200 or 300?

[V8MoneyPit]

Hi all

Being ignorant is such things, can anyone confirm whether this Disco engine is 200tdi or 300tdi?

[Disco Matt]

Reasonably sure that's a 200 TDI - it has no EGR, the airbox is the 200TDI type, and I can't see the self tensioner for the drive belt that the 300 TDI has.

[V8MoneyPit]

Thanks Matt, I thought it was, but it's in a '93/'94 Disco which I believe is quite late for a 200?

[Saffy]

No serpentine belt set up, dip stick wrong place are a couple clues that its not a 300tdi (turbo position. thermostat housing, front timing case might be others)  It's got a 300tdi noise damper/rubber rocker cover and 300tdi yellow oil filler cap though...

300tdi...


200tdi

[Disco Matt]

I *think* the first 300TDIs turned up in 1994, so what you might have here is one of the last of the 200TDIs.

[SteveGoodz]

Thanks Matt, I thought it was, but it's in a '93/'94 Disco which I believe is quite late for a 200?

From memory I think the engine changed towards the end of 1994 when the Discovery got it's first face lift - the Romulus project.

[trecfive]

300TDI were available from April 1994

[Disco Matt]

I always wonder if the 300 TDI is the Disco they'd have liked to make in the first place, but couldn't afford to tool up for. The made to measure headlights are a huge improvement in both appearance and performance terms over the Sherpa van parts on the original!

Weirdly the Maestro van tail lights and Marina doorhandles (the only good parts from those vehicles!) don't jar. I think it's the big black plastic moulding around the 200 headlights that I don't like.

[white disco]

def a 200tdi engine 94 was change ove but dont get may 94 300tdi same as 97 was 300tdi to td5 so can get a s reg 300 or td5

not shore i would agree that a 300 is better than 200 yer looks but not engine 200 are boom proff

white disco

[V8MoneyPit]

It was a light crash damaged Disco on eBay that finished last night. Looked like it was a pretty straight car apart from from LH corner. Didn't win it! It went for

[Disco Matt]

not shore i would agree that a 300 is better than 200 yer looks but not engine 200 are boom proff

white disco

I've always wondered about that one. What is it about the 200 TDI that makes it stronger (assuming the 300 TDI is a mechanical injection pump one without the timing belt problem, which didn't affect all of them and in any case could be fixed with a kit)?

I'd be quite happy overlanding with a well serviced example of either engine, although I'd probably want to fit a timing gear kit to make sure it couldn't snap the belt in the middle of nowhere.

[Saffy]

not shore i would agree that a 300 is better than 200 yer looks but not engine 200 are boom proff

white disco

I've always wondered about that one. What is it about the 200 TDI that makes it stronger (assuming the 300 TDI is a mechanical injection pump one without the timing belt problem, which didn't affect all of them and in any case could be fixed with a kit)?

I'd be quite happy overlanding with a well serviced example of either engine, although I'd probably want to fit a timing gear kit to make sure it couldn't snap the belt in the middle of nowhere.

I prefer the 300tdi but to add to your wee list of known problems there is the P gasket coolant leak which if ignored can lead to dead engine. As for gears replacement ... rather have the belt myself as there is no reason why it should fail in middle of now where if changed before an mission critical expedition as zeus can gears fail quite spectacular in less mileage life than a normal belt.

[Disco Matt]

Where is the P gasket? I just keep an eye on the coolant in the header tank and panic if it drops for no apparent reason!  :lol:

True, plus a bush mechanic would know what to do when confronted with a standard engine. The gears would probably confuse the living daylights out of them as well as being almost impossible to replace locally...

[Saffy]

Where is the P gasket? I just keep an eye on the coolant in the header tank and panic if it drops for no apparent reason!  :lol:

True, plus a bush mechanic would know what to do when confronted with a standard engine. The gears would probably confuse the living daylights out of them as well as being almost impossible to replace locally...

its p shaped gasket on the front , gives this tell tale stain...


Les has done a good article here http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=7547

not had the problem myself but keep an eye out for it.

I have fitted a coolant level sensor cap from a rangie and an alarm system though on the defender as mrs cooked original engine and don't want to ever loose the expensive replacement :D

[bilge rat]

Thanks Matt, I thought it was, but it's in a '93/'94 Disco which I believe is quite late for a 200?

 i had a 94 200 disco was on an L plate one of the last , alan

[Range Rover Blues]

Why does the P gasket lead to a dead engine? is it in conjunction with a lack of basic maintenance?