Mean Green

My 200tdi 90 has terminal chassis rust. It is too far gone to save and a new chassis is the way forward. I have owned it for 20+ years and it pains me to do it but I just don't have the time (or money) (or inclination) to start a full rebuild. I can see it sitting on the drive or in the garage for years to come, deteriorating further and taking up space. So I fear it is time for it to go. But how can I determine its value - I know it is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it, but I don't want to give it away and want to get a fair price for it. But where to start - values seem to be all over the place! It is a late '93 so it has factory disk brakes with the 200tdi. It was originally an HT but converted to SW not long after I got it. It is mechanically good, recent new transfer box, heated front screen, heated seats, 2002 style dash fitted. The bulkhead and all 3 doors were replaced about 8/9 years ago - although there is a little rust just bubbling through. Any steer on value would be greatly appreciated.

Simon Was the engine swap fairly straight forward? Any tips or advice? I am doing to swap the engine in mine. I originally thought about just doing the head but the donor engine has a more known history so probably easiest. I am trying to find any how-to or step by step guide online, just to help along the way so that i hopefully don't miss anything.

As an update - Plugged it into Hawkeye and it came up with a couple of faults - but not anything that seem relevant.3001 - Fuel Temp Low3014 - Air Flow Low Fault3015 - Manifold Pressure Low3016 - Inlet Air Temp Low3079 - Temp Gauge Open Load3129 - Road Speed Missing3143 - Turbo has been overboostingDoes anyone know of a plain english 'idiots guide' to fault codes .. ie if X try Y etc?I replaced the fuel pump yesterday - no real change. Still knocking and still smoking. It may be my imagination but the knock does not seem quite as bad. It started and ran and ticked over as in the video. I moved it off of the drive and into the garage and even at crawling pace it felt down on power and needed a quite big revs to move without stalling.Now that it is inside I am going to have a look at injector loom etc. All other suggestions gratefully received.

Cheers Simon, I have PM'd you.

yes it does smell of Diesel and it was mis-firing. i am not sure if it is using water - I bought it with the engine fault as I have a spare td5 which I was going to drop into it, but it might just be easier to try to fix this one first.

I have a 1999 TD5 which has a very load knock and plumes of white smoke, both at idle and under load. No power when trying to drive and a great impersonation of a steam train both sound and smoke. A search on the 'net found this video on Youtube which sounds exactly the same. Unfortunately there are no answers given as to what it actually was. Any ideas or suggestions. Now it will not start - although the battery is dying so that wont help - even with a squirt of easy start. It gives half a turn then stops.

I received an email yesterday from Paddocks with a special offer on slimline jump pack. https://www.paddockspares.com/xs-powerpack-multi-function-jump-starter.html Does anyone have any experience of them? My project 90 is in the garage with a dead battery - it always starts with a jump and I would like to be able to start it to move it when the need arises - but I don't want to put a new battery in it until it gets its rebuild. Would something like that have the power to start a dead 90 every few months?

Hi Simon No they didn't get back to me. But the plan has changed. It was supposed to be a Quick fix to get it back on the road and I could use it until such time as I could do a rebuild on the Defender. But is going to need more time than I can afford at the mo- would rather spend time and cash on the 90. So I think I am just going to sell it on - did have someone interested but they have gone quiet. Really is a shame as it is in really good condition and runs sweet as a nut.

Cheers Simon ... That was my thoughts! It was Highland Galvanisers in Cumbernauld. In fairness it was only an email and I have not spoken to anyone about it. All they said was it was strip the existing paint and galvanise. Hopefully Scottish Galvanisers will get back to me soon and be a bit more realistic.

Ouch!!! Just got quote back... £895 + VAT!! Just doesn't make it viable at that level!

What would expect to pay to have a D2 chassis galv'd? How are the jobs usually priced is it by weight? I am doing to give the local galv'r a call but would like to at least have some idea what I was talking about before I do.

Might be worth speaking to Andy about both the P38A pump and airbags. He may offer these too.

If you are heading to Scotland, then no doubt you will be on the ferry to Cairnryan and head north from there. In that case you can probably pick up a repair kit from bagpipeandy .... http://www.bagpipingandy.com/installation.html without deviating from your route!

I spoke to Pete Bell about it at the Scottish Show and he claimed around extra 30hp - well he would, wouldn't he!! although to be fair I don't think Pete has ever been known to make false statements about his products! A mate has one fitted and although I have not driven his 90, the reports I have heard is that he is delighted with it and it has improved the driving experience - not sure on specific areas - Low end, motorway etc, but generally better. I would certainly consider one if ££ allowed.

It is a shame it ended the way it did. I do feel sorry for Jason and all the hassle that he has had, but seemingly disappearing (intentionally or unintentionally) with peoples money and little or no explanation was a bit off. Just glad it is all sorted, everyone has their money back and the forum has something towards the running costs. Just a shame we have lost a forum member in the process. But it serves as a lesson to anyone who is thinking about trying to do a group buy (not that it is allowed on this board any more) that it is a much bigger commitment than it first seems, especially if it involved dealing with China.

My 200 is doing the same. The light glows dimly, but goes off when I switch the lights on or put on any load.

Yes N4S... I have played that game before. I think my record is 2 defenders and 2 discos on the drive. Cut back the fleet to 1 LR. If I didn't have a company car too I would probably have a Disco as my everyday driver. So I need something more usable.

I have had my Defender 90 for almost 16 years and it has always been my baby. However over the last 5 or 6 years I have been using it less and less due to commitments with my other (real) babies! The rules on sideways facing seats has often dictated when I could use the Land Rover and 90% of the time there were kids to drop off or pick up at some point in the journey and it was just easier to take the car instead. Thinking practically the 90 has not really been fit for my purpose for a number of years and it should really have been replaced by a 110 or Disco. The Defender is a 1993 200tdi. It is in OK condition with the doors & bulkhead having been replaced about 8 years ago, although they are starting to show a little bubbling again. The chassis is generally in good condition, it has had a couple of patches over the years and needs another on the rear X-member for its MOT this year, but is otherwise solid. It drives well and has recently had its LT77 fully refurb'd and the LT230 swap to a Discovery example. Its biggest let down is the rear tub which has a fair bit of bubbling (just cosmetic but enough to annoy me). So the question is - what are Defender values like for original vs refurb'd. Would it be worth my while sourcing a rear tub, possibly a galv chassis and doing a good quality refurb on it then sell it. Or sell it as it stands without the outlay and time? I have almost convinced myself that it is time for it to go and get something that I can use more often.

I am even closer than Retro.... 10 mins max! I have not long moved house and things are a bit mad, but happy to swing by when I can get some time. Even just talking about your plan is often enough to get motivation going. (Cant really help much with the V8.... those Petrol malarkies are a black art to me ) Stick me a PM.

I have no issues with progress and much as I love my Defender it really should have been updated years ago, to keep up with technology ... but then again thats probably why most of us like them!! .... Anyways, back to the Disco 5. My biggest gripe is that they all look the same. I have been a Land Rover owner for more that 16 years and a fan even longer and I still struggle to tell the new RR from a Sport and a Disco Sport from an Evoque. I much preferred it when Defender, Freelanders, Discos, Sports and RRs were all instantly recognised. Just need to wait and see what the finished vehicle is like.

A mate of mine has just ditched his LED's for that very reason. Gone back to halogens.

Thanks for the comments. Western. .. is it a straight fit or do you need to make brackets etc?

Is a 100 Amp alternator from a Discovery a straight swap for the standard unit in a 200tdi 90? (i know I would need to change the pulley but otherwise... straight fit?)

Indeed I have.... Thank you for the inputs and spirited discussions.... I have decided to stick with my trusty 200tdi and spend some of the money that I would budget for the new one to tidy it up. My budget means that I could only really afford a basic SW rather than an XS, so as far a comforts go I would actually be in a worse position - my 200 has heated screen, heated seats, td5 dash etc. So I would just end up wanting to spend money that I wouldnt have bringing it back to spec. So i can throw some of the budget at it to tidy it up and stil have cash for other things.

N4S... hmm yes, I realised my error posting in Defender2 with the intentional or unintentional bias MIght get a more balanced arguement on here