Peaklander

Hi, here's a few pics of our just completed road-trip of a little over six weeks, in our 110 300 TDI with Alucab roof. We used the ferry from Plymouth to / from Santander which is 20-22 hours and a great way to travel. The ferry's all-in weight is about 40,000 T so it's a reasonably big beast. Most of the time was on tarmac but we did do some tracks and found some good hide-away spots for 'away-from-it-all nights'. We are self contained with a small toilet and a 20 litre waste container that is used for black water if the toilet gets full, or grey water if it is needed. We have a compressor fridge and a 100W solar panel. In all it was about 3,400 miles and achieved 29.5 miles per gallon (imperial). Weight is 2,560Kg according to a weigh-bridge somewhere in Spain. We had just three niggles. First was the leak-off pipe at #1 which split at the injector and made quite a mess considering. Second was an o-ring on the steering pump to steering box pipe, pump end. This was more of a problem as I had already replaced the O-ring before we left. It started to leak again on the way to Plymouth but on day 1 in Spain it poured out. I had a spare but due to the mess I called in at a village garage and they swapped it (I provided the ATF). This leaked immediately and they eventually used a seal off an old BMW pipe but I didn't see it. It is still leaking a very tiny amount but not enough to top up. Third is that after some very bumpy off-roading in the Sierra Nevada I have now got a 55 - 65 mph wobble. This didn't cause much trouble as I was rarely at those speeds but it was a pain coming up the M5 etc once back in the UK. On the last morning I got the front wheels balanced but it didn't help. Something has got loose but I haven't got underneath yet to investigate. I can thoroughly recommend the Spanish mainland for stupendous mountains, gorges, canyons, drop-offs, lakes, rivers and empty roads. This was our third tour there and the best yet. Our route was anti-clockwise from Santander.

When it comes to the plain costs of filling the tank, the better fuel economy of diesel v petrol will probably win now. That probably trumps any other consideration.

Glad to see that ear defenders are being worn 😱

Managed to stop working, that’s why. Before that it was two weeks max. Made a plan / target about halfway through my working life and managed to stick to it. I have been self employed for a lot of that time and that has helped and hindered, as it can be very hard to turn work down. Hope you are doing ok @Stellaghost

We’ve just spent the last six weeks road and track tripping around Spain. (Currently between Bilbao and San Sebastián). I don’t know of local suppliers but there seem to be a huge number of Santanas and LR Defenders on the road so I don’t think you will have any problem finding supplier recommendations.

What are the injector seal failures? I mean what’s the material and if it’s copper why do they fail? I don’t know anything about the Puma engine but a daughter has a Ford Tourneo Custom and that has the same or a v similar engine. (I think).

If you think it’s a real possibility that it’s stolen, then there must be a way to find out. Is there any database of stolen vehicles based on the reg plate? Other than the obvious one of course.

I used their parts for my 88” and I riveted the joints and used a sealant too. It was a nice straightforward job.

I’m afraid I had to move on but I know where they are if anyone wants to follow-up. Where we have been, the workers who are currently strimming the bush, woodlands, verges etc all drive 110 SW with very handy roof boxes to hold all the kit.

Yes it’s complete as far as I could see and a quick glance underneath as it looked ok, got me wondering. Then I was dragged back down to earth. The TD5 with orange doors has a shot chassis, at least the rear is. The white TD5 dash clocks have been removed. It’s amazing how many you see parked up. They aren’t all Santanas after all.

Slowed and then stopped outside a village in southern Spain today for a closer look at a Defender visible from the road. Then I found three more including ‘one of ours’! Two TD5s, a 300TDi I think and the 1991 90 direct from Withams. They appear to have been there some time. It is a salvage or insurance yard I think.

My Dometic CFX35 ‘Coolfridge’ pictured earlier in the thread, is working hard. It’s very hot here in Andalucia, >30C for a few days but it is performing well. It’s the best camping accessory / upgrade we have ever bought, transforming warm weather camping. Edit: it’s been in for five or six years. Wired to the Aux battery and solar panel controller, through a distribution fuse box and on a flying lead with cig lighter connector (with 20A fuse) that seems to be high quality.

I agree. I’ve done that. The so called correct part number screws are not. Somehow I managed with my salvaged old ones. Not sure if needed any new ones once I had chucked the first correct part new ones away. If your carrier pigeon arrives and they fit, please confirm that size for the masses. Just a point though, I think the ones along the top door rail need to be shorter otherwise they might poke thru but that is perhaps your reference to 3/8”.

There are two slots in different positions around the flywheel. The one you need, to position #1 at TDC, is the narrow slot as @westernsaid. You can rotate the crank with a ratchet on the bolt and at the same some look into the hole with a torch and you can watch the ring gear move and see the two slots.

The 300TDi got a modified bracket I believe, to correct an inherent injection pump alignment and the consequent front cover distortion. Is there a chance that something has moved in your pump position during the engine removal?

Sorry you have had trouble on a trip but glad you have got a replacement and swapped the alternator. Have you found the source of the oil?

My first car was a Hillman Minx from 1965. I bought it in 1977. It was a bit of an old crate even then. The most noteable good feature was left foot operated switch for main beam. The most significant fault was a rusty fuel tank that failed me, in the dark, in a contra-flow, on the A1, somewhere between Durham and Doncaster.

Glad it’s sorted. Now it’s time to tell us where you are as I can’t see your location 😃☀️🏝🏖🌊

Hi. Here’s a screengrab of a late 300TDi diagram. It shows that there’s no connector between the glow plug relay and #4 cylinder plug. It is a straight through cable. You can also see that the return to battery negative is through the engine block and so need to ensure that there is a connection from there to chassis and onto the battery negative. Edit: I have now read that you have already seen this. Oh well I’ll leave it here anyway.

You guys seem to have big fridges. This is our 35litre ‘live’. Ok I should squeeze another couple of beers in there but it’s fairly spacious and takes up some space in our 110. Next to the 2 x 2 litre of milk is a big pack of chicken, a large red pepper and other salad stuff.

Hi Ian. Good to see you back!

The CO police will be after you though 🤣

Wow. I like that.