 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > A day in the life of Miffy the 110... |
 
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| geobloke Member Since: 06 Nov 2012 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 4410  
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So today didn't exactly go to plan...
As some of you will know Miffy has been having a few coolant related issues of late... Explosive coolant issues. Thread here http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic53216.html Well I have been waiting for Easter break to sort the weeping coolant plug hidden behind the exhaust manifold. Like all good LR DIY'ers everywhere I had already bought all the gaskets and parts I would need. Plus a few extra bits whilst everything was in pieces... EGT sensor and coolant sensor. This was the start  Click image to enlarge Quickly the engine bay emptied, no problems so far Click image to enlarge Old plug out Click image to enlarge New plug in Click image to enlarge The new plug has an adhesive under the flange, this melts and seals the plug as the engine warms up Click image to enlarge So all still going good  next on the list was the EGT sensor
Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Next it was the turn of the airbox, removing the impeller and filling all the holes. FYI mine had the rubber drain valve and a number of random holes which makes it pointless... Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Coolant sensor installed Click image to enlarge Rebuild the exhaust side of the engine and coolant back in... Start her up and begin the bled process all going well then... Click image to enlarge Oh balls...  got to be in the Peaks tomorrow for a seminar... Queue appropriate McGuiver soundtrack and an half and hour later I have...
Click image to enlarge Installed in place of bleed screw... Click image to enlarge Refill with coolant and it took ages to bleed without that bleed screw, but all is good again. Successful test drive and off to the Peaks tomorrow. New hose to order next though... Click image to enlarge |
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14th Apr 2017 8:42pm |
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| geobloke Member Since: 06 Nov 2012 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 4410
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Well today we made it to our dog training seminar and the Peaks as well. The hose repair held up perfectly. Now the decision... Rubber or silicone replacement?? Any advice?
Tomorrow I hope to fabricate the bracket to fit the P&P snorkel properly to the SD roll cage and if I have time the internal ducting to connect the snorkel to the original LR pipework. Kind of excited, been looking forward to getting these done for ages...  |
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15th Apr 2017 6:05pm |
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| geobloke Member Since: 06 Nov 2012 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 4410
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Hi Clayton . Yes when needs must it is good to be able to pull together a bush-like repair from off cuts. The tube is actually from my home made poly bush installer and was originally the exhaust from our old Massey 135... Truely nothing ever dies, just reincarnated... A few years back I did a city of guilds welding course... Worth every penny. The welder I gave though is a POS...
So other things that got done, a proper clean of the Sensors and repaired the filter box sensor which was truely loosey-goosey. Replaced the two self tapers with a couple of stainless bolts. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Rubbed down and painted the turbo heat shield as it was looking scabby and I had to wait for the coolant to drain, VHT paint... Click image to enlarge Hotspot test of the rad, apart from the lower fins rotting away all is working well. New rad at some point in the nearish future. Click image to enlarge |
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16th Apr 2017 10:55am |
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| geobloke Member Since: 06 Nov 2012 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 4410
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Ok so Miffy is on her third exhaust manifold and I will confess to being a tad paranoid about exhaust gas temperatures, especially as she is tuned and works hard as my daily driver, survey battle wagon, doggy dat care kennel, green laner and family tourer.
I tried to get a Madman gauge sensor kit prior to this weekend, but alas it was not to be. Instead I have gone part way by preparing the manifold to take an EGT probe. The observant will notice this is not a standard LR manifold, it is in fact an Allisport item and has been on Miffy for at least six months. It is best to place the EGT in the collector part of the manifold, this is where all the gases from each cylinder mix before heading past the turbo and down the exhaust. In the Allisport manifold this collector region is very small so there was not a lot of choice of where the probe could go, just in the middle... Have to say these manifold are not cheap items so I was understandably quite nervous of drilling it. The advice I got was to centre punch the position, use brand new high quality drill bits, drill a pilot hole then use the correct drill bit for the tap you plan to use. In this case it was an 11/32 drill bit and the tap was a 1/8 NPT. When it comes to tapping the cast manifold, slow and steady and use plenty of cutting oil to lubricate and aid the cut. Worked a treat I am very happy with how it turned out. Next step is either a VDO gauge or a Madman gauge... But which one?! Benefits to both, stock look versus digital multi display.... 
Positioning the gland, probe to right of manifold Click image to enlarge Pilot hole Click image to enlarge 11/32" hole Click image to enlarge Drill swarf, not much due to using an oil. Be aware if doing his yourself on vehicle Click image to enlarge Tapping the manifold Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Adding probe gland Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Completed back on engine with probe in place Click image to enlarge Road test went well, no leaks. Just the gauge end to do. |
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16th Apr 2017 12:27pm |
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| L110CDL Member Since: 31 Oct 2015 Location: Devon Posts: 10782 
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First off i know how nervous it is about making certain holes in or on your landy
Mine were my 2 side lockers i measured 5 times and then cut it out, but still nervous
I think that the normal gauge would be more in keeping  but i like things to be simple
The job list that you are doing is really great and keeping on top of things, as mine is on the road all the time as well 1996 Golf Blue 300Tdi 110 Pick up.
Keeper. Clayton. |
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16th Apr 2017 8:27pm |
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| geobloke Member Since: 06 Nov 2012 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 4410
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Hi Clayton. Have to love and respect a hard working Land Rover. Battle scarred she maybe but she's mine and we have many amazing memories together. Then came the wife and Doglet and those memories just keep on coming
Another day off tomorrow so I am hoping to knock a few more off the list tomorrow including wiring up the VDO temp gauge I bought the other week to the temp sender I installed on Friday. Love a gauge with numbers... |
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16th Apr 2017 9:17pm |
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| L110CDL Member Since: 31 Oct 2015 Location: Devon Posts: 10782
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Totally agree with you there about the hard working landy
Alas my landy came after the wife but before the dog, so not to bad
Hope you have a good day on the list tomorrow My list is still the same as im working over the bank holiday weekend 1996 Golf Blue 300Tdi 110 Pick up.
Keeper. Clayton. |
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16th Apr 2017 9:59pm |
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| geobloke Member Since: 06 Nov 2012 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 4410
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Right then today's jobs took slightly longer than I expected, but I did finish one job I have been wanting to do for at least two years.
I have always loved the NAS rear step and hitch but have never forked out for one because I already have a 2" receiver hitch from Safari Equip which is a great bit of kit. So toyed around with making my own then stumbled across these NAS style steps with no hitch and come I two parts, designed to slip behind a standard drop hitch I assume. Best of all I got them on sale £30 delivered and that's where this mod remained for the better part of six months as house and work left me with very little spare time. Until this morning that is whilst walking Pi the pup out on Whixall moss when my wife said "I do wish you'd get a step for the back of Miffy!"
Queue the "fish hook in the eye brow look"... A cunning plan for the rest of the day emerges and off I go to the back yard for a number of hours 
The starting point for today's modification Click image to enlarge The left hand step Click image to enlarge Hitch loosened up and thank goodness there was enough play to slot the steps behind the main plate. I did think I might have to break out the grinder, adapt the steps and weld them to the hitches back plate. Phew! Click image to enlarge I took the time to re-waxoyl the rear cross member. Gave up paint years ago, the last coat of wax ol has lasted five years so very happy. The cross member is now beautifully black once more
The only thing that I had to adjust was e right hand step which fouled against the nut of the Safari Equip wheel carriers bottom mount. So I did have to break out the grinder after all
And to the finished article... Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge And one from the front just because... Click image to enlarge I am really pleased with how this has turned out, looks great, is functional and best of all sanctioned by "the wife" |
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17th Apr 2017 6:51pm |
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| geobloke Member Since: 06 Nov 2012 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 4410
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Ha just noticed the drivers side mud flap is quite wonky... It's being held on in true farmer style by a cable tie, where the heck did the rivets go?!
 and more importantly who cable tied it... 
Going to have to have a conversation with the garage I used last month. Appreciate the fix but why not use rivets or tell me... How odd... |
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17th Apr 2017 7:03pm |
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| geobloke Member Since: 06 Nov 2012 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 4410
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Also today between heavy rain showers I tried Plan-A to connec the snorkel to the pipework inside the engine bay... Kind of went ok but not entirely happy. A lack of pipe led me to try creating a boxed manifold but my welder is a POS and the plate was just too thin for a decent weld. Think I will have to try again tomorrow.
Plan-B... Sleep on it... Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge |
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17th Apr 2017 7:10pm |
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| geobloke Member Since: 06 Nov 2012 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 4410
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So, good day today. Revamped the front suspension on the ol'Gal.
I replaced the rear springs and shocks six months ago or so, swapping out RKB101111 dual rated LR springs (and Koni adjustable shocks) for a pair of Oldman emu 2754 500lb springs. The theory being that the SD cage is quite heavy and causing the LR springs to sag quite a lot. Well the 2754s were way to HD so swapped them out for the lighter pair of OME2755 (300lb) and these work beautifully with the cage and a light load of dog cage and recovery gear. The OME2755 springs are twinned with OME60039 shocks. Great feel and ride. That left the front setup as Koni adjustable shocks and NRC9488 and NRC9489 LR HD springs. Apart from the sagging over time, the feel from the front (compared to the rear) was vague and generally uninspiring. Today this has been changed to OME2767 springs and OME60037 shocks. I also replaced the bottom spring plate as this was rusty and fitted a set of Disco 2 front spring isolators (RBC100111) to level up the front a tad more. The difference is superb. The vehicle feels planted, responsive, crisp and like the front and rear are not fighting each other anymore. Very happy Defender owner
Before shot. Very nose down. Click image to enlarge New OME springs next to LR HD item. Same free height just higher rating. NB: OME2767 are handed and labelled A and B. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Shocks. Difference between LR Koni and OME Click image to enlarge First side fitted. Passenger side is always the hardest to get the springs in. Took the time to clean up and waxoyl whilst under there. NB: four years worth of wear on the Britpart drilled and grooved discs and they are pretty much as good as a standard disc. All the grooves and holes are filled in. Click image to enlarge And the finished product, much better... Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge |
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18th Apr 2017 8:58pm |
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| ppad Member Since: 16 Nov 2012 Location: now, UK S Coast Posts: 223 
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Great post Geobloke thanks
with pics, shows what can be done with a bit of confidence. Inspiring for us fainhearted to get the spannners out these sunny days .... Sold the much modified 110 2.8, in Oz
Brought the 90 home from Switzerland ... |
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20th Apr 2017 9:03pm |
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| geobloke Member Since: 06 Nov 2012 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 4410
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Hi ppad. Thanks for the compliment. i began DIY maintaining my old 200tdi after a now very good friend took me aside and gave me the "you can do this" talk, all you need is a good socket set, a screwdriver and you'll save loads on garage bills. He was right. Like all things in life the first time is nerve racking but I do a huge amount of research and above all use the right tools for the right job. Well almost always. Have of course broken out the unnecessarily large hammer more than once and almost every time regretted it...
desperation gets to us all. Plus there are many incredible folks on forums who are always there to help and give advice. Found this to be the best resource. Manuals although accurate can be a little too black and white...
Enough of that. The important thing is that I got nowt done on Miffy today, but have instead painted the bedroom and stud walled the spare room cupboard ready for carpets next month. Getting there and of course Miffy was there to lug the timber, plaster board, plants and compost... |
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21st Apr 2017 7:23pm |
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| MalteseRover Member Since: 02 Jul 2013 Location: Gozo Posts: 137 
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Wow, fantastic write up.
I am currently happy with how the TD5 is doing and the guage is always sitting in middle between the blue and red part. i am going to fit an electric oil pressure guage soon. I was wondering about the coolant temperature gauge. i did install one in such a way on my little kubota b7001. I have a question, can i simply install the guage sensor in metal tube where the bleed valve sits? making only one cut in the hose? and use the sensor as a bleed screw? hence minimising the number of cuts/clips in the system? The sensor in a 2.25 diesel is positioned in the far back of engine is it possible to insert something back there on a td5? piston 5 should be running the hottest since it is not benefiting from cooling air flow? thanks Joseph Said Malta |
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4th Jul 2017 4:44pm |
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