TD5 Reliability

[Boggert]

Hi,

I am going to be moving to Czech and will have to sell my Zuk, I'm thinking of getting a 2002-2003 TD5 Disco

But you hear so many stories of problems with them, are they reliable is the main question?

What to look for...?

[extreme90]

the pump drive gear bolt jobby thing was afink cured by then as was the oil in the loom  :?
i cant knock the td5 2BH i used to hate them but i simply love them now, yes they have a few little teathing problems, but so do the 200tdis and 300tdis, and well, the freelander.....i wont go there  :roll:  :lol:
dan

[thermidorthelobster]

Mine had a new loom a couple of years ago, and now it's going back to have another one.  So I'm not sure if that problem was ever cured.  But it's not terminal, it won't damage your engine, just make it run a bit lumpy.

Head gasket failures aren't unheard of;  and the old oil-pump problem, which you should be able to get Land Rover to pay for if your engine seizes solid.

I get the impression that TD5s are not going to soldier on forever as 200tdis tend to.

[Tyke]

TD5s are not going to soldier on forever as 200tdis tend to

Earlier 300's are standing the test of time as well I reckon.

Anything off-road controlled by a 'brain' that needs plugging into a laptop is suspect in my view . . . . especially if it gets used as it was designed to be . . . . . too much technology is not always a good thing . . . . I like to be able fix things with hammers, spanners and screwdrivers  :lol:

[extreme90]

TD5s are not going to soldier on forever as 200tdis tend to

Earlier 300's are standing the test of time as well I reckon.

Anything off-road controlled by a 'brain' that needs plugging into a laptop is suspect in my view . . . . especially if it gets used as it was designed to be . . . . . too much technology is not always a good thing . . . . I like to be able fix things with hammers, spanners and screwdrivers  :lol:

underneath all the plastic and electrics lies a normal internal combustion engine that still needs fixing with spanners and hammers   , just the way you go about it is different  
and all sensors ect are sealed units  
only the brain that needs moving  
dan

[Tyke]

only the brain that needs moving

LOL - too old and stuck in my ways to give in to that fella . . . . . my problem is when it conks out up some lonesome trail in the dark, in the middle of winter, and you aint got a laptop with you . . . . how do you diagnose the problem, or for that matter, let alone fix the [!Expletive Deleted!] ?


Or are they that reliable that we don't have to worry about such things happening  :lol:

[extreme90]

wel, for 1 am a 200tdi person through and through
how do you fix your 200/300 when up a dark lane ???
use your inishiative  
a td5 will always go into limp home mode with a leccy failue or similar
i compete and thus work on the KISS rule, but, i dont see why you should be scared of a few wires and a a little metal lunch box
 :?
dan

[Tyke]

i dont see why you should be scared of a few wires and a a little metal lunch box

Not scared at all mate . . . . just wish I had the knowledge and resources to sort em out meself when they break down . . . . I'd be quids in then  :lol:

[Boggert]

You see, thats what worries me... do the break down oftern??

[mike142sl]

This has been discussed a few times. I asked the same question a few months ago when I started looking of a TD5.

The opinion then, which is matched by plenty of other sites is that the later models, under Ford, ironed out the problems of the earlier versions. Then they are prone to as many breakdowns as any other vehicle. With so many electrickery bits there is of course more too go wrong but the reality is it is a vehicle and there isn't one of those on the road that doesn't break down in some way shape or form. The impression I got from my questioning and research was, they don't break down any more than any other vehicle.

Picked mine up this week (2004 Landmark) and having a lot of fun, especially now it's snowing. Doesn't have cruise control fitted but I gather that for about £40 you just need the switches and a bit of care fitting them - found some 'instructions' on this site under the workshop link.

[Boggert]

Thanks Mike,

I guess you are right, do you know what year ford took over....?

I guess I'm being picky... :lol:

[mike142sl]

ot exactly but I think they took over at about the same time the face lift model came out - that was probably Ford making their mark.

[suggs]

i had a late 2001 model for a year, never had a problem with it. only sold it to buy a V8

[DIE BOK]

If you want a reliable 4x4 go for a jap make, if you want a thoroughbred buy a landy (all thoroughbreeds have their faults)

[DIE BOK]

If you want a reliable 4x4 go for a jap make, if you want a thoroughbred buy a landy (all thoroughbreeds have their faults)

mine has never not got me home :(biglove):