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Chatuge



Member Since: 09 Dec 2014
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 49

United Kingdom 
Is the 2.4 worth avoiding?
So I'm looking for a puma defender but have read a lot of posts and other articles to suggest the 2.4 overheats uphill when towing. Is this just the minority scaring the majority or is there truth in it?
Post #568185 2nd Oct 2016 10:40am
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K9F



Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
No doubt the information came from forums which are full of positivity of course! Rolling with laughter Rolling with laughter

In a nutshell.....NO!

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic463.html?highlight=loving+2+4

NoWorries 4x4 is another advocator of both the 2.2 and 2.4. He tows all the time just about.

http://www.defender2.net/forum/post568158.html#568158 If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!


Last edited by K9F on 2nd Oct 2016 11:07am. Edited 2 times in total
Post #568189 2nd Oct 2016 10:55am
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Chatuge



Member Since: 09 Dec 2014
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 49

United Kingdom 
Thanks Smile

So its just a couple of people with bad ones that are making out that they all overheat!?
Post #568193 2nd Oct 2016 11:01am
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K9F



Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
Your supposition is as good as mine. Not very good.

This forum is littered with failed clutches, gearboxes, transfer boxes and just about every running gear component you can think of. Does that mean they all do it? Personally I think not!

The general consensus is that as long as the one you are going to buy wasn't built on a Friday you're probably/possibly/could be on to a winner? Don't quote me on that though please.

Rolling with laughter If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!
Post #568202 2nd Oct 2016 11:11am
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Chatuge



Member Since: 09 Dec 2014
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 49

United Kingdom 
Goya! Read a lot of forum buyer guides that even say "don't buy one with a towbar!" - thats a bit odd too! I kinda get why but ultimately they should be man enough for this!
Post #568203 2nd Oct 2016 11:13am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17316

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
The 2.4 Puma is probably the best Defender of all. It has some weaknesses, true, but all Defenders do.
Post #568213 2nd Oct 2016 11:42am
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ericvv



Member Since: 02 Jun 2011
Location: Near the Jet d'Eau
Posts: 5816

Switzerland 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
My 8 year old 2.4 with more than 80K KM on the clock has covered long distances in high summer heat, including in the mountains, but admittedly, never towing. Never any sign of overheating.
The Aussie Land Rover forum - aulro.com - should be your best guide for issues like what you are afraid of. If you speak of a continent with very high summer temps and where there are quite a bit of Pumas towing all kind of trailers, it is that one.
I have regularly been reading that forum for much longer than I even know def2.net, and cannot remember that I have read too many posts talking about 2.4s overheating when towing uphill.
Eric You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation.
http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o
https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I
https://vimeo.com/201482507
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw
Post #568216 2nd Oct 2016 11:57am
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smb



Member Since: 15 Jan 2013
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 1232

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
This is probably the best forum to get the most accurate information. You will hear from first hand experience rather "I know someone, who knows someone whose 2.4 overheated, etc, etc...." What they won't necessarily tell you is that they didn't have a vehicle that's been serviced/maintained properly with quality parts/oils/coolant, etc..

Personally, I have had problems with mine overheating when towing the best part of 3500kg up a hill in low ratio or similar weight up a long uphill motorway at 50/60. However, when I got rid of the Noise Killer Lead Engine Blanket all was ok. I haven't helped myself as I have 240 Spots right in front of the grill, an ARB bar with hidden winch which alters the airflow around the front and underside plus I have clad the underside of the bonnet in Dynamat.

I have also now de-cat the exhaust and wrapped the manifold and upper exhaust in heat wrap to reduce the overall heat in the engine bay. Plus fitted a spacer between the engine and fan so the fan sits 'in' the cowling instead of behind.

Total result: No Over Heating.

For reference, I've now done 145,000miles of mainly motorway and it doesn't, overheat, no oil loss, excellent compression and drives as good now as it did after the warranty ran out(I would have said since new, but LR and the dealers made such a hash of putting it together and servicing it I couldn't wait until the warranty had run out.

Obviously, like with any car(unless it's a Mazda or a skoda!!) you can or will have any sort of problems. A goof friend with a £120k Range Rover that has spent more time in the garage than on the road, a £90k Porsche that cut out as soon as you left the lights, etc.. I could tell you of many more..

All in all, the 2.4 is a bl..day good Defender although I wouldn't mind a new one, but with a TD5 Engine or a 3.2Puma..
.
Post #568222 2nd Oct 2016 1:40pm
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Cupboard



Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 2971

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 HT Corris Grey
jst and a blocked radiator: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic41703.html?highlight=residual

If I was buying any engine the 2.4 is the one I'd go for, which is why I did.

Don't be afraid of relatively high mileage ones, one with lots of motorway miles is preferable to one that's just been pootled around with lots of short journeys.
Post #568228 2nd Oct 2016 2:54pm
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Fatboy Slim



Member Since: 04 Feb 2008
Location: Bridgend
Posts: 1006

Wales 
Re: Is the 2.4 worth avoiding?
Chatuge wrote:
So I'm looking for a puma defender but have read a lot of posts and other articles to suggest the 2.4 overheats uphill when towing. Is this just the minority scaring the majority or is there truth in it?


Depends what sort of a vehicle you're after. If you just want something to drive around in and tow occasionally then the 2.4 should be fine.

If you want something to use as a work vehicle, do site work or tow heavily I'd go Td5. Better engine. Stronger drive train.
Post #568244 2nd Oct 2016 5:01pm
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defender9



Member Since: 12 Mar 2016
Location: Fylde Coast
Posts: 1629

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
Had my Puma 2.4 for almost 8 years with only a brake master cylinder that needed replacing. If they had still been making them when I bought my 2015 90SW I would have bought one without a second thought.
Post #568250 2nd Oct 2016 5:13pm
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mick



Member Since: 08 Feb 2010
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 2109

England 2010 Defender 130 Puma 2.4 HCPU Rimini Red
Mine is fine works hard on a daily basis
Post #568256 2nd Oct 2016 5:49pm
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Happyoldgit



Member Since: 14 Sep 2007
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 3471

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Corris Grey
Chatuge wrote:
Goya! Read a lot of forum buyer guides that even say "don't buy one with a towbar!" - thats a bit odd too! I kinda get why but ultimately they should be man enough for this!


You'll find it hard to find one that has never had a towbar fitted. Steve.
Owned numerous Land Rover vehicles of all shapes and sizes over the decades.
Current Defender: A non tarts hand-bagged Puma 110 XS USW.

[Insert something impressive here such as extensive list of previous Land Rovers or examples of your prestigeous and expensive items, trinkets, houses, bikes, vehicles etc]

http://forums.lr4x4.com

I used to be Miserable ...but now I'm ecstatic.
Post #568265 2nd Oct 2016 6:14pm
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doublea



Member Since: 12 Jul 2011
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 495

Scotland 2016 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 Adventure Phoenix Orange
Unlike the 2.4, the later model 2.2 has the disadvantage of DPF and the cleaning cycle - exhaust gets very hot and this is bound to affect exhaust lifespan.

Watch out for the earlier 2.4 station wagons and the window tax - vehicle exise duty (£500) rather than LGV rate (£230). Current Steeds:
2015 110 UW in Grasmere Green
2003 BMW F650 the Hack
2000 Elise
1992 Ducati 888 (no longer in bits, yahoo)
1990 TDR 250 (in bits again)
1988 TDR 250 (no longer in bits) and for sale
Post #568295 2nd Oct 2016 7:03pm
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K9F



Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
Re: Is the 2.4 worth avoiding?
Chatuge wrote:
Goya! Read a lot of forum buyer guides that even say "don't buy one with a towbar!"


Chatuge wrote:
Hi there. I'm looking for a standard 90 SW (either county or XS) 2007-2010.


Just like to point out you won't get an XS without a tow bar. If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!
Post #568296 2nd Oct 2016 7:10pm
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