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.
65 faults
- EngineMedium severity
2.5 Diesel Turbo (19J) smoking and low power
Blue or black smoke, low compression, oil consumption, knocking under load.
90 / 110 / 127 · 2.5 Diesel Turbo3 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 - Axles & drivelineMedium severity
Clunk on take-up from worn drive flange splines
A clunk when pulling away or changing between drive and overrun. Excessive rotational play at the wheel hub drive flange.
90 / 110 / 127 · Defender2 fixes - Axles & drivelineMedium severity
Differential whine or clunk
Whining from the axle that changes between drive and overrun, clunk when turning, or metallic noise.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender3 fixes - ElectricalMedium severity
Dynamo not charging (ignition light stays on)
Red ignition warning light stays on, battery goes flat.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III3 fixes - ElectricalMedium severity
Misfire or no start on points ignition
Engine misfires, struggles to start or cuts out, especially in damp weather.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · 2.25 Petrol, 2.6 Petrol, 3.5 V83 fixes - Gearbox & transferMedium severity
Notchy changes or jumping out of gear on LT77 and R380
Second gear crunches when cold, fifth or reverse jumps out, rattles at idle in neutral.
90 / 110 / 127 · Defender · 200Tdi, 300Tdi, Td53 fixes - EngineMedium severity
Oil leaking from the bellhousing (rear main seal)
Oil dripping from the bottom of the bellhousing, clutch slip if oil reaches the friction plate.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender2 fixes - Axles & drivelineMedium severity
Oil leaking from the front swivel housings
Oily film or drips on the chrome swivel balls and inside of the front wheels, low oil level in the swivel housing, possible oil on brake shoes or discs.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender4 fixes - SteeringMedium severity
Power steering whine, leaks or heavy steering
Whining from the engine bay that rises with engine revs, wet power steering box or hoses, steering heavy on full lock.
90 / 110 / 127 · Defender3 fixes - EngineMedium severity
Puma engine limp mode or EGR faults
Engine management light, loss of power, rough idle.
Defender · 2.4 Puma, 2.2 Puma3 fixes - EngineMedium severity
Puma injector seal leak (chuffing)
Puffing or chuffing noise from the engine, black carbon build-up around an injector, smell of exhaust in the cabin.
Defender · 2.4 Puma, 2.2 Puma2 fixes - Gearbox & transferMedium severity
Rear transfer box output flange spline wear
Clunk from under the vehicle on take-up, rotational play in the rear prop shaft at the transfer box output.
90 / 110 / 127 · Defender · 300Tdi, Td52 fixes - EngineMedium severity
Rover V8 tappet noise and worn camshaft
Ticking from the top of the engine, loss of power, rough idle.
Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender · 3.5 V8, 3.9 V8, 4.0 V82 fixes - SuspensionMedium severity
Sagging or broken coil springs
Vehicle leans, sits low at one corner, or a clunk is heard over bumps. A broken coil end may be visible at the spring seat.
90 / 110 / 127 · Defender3 fixes - SuspensionMedium severity
Sagging or broken leaf springs
Vehicle sits low or leans to one side, bump stops hit easily, harsh knocking over bumps, a cracked leaf visible on inspection.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III3 fixes - Gearbox & transferMedium severity
Series gearbox jumping out of gear
Gear lever pops back into neutral on the overrun, typically in second or third, or when lifting off over bumps.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III3 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.