Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Im looking at buying a 1998 defender td5 im worried about how good the engine is? any help would be great thanks.

Well for starters a 98 Defender will not be a TD5, they came in in 1999. A 98 Defender will have the 300Tdi 4 cylinder, 2.5l diesel (no electronics). Like most engines they are a good reliable engine if they have been looked after. Also like many turboed engines they are a little low on power until the turbo comes online but then are great.

If you are looking at a 99 Defender with the 2.5 Litre 5 cylinder TD5 engine - they are also a very good engine and have full electronics - as such they respond well to chipping and can increase power and torque a fair bit. As standard they also have good power and torque.

Both engines are extremely economical.

Garry

thanks for that much appreciated, How do they go off road? Can you pretty much take it any where?

Yes you could take it pretty much anywhere.

If engine is a 300Tdi, they need to have the timing belt changed at recommended intervals. Other faults that can arise are oil leaking from the vacuum pump and the fuel lift pump can fail. Head gaskets can fail on high km vehicles.

They can have cylinder head problems if seriously overheated, usually as a result of water loss - the black plastic expansion tank can fail at the seam (white tanks are more reliable). I strongly recommended fitting a low water alarm. Also replace the plastic plugs in thermostat housing and radiator with brass plugs. Have radiator rodded out if planning a long trip.

Main issues with TD5 engine are oil migrating through wiring loom for the injectors (easily changed) and some engines were assembled without thread locker on the bolt fixing a sprocket to the oil pump.

TD5 is the better engine with high performance potential, principally from chipping, but also boost pressure adjustment and larger intercooler. VNT turbo is the next stage for large numbers.