When that happened to me with my 300tdi I was baffled at first why the clearance on two of the valves was .9mm instead of about .2mm. It then turned out the tops had fallen off two valve stem caps, leaving a little ring behind around the top of the valve. Valve stem caps also fall off...

It can happen with an auto box. If your transfer box has a suffix 'F' it was made with the cross-drilled gear, though if it is an earlier box the gear may have been changed.

And a new lock washer is a good idea. Here's a little tip - when you have removed one outer race cut a slot in it with an angle grinder. You can then use it to put on the new race and hammer it in. As it has a slot it won't get stuck in the hub.

we dont have the health and safety corps here :D

Air helpers are advertised at 80 squid in LRM from paddocks. The air pump is a lot more but you don't need it.

sounds like the spider problem. you can take it out and resolder the connections. I have not done it so maybe someone else can give you instructions on how to fix it.

How did he manage to get all that crud and rust inside the injector pump? All the ones I have 'done' have been squeaky clean. Another trick is to connect the wastegate to the inlet after the intercooler instead of at the turbo. Then the wastegate will open according to engine input pressure...

It can't be the turbo shaft as those do not rattle. When worn the compressor can hit the housing but that is more of a scream than a rattle. My 300tdi also makes a bit of a rattly sound when I first start it up, but it is quite high mileage so I ignore it while saving up for a rebuild. What...

What you don't want to waxoyl.... is the cat Waxoyling the cat

Ok, you need a good engine oil with a spec of CG minimum (although the book says CD which is low by today's standards). Or better, a CH, or if you are feeling rich, a CI spec. A good example is Shell Rimula Super X. For the transfer box, front and rear diffs and swivels any old EP90 GL5 will...

What engine - the spec for the TD5 is higher than that for the Tdi.

I think the air helpers are made by Firestone among others. You don't need a compressor, you can pump them up at your local filling station. They use a normal Schraeder valve as on a tyre. On a Defender we fit the valves in the rear cross-member. Of course, you can go mad with on-board pumps...

It happens to the manuals and the automatics. Disco II autos are very slow on pulloff unless remapped. Easy enough. Don't tow big stuff like horseboxes with the auto unless you are feeling rich because the gearboxes fail quite quickly if stressed.

You need a male and female push-on coupling as used on the TD5, some fuel line, a decent gauge that will measure at least 80 psi (4 bar = 60 psi). Just fit it all together with hose clamps. It is better if you can get completely transparent hose because then you can look for air bubbles in...

Yes, get rid of the Boge strut. You will need either upgraded coils as the self-levelled ones are very weak, but I would suggest fitting air helper springs instead. Then you can pump them up depending on the load you have.

Sounds like the exhaust/inlet gasket, the tweety bird sounds that is. Also, if the inlet leaks you get oil down the turbo side of the engine. Easy to change, turbo can stay on, just pull the whole shebang away from the engine, replace gasket and refit the bolts.

main stealers like things that they can look at on the pooter. unfortunately to measure the fuel pump pressure you have to act like a real mechanic and fit a guage into the line. This is not difficult. you should have 4 bar at the engine or 60 psi - a bit less is OK

yes. do it

Basically the problem is that you shouldn't tow anything heavier than a toy trailer with a DII auto. The box is basically not strong enough. I reckon very soon you will lose all drive. Have seen this too many times. One of the problems is (of course) the LR salesmen who will assure you that...

Throw the air suspension bags, sensors, pump etc away and fit decent coil springs. You will have to use a pooter to tell the ecu that it doesn't have air springs otherwise it gets electronically upset and has a tantrum.