TD5 in the Desert

[Ian Dennis]

Does anyone have any experience of taking a 110 Td5 across the Sahara. How reliable is this engine etc. I would would be interested in your experience.

[roamingyak]

A few people have - have a look at www.africa-overland.net as there are various trips listed there.

[diesel jim]

I drive a Td5 110 (in the UK) and also have 1 1/2 300Tdi 90's (i'm rebuilding one!), and my old 110 was 300Tdi.

initially i much preferred the Tdi's over the Td5. although i still do, i have learned a little about the Td5, and it's not really /that/ bad. although it has the electronic ECU (which you can get extension looms for to mount it up in the roof space away from water)

There are several sensors on the engine itself that can cause the it to go into "limp home" mode, with reduced power. and you'll need an electronic box of tricks to reset it. (although these are now available to the public for about £100 UKP)

If i was going to go deep into the sahara, i think i would go for a 300Tdi, as they're a bit more user friendly, but if you carried say, a spare ECU and some of the sensors/wiring you may be able to cobble together enough to get it running again......


hmm.... go for a 300! :-)

[Ian Dennis]

Thanks for your reply. I agree my vehicle of choice would be a 200Tdi, however I may have to choose the more modern vehicle (I use it for work and play) as funds are tight.

Ian

[grove]

Hello
I´m planning to take a td5 Defender to Mauritania this winter (I know, it´s not across Sahara). I have purchased the Rovacom Lite and try to learn to use it. I have droven it 2½ year with no problems. I have collected a list of possible problems with the engine and will take this in consideration. In the end, it do not seem to be more troublesome than others engines.
Regards
Grove

[Erik D.]

FWIW, we drove our 2002 Defender 110 TD5 from the North Cape of Norway, and down to Cape Agulas in RSA for a year, without a single engine problem. A few years have now gone by, and it's still going strong here at home, and still no engine problems have occured.

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