1-Rover diesels under ire
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PROBLEMS WITH LAND ROVER DIESELS • I have read with interest your recent articles on diesel Land Rover and wide-bodied Sherpa diesel vans, with respect to oil problems and subsequent engine wear.
From our experiences I would think the problem could be more far reaching than Freight Rover suggest, or are prepared to admit.
Our first wide-bodied Sherpa was reputed to be from the first batch built in late 1983/ early 1984. This vehicle had to have a new engine fitted almost immediately after delivery. Apart from the timing belt breaking, in less than the manufacturers' recommended time, the engine is still running satisfactorily.
The second van, bought in late 1984, suffered the same broken timing belt, again within the life span expected by the manufacturers and, although regularly serviced, on time rather than mileage intervals due to the relatively low mileage, had to have a replacement engine at 65,800km as the engine was beginning to seize and creating crank case back pressure, although it had never been run short of oil.
Following these purchases, five 350D chassis cabs were bought over the next two years, two of which have had replacement engines at around 80,500Iun, and a third has had a total of three engines (two in the first year warranty period) to date. Each of these engines has either seized or was on the point of seizing. All five of the chassis cabs have had the timing belts break in less than the expected belt life.
R J Peters,
Solaglas, Eastbourne.