Hebdo

I loved my 300 tdi auto. Tweak the fuel pump and turbo a tad and they are fine. As long as they have the diesel auto gearbox in them. As with any secondhand car buy, try and turn up a little early. Start from cold. Drive it a reasonable distance. Personally when test driving an auto I drive it a bit harshly, checking kick down as well as manually changing from 1 to d revving it out a bit and selecting the next gear. Auto box when warm or cold check for.T Thunk, clunk, slipping, ( not technical terms but you own a landrover so will know what I'm talking about) gear selection. Does it change smoothly, not jerking into gear or sort of slipping in and then biting? Gently come on and off throttle to show up any lash in drivetrain. Most old autos are a little sluggish from cold as very few people change the oil and filter.

Search for these on ebay. 14 PIECE 3/8TH PROFESSIONAL OIL FILTER REMOVAL PULLER ADAPTER TOOL KIT SET Sorry I couldn't do a link. They are basically giant sockets. I'm not endorsing the ebay ones they don't look great but will work well for occasional use. I normally buy vehicle/filter size specific quality ones that cost as much each as the set on ebay. Put the correct size on the filter and add extensions, or not, to turn. Easy. Just like giant sockets. No slack no fiddly winders to tighten, no rubber belt to loop over. Just pop your ratchet in. All the ones with handles do not work in a confined space. The webbing strap ones are actually really good if you've got enough room ( and three hands )to wind them tight enough to grip.

We,re going, with two vehicles. Anyone else?

I can still view it in modified builds special projects. A mod must have originally approved it. As if you've less than five posts they are approved before going up. I thought it was a bit advert ish. But no direct references that I noticed. It is interesting though. I didn't know the Teflon swivels were carp for heavy use until I read it. I then searched on here about them. It helped me out as I now now not to buy them.

I haven't noticed this post before. I'm going to have a read through. The pre bent 90 degree tube. The tube notches and the welding. I was wetting myself. I then noticed the post with scaffold tube and connectors. I'm still laughing. Cheers.

I've just had a look at a 300tdi I've got out the back it's in a disco though so may be different. The water exits the head into a cast ally elbow. On the bottom of the one here is what looks like a temp controlled fan switch bung. If I had your problem I'd remove it as it's on the outer bend fill it with water stick a kitchen seive under it and start it allowing water to pour out and hopefully catch it in the seive you could omit the seive bit but it would be nice to know you've got it. On the one here the top rad hose is directly Above the bottom hose so it could drop straight into the bottom hose and up to the pump so I'd magnet that to.

Theoretically it should get trapped in the rad. I'm not 100% sure on the circulation on these engines though. The only other way I can think of catching it are magnets powerful on top hose into rad have to be quite powerful and a pain to keep taking hose off to check hose. Just fill with water to try it as you'll obviously lose coolant every time you remove the hose. If you find it don't forget to top up with antifreeze. Problems with it I can think of are. Hot spot in engine don't know how badly this would effect a tdi and depends if piece blocks a water passage way or allows flow. Damages/ jams water pump. I can't remember whether the pump on these is timing belt driven or not. It's not I just searched. If it jams pump worst way belt will slip and pump and housing may be damaged. But at least you'll know where it is and can replace pump and remove it. That's the best I can do I'm afraid. I do feel for you, I've dropped enough carp in engines over time Hope it sorts itself out.

If there's fuel getting to the injectors. Almost definitely not solenoid. It's possible it's only partially opening though. As has been stated before I'd double/triple check timing.

I've an idea with random things I have lying about. Don't laugh, it's my first post I normally just glean information. Two tyre ( Schrader ) valves one plastic container size of your choice with a lid big enough to get your hand in. Drill hole in lid just undersized for valve, pull fit into hole. Drill another hole in the side of the container as close to the base as possible. Remove core from valve and insert into lower hole. Push on length of plastic pipe maybe bond it on. Add fluid of your choice and use any commpressor ( gently ) or foot pump. Fuel containers work well. You can get valves from any tyre place for a couple of pounds. I take no responsibility for the mess made if you over pressurise the container though.