Simon Smith

When mine failed I fitted Puma 110 SW springs, can't say I've noticed the ride is any harder than before, but it sits a little higher unladen.

It's not always the case that the motor doesn't turn until the pinion is extended. Many solenoids earth via the motor windings so that the motor spins at reduced speed and power enabling the teeth to align before full power is applied. I had the same fault on my previous defender due to a sticking solenoid.

I've had two clutches do that on my 110. Seems to be the most common failure.

My 200Tdi 110 is 30 years old, and has been my very reliable daily driver for over 20 of those years, It has gone wrong of course, but only once let me down to the point I had to abandon it at work and get a lift home. I only had the Tdci when mine was in for accident repairs, and was pleased to give the keys back afterwards. They do need regular TLC to be reliable.

I improved my heater 100% by replacing the perished rubber bulkhead seal and the 30 year old fan motor with a new standard one.

I had a 2.4tdci loan car for a while, I found the ride comfort and handling to be the same as my 1992 200tdi, didn't like the bulky dashboard as it takes too much space. As for the engine, while on paper it's more powerful, I actually didn't like the way it delivers that power and prefer the Tdi or TD5. You need to drive both, but personally I would have a Tdi or TD5 over a tdci.

In the garden machinery service industry we find genuine Briggs and Stratton fuel hose lasts many years with E5 fuel and they claim the same for E10. It's 1/4" bore and can be ordered from any garden machinery shop. Part number 395051R for 25ft.

I'm probably too late for my reply. But my 200tdi doesn't have a lifting eye attached by the head bolts. Mine is bolted to the back.

No condensation problems with the Britpart ones either.

I have the Britpart ones, can't remember the price but they are excellent and I would recommend them to anyone. Dip beam has an excellent cutoff and nobody ever feels the need to flash me, but I can still see clearly.

I've done the rocker cover seals. You can see oil seeping out of the cylinder head joint with the engine running, and I think it started to "chuff" quietly today too.

Probably depends a lot on what engine and many other variables. Up to 200tdi the engine is behind the front axle line, and with 80L of diesel in the tank it's probably not far off 50-50 weight distribution. A Td5 with an empty fuel tank however is probably quite front heavy.

Fairly certain that's what we used. Came from Turner, they're just down the road.

Two years ago I replaced the head gasket and the bolts, the head had a light skim and all was well for a while. A few months later and it developed a slight oil leak at the front of the head, now the leak is getting worse and I think I need to do the job again. I seem to remember a discussion about the different quality of various gaskets and that some were prone to leaking in this area. Which gasket is considered the best available by everyone? I really don't want to keep having to do this.

V8 sender doesn't have a pickup pipe. Diesel sender has a pickup pipe.

I welded a big washer onto mine. First time I checked the oil about 20 years ago I realised I could have wound it right through by hand.

I've had led indicators for years and never had one fail. I had to replace the rear ones because they faded so much they gave a white light but the replacements haven't faded at all.

To be honest, it's taken so long that I forgot it existed until this thread popped up. No I won't be buying one, now it's got a new chassis I'm hoping my old 110 will see me out.

Yes, I fitted an adjustable flasher unit, you twiddle the knob until the trailer light flashes without a trailer, then back it off until it goes out. Now works perfectly.

What sealant do you use? We install Linseal in the workshop, and find it very successful. Most customers who buy a bottle and find it doesn't work simply haven't used enough of it. Obviously it can't fix cuts, sidewall damage or leaking beads, but works every time with thorns. It won't work in tubes either.

I have the Britpart ones and they are excellent, much better beam pattern than some more expensive ones I've seen. One failed due to a component coming loose with vibration, but was a simple repair. I would recommend them to anyone.

Is anybody else thinking "I want one" now? I had a Supervan 3 before passing my car test, and despite it falling over and trying to kill me, I still have a soft spot for Reliants.

I sometimes get to service chainsaws where the customer has used old engine oil as chain oil. I almost always expect to have to change the oil pump, so I dread to think what it would do to an injection pump.

Gumtree 4x4 in Ditchling do a lot of chassis changes 01444 241457

Mainshaft splines? That's what my last defender sounded like when they started slipping.