driveallknight Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 Looking for sage advice from the defender experts, I bought this 1985 90 2.5 NA last June with zero knowledge of the Defender or LR. Slowly figured out that the machine wasn't in 100% top shape, especially in and around the engine, but nevertheless hindsight is always 20/20. Last week I was driving and heard a pretty horrible knocking sound from the engine and lost all the power while on the highway, slowed down and limped home. Didn't notice anything particular when I checked under the hood and the next day drove to work and didn't hear the noise at first, until after about 3km. Then decided to go to a garage after work, on the way there knocking (see video) was pretty bad and I pulled over for a moment and then the motor just died and couldn't restart. Called the mechanic to pick me up with the tow etc. So now he has taken a look at the motor (see pics) and told me the no1 piston is gone and I'm assuming the bearing shells too. I live in Italy and speak Italian pretty well, but tbh I dont know many of the automotive words so I wasn't able to understand this guy very well over the phone. What I did gather was that its might be 3-4K to fix which seems high for new pistons and new head gasket etc. Here lies the dilemma, is it worth it to: 1.) have it fixed (when I bought it for 6k) 2.)buy a new complete engine 3.) just cut my losses and sell the whole thing. The thing is I love the Defender and absolutely want to keep driving one, if I dig down and spend a bit more on a newer 90s or early 2000s 200 or 300 tdi is it going to last? Keep both for parts etc? Im open to opinions. Grazie, CK https://youtu.be/JQ_Fc7EKqGk (for knocking) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 1st photo -- no bearing shell in that con rod, 2nd photo -- looks as though the locating tab that fits in the recess of con rod has broken off & possible the bearing has moved 4th Photo -- piston ring missing from that piston, but it looks ok otherwise without having a closer look in my hands, line between the 2 orange marks could be a hairline crack 5th photo -- head looks OK, can't see any damage between cylinders & the 4 hot spots are in place, valve heads look undamaged as well. 6th photo -- nice tidy 90. Quote that its might be 3-4K to fix A rebuilt engine from Turner Engineering is about that cost plus VAT & Shipping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 Personally I'd either fix it probably the cheapest option. Or Put a 200tdi in fits straight in but requires finding a good one (there getting old now) and you need radiator, intercooler and a few other bits and pieces (exhaust down pipe if a discovery 200tdi). A 300tdi or td5 can be fitted but require a lot more work. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arjan Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 Def. replace the engine and enjoy ! Vehicle looks tidy and selling it will cost you a lot. Turner makes very good rebuild engines out of the crate to fit. There are also 300 Tdi retro fit kits - but it is more work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve b Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 I suspect the crank pin associated with that rod with the loose big end shell will be worn below the limit for any re-grind . As others have said talk to Turner engines about a re-con exchange unit or possibly an outright purchase , in which case you could consider a Tdi It looks a nice tidy 90 so if you like it , it will be worth the effort cheers Steve b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb78 Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 Its a nice looking truck. I would definitely get it fixed and keep it. Get it running right and you will have lots of years of enjoyment out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
driveallknight Posted February 15, 2020 Author Share Posted February 15, 2020 Thanks for the input gents, Ill have a talk with my mechanic and see what he says about slotting in a Turner engine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve b Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 Keep us posted , I hope you can go for it , it is a nice truck and with a lovely new engine it will a good drive . cheers Steve b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
driveallknight Posted March 10, 2020 Author Share Posted March 10, 2020 Update, got these pics today, should have the machine ready around thursday (barring Covid problems). Makes me smile to see how clean the head etc is. Hopefully I can expect to feel some power (for once) once everything is buttoned up. CK 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L19MUD Posted March 10, 2020 Share Posted March 10, 2020 Love an alpine white 90 😁. Too clean and tidy to sell on, I would fix and enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
driveallknight Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 Thanks! Gorgeous truck! Nice little setup going on here 20 hours ago, L19MUD said: Love an alpine white 90 😁. Too clean and tidy to sell on, I would fix and enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigi_H Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 This must be a quite early Ninety. This circumstance alone is reason enough to keep it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 Bit late now but you could've pulled another 200TDi from an old Discovery. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 I think the 2.5NA and the word power are mutually exclusive 😉😂 Mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
driveallknight Posted March 12, 2020 Author Share Posted March 12, 2020 14 hours ago, Mo Murphy said: I think the 2.5NA and the word power are mutually exclusive 😉😂 Mo Maybe now I can expect to hit 100kph without going downhill haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted March 12, 2020 Share Posted March 12, 2020 Wow, as much as that ! 😉 Mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigi_H Posted March 12, 2020 Share Posted March 12, 2020 1 hour ago, driveallknight said: Maybe now I can expect to hit 100kph without going downhill haha No 😇😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post driveallknight Posted April 12, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 12, 2020 Bit of an update, had the truck back for a few weeks now, everything is tip top! In the end I'm glad to have gotten it fixed instead of trying to double down losses and sell. With all the down time due to quarantines I painted the rims and front headlight shrouds (more out of boredom than anything else) 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianmayco68 Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 Looks a very nice truck 👍. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve b Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 Good to see it's all done and looking very tidy too , a nice truck to keep . cheers Steve b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 Good to see you kept the repairs as easy as possible, nice 90, now a usable vehicle, enjoy it on lots of adventures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arjan Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 Very Nice - good choice keeping it ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
driveallknight Posted April 17, 2020 Author Share Posted April 17, 2020 Anyone got any general tips for breaking in a newly rebuilt motor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkie Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 Don't let it idle for prolonged periods as this causes glazing of the bores. Normal driving with no excessive load where the engine labouring as this can starve the bearing of oil, but give it some welly up hills when the engine is warm. After around 500 miles give it an oil and filter change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkie Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 Glad you got it fixed by the way, definitely the right choice. I'll warn you now, Land Rovers have a good habit of making you think "why am I spending all this money on it". The best Land Rover tip is to never add up what you are spending and you'll be fine 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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