Workshop
Faults & fixes
Describe what your Land Rover is doing, pick your model, and see the likely causes with suggested fixes, how hard each one is and roughly what it costs.
51 faults for the Defender SVX
Clear search- CoolingHigh severity
200Tdi or 300Tdi overheating
Temperature gauge climbs when towing or climbing hills, coolant loss, steam from the engine bay.
90 / 110 / 127 · Defender · 200Tdi, 300Tdi4 fixes - EngineHigh severity
300Tdi timing belt walking off or failing early
Belt noise or rubbing behind the timing cover, belt fraying at the edge, sudden failure leaving the engine dead.
90 / 110 / 127 · Defender · 300Tdi3 fixes - Chassis & bodyHigh severity
Bulkhead footwell and door pillar rot
Holes in footwells, bubbling around door pillars, water leaks into the cabin.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender2 fixes - Gearbox & transferHigh severity
Clutch pedal goes to the floor
Pedal sinks or stays down, clutch drags so gears are hard to select, fluid loss from the reservoir.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender3 fixes - Gearbox & transferHigh severity
Clutch release fork pivot failure on LT77 and R380
Sudden loss of clutch with no hydraulic fault, the clutch pedal still has pressure but nothing happens.
90 / 110 / 127 · Defender · 200Tdi, 300Tdi, Td52 fixes - BrakesHigh severity
Corroded brake pipes (MOT failure)
MOT advisory or failure for corroded brake pipes.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender2 fixes - BrakesHigh severity
Hard brake pedal (servo)
Pedal hard with poor stopping power, hissing when braking.
Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender2 fixes - BrakesHigh severity
Ineffective handbrake contaminated with oil
Handbrake will not hold the vehicle on a slope, oil visible on the transmission drum, MOT failure.
90 / 110 / 127 · Defender2 fixes - EngineHigh severity
Oil wicking up the injector harness into the ECU
Oil found in the injector harness plug at the cylinder head, oil in the ECU connector, misfires, poor running or stalling.
Defender · Td53 fixes - Chassis & bodyHigh severity
Rear crossmember and outrigger rot
Holes or flaking in the rear crossmember and outriggers, MOT failure.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender3 fixes - CoolingHigh severity
Rover V8 overheating and head gasket failure
Overheating, coolant loss, misfire, mayonnaise under the oil cap.
Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender · 3.5 V8, 3.9 V8, 4.0 V83 fixes - SteeringHigh severity
Steering box mounting cracks or excessive steering play
Vague steering with free play at the wheel, a clunk when turning, or visible movement of the steering box on the chassis when the wheel is rocked.
90 / 110 / 127 · Defender3 fixes - CoolingHigh severity
Td5 coolant loss with no visible leak
Coolant level drops steadily, white smoke from the exhaust, pressurised coolant system, overheating on long runs.
Defender · Td53 fixes - Fuel systemHigh severity
Td5 cutting out or not starting (fuel delivery)
Cranks but will not start, cuts out on the move, lack of power, no buzz from the fuel pump with the ignition on.
Defender · Td53 fixes - SteeringHigh severity
Violent steering wobble at speed (death wobble)
Sudden, violent shaking of the steering wheel and front end, usually triggered by a bump at 40 to 55 mph. Only stops when you slow right down.
90 / 110 / 127 · Defender4 fixes - EngineMedium severity
2.2 Puma DPF blocked or regeneration warnings
DPF warning light, loss of power, frequent fan running after switching off.
Defender · 2.2 Puma3 fixes - BrakesMedium severity
ABS warning light on
ABS light stays on, traction control disabled.
Defender · Td5, 2.4 Puma, 2.2 Puma2 fixes - Fuel systemMedium severity
Air in the fuel or failing lift pump
Engine dies after running a while, hard starting after standing, bubbles in the clear fuel line.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender · 2.25 Diesel, 2.5 Diesel, 2.5 Diesel Turbo, 200Tdi, 300Tdi2 fixes - ElectricalMedium severity
Alternator not charging
Battery warning light on, flat battery, dim lights.
90 / 110 / 127 · Defender3 fixes - ElectricalMedium severity
Battery goes flat overnight
Flat battery after standing for a day or two.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender3 fixes
This is general guidance gathered from owner experience and workshop practice, not a substitute for a workshop manual or a qualified mechanic. Costs are rough parts-only guides. Brakes, steering and suspension work affects safety, so if in doubt have it checked professionally.