how common td5 HG/ cracked head

Hi guys, im looking at buying a Disco 2 but just wondering how common the Head gasket failure or cracked head is? seems like quite a few posts here about it but then again forums are usally full of problems, has anyone found out the cause of cracked heads or is it just one of them things that can happen? cheers.

Hi if you’re looking at buying a disco 2 don’t worry to much about the head it’s everything else to worry about which is scary

As bad as that are they! I don't mind doing maintenance such as chassis welding, wheel bearings, fluid changes etc but would like to avoid the bigger stuff such as stripping the engine down to its block to replace a head.

I would say the head cracking thing is actually quite rare and not really a problem at all on unmodified Td5s. I've owned 6 x TD5s and never had any engine issues at all only scheduled maintenance.

EDIT/CORRECTION: Just remembered I've had to do the injector wiring, rocker gaskets, cylinder head screw/core plug and exhaust manifold gaskets but nothing major.

That's reassuring, like I said in my previous post once you start on forums or google td5 head crack theres loads around but probs because people only post with faults, I know of one td5 that had 250,000 miles on without any issues befour being written off. My budget seems to be looking like a older low miles or 03-04 but 150,000 miles + but they say the later 15p engines are better yet others say theres been more issues with them?

rich28uk said:

That's reassuring, like I said in my previous post once you start on forums or google td5 head crack theres loads around but probs because people only post with faults, I know of one td5 that had 250,000 miles on without any issues befour being written off. My budget seems to be looking like a older low miles or 03-04 but 150,000 miles + but they say the later 15p engines are better yet others say theres been more issues with them?

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All td5 engines can suffer with the cracked head not just the older ones as commonly mistaken... I would say that the TD5 is one of the best engines ever to be put in a 4x4 but remember even the youngest is approaching 15 years old now... When you go to view one make sure it starts instantly from cold, i can’t stress the importance of this! Other than that don’t worry about the mileage, mileage means nothing when a td5 is concerned more condition really

My biggest advice for a TD5 is to try and buy one that hasn't been chipped,/remapped or run on veggie /bio as these appear to be the ones most in the problem pages. Also one still on air which is a very simple easily maintained system but many owners shat themselves the first time the suspension goes down (or up) and instantly swap to springs ruining the vehicle without even trying to repair the very simple air suspension. Also big check of the entire chassis front and back with particular attention around the rear suspension.

there is one iv been offered from a mate of mine that's a 04 plate had a few additions like snorkel, big wheels, light bar but looking at it never used off road as theres not a scratch on it, only faded grey wheel trim and chassis is treated and rock solid, but its 180,000 miles so im a bit do I or don't I, interior is good aswell apart from 1 small rip on back seat, also still had ACE and air on rear.

rich28uk said:

there is one iv been offered from a mate of mine that's a 04 plate had a few additions like snorkel, big wheels, light bar but looking at it never used off road as theres not a scratch on it, only faded grey wheel trim and chassis is treated and rock solid, but its 180,000 miles so im a bit do I or don't I, interior is good aswell apart from 1 small rip on back seat, also still had ACE and air on rear.

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I wouldn't worry about the mileage if it has been maintained correctly? Any TD5 with those miles probably isn't going to suffer from a cracked head now, or it may already have been replaced. It is a good idea to renew the injector washers and O-rings at around 100,000 miles, but if there are no leaks into the sump then probably just leave them alone. Also there are plenty of TD5 engines around from all those scrapped Disco 2's that suffered terminal chassis corrosion.