed LEZ. I have a 1994 300tdi 90 CSW (qualifies cos it's not a commercial) and a 1984 truck cab 90 (qualifies cos it's petrol)... They're not generally both in London at the same time - whichever one I'm not using is...

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll try those. In the meantime is there any possibility the turbo isn't licking in as early as it ought to, and could this be a symptom of a worn one? I don't have a boost guage or tachometer fitted so I'm not sure what revs it comes in at, but I'm guessing about 2k...

Hi everyone, first post here, was wondering if people could offer some advice about my 300tdi Defender 90. The engine has been totally reliable since I bought it about a year ago, and performs well at high revs - it'll sit at 70 all day on the motorway with forays to 75 for overtaking, and I've...