Timing Chain Failure – 2.0 Ingenium Diesel
Timing chain failure is a well known problem on all models using the 2.0 Ingenium diesel engine, including the new shape Defender, this is down to oil dilution from incomplete DPF regenerations and insufficient oil changes. Chain failure is initially characterised by a rattling noise on cold start and sometimes a restricted performance message on the dash.
If failing timing chains are left for too long, they can jump time or snap causing the pistons to hit the valves, effectively destroying the engine. The plastic guides that the chains run along can also cause problems too. As they wear over time, plastic particles from the guides can make their way into the engine oil pickup system blocking it, this can lead to spun crankshaft bearings causing a bottom end failure as well as turbo failures due to insufficient oil supply.
If you have failing timing chains the solution is to replace the chains along with new guides, idlers and tensioners.
To read more about this issue, please take a look at our full article on 2.0 Ingenium timing chains.
Turbocharger Failure – 2.0 Ingenium Diesel
Turbo failure can happen to various models and explained in on our Turbochargers page, however, the 2.0 Ingenium diesel found in the Defender is particularly prone to this issue. The causes range from poor oil quality and contamination to carbon build-up or outright failure of related components like the oil feed pipe.
For a guide on diagnostics and replacement along with a fully costed estimate to replace a failed turbo, please click the button below.
Piston Cooling Oil Jet Solenoid – 2.0 Ingenium Diesel
The 2.0 diesel engine used in the the New defender uses an electronically controlled solenoid to manage oil flow to the piston cooling jets. These jets help keep piston temperatures under control when the engine is under load, reducing stresses and wear on the internals.
However, a common issue on the 2.0 Ingenium engine is the failure of the piston cooling oil jet solenoid, usually triggered by coolant leaking from the thermostat housing onto the solenoid body and connector.
For a guide on diagnostics and replacement along with a fully costed estimate to replace a faulty Piston Cooling Oil Jet Solenoid, please head to our dedicated page by hitting the button below.
AdBlue Issues – Diesel Models
The new Defender is fitted with an SCR system, SCR is a filtration system that uses Urea (AdBlue) as a catalyser to neutralize harmful Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions from the exhaust. SCR, like many emissions control technologies requires monitoring, if the system runs out of AdBlue, the car will not start until the system is topped up, but if overfilled, sensors can sometimes fail.
You may also notice you are needing to fill up with AdBlue more often. Increased consumption is sometimes linked to contamination or sensor failure. If you have noticed an uptick in your AdBlue consumption or any other unusual behavior from the SCR system, it is advised to get your vehicle booked in for diagnostics.
Diagnosing SCR System – £84.90 inc. VAT Per Hour
NOx Sensor Replacement – £610 inc. VAT
DPF Failure – Diesel Models
Diesel Defender L663 models are equipped with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). The DPF system catches all the soot emitted from the diesel combustion process and keeps it in a chamber until it can be burnt off during DPF regeneration. Regeneration occurs passively when the vehicle is run at high speeds for a sustained period (such as during a motorway journey) where the exhaust system will reach the required temperature to burn off all the soot.
If the vehicle isn’t used on long runs at motorway speeds semi-regularly, the DPF will fill up to the point that an active regeneration will need to take place, this is where extra fuel is injected into the engine to artificially raise temperatures and create the conditions required for a DPF regen. Some owners may not realise a regeneration is in process and will switch the vehicle off before the regeneration cycle is complete. If enough regeneration cycles fail, the DPF will block up causing the red DPF warning light to appear on the dash with the message “Exhaust Filter Full Visit Dealer”.
We have become very experienced with DPF issues at K Motors and have a 3 step approach for diagnosing faults. We can look for faults or force a DPF regeneration using our Autologic OBD systems or we can manually clean out the DPF and again attempt regeneration, hopefully clearing the fault. Unfortunately though, sometimes sensors can fail and these are not cheap to replace, the filter unit itself could also be beyond repair and due to the materials used in their construction, they are very expensive.
DPF Diagnostics – £84.90 inc. VAT Per Hour
Force DPF Regeneration – £110 inc. VAT
Manual DPF Clean & Regeneration – £300 inc. VAT
To read more on DPF systems, please take a look at our article on DPF Maintenance.
For a fitment guide and full estimate on replacing a DPF on the 2.0 Diesel model, please head to our DPF Failure page using the button below.
Electrical Failures
The New Defender is loaded with kit and is quite the departure from the utilitarian nature of the original. Whilst it still keeps that same design philosophy and improves on the infamous off-road ability, it makes use of electrical sensors and systems to do all of this. This has made the New Defender a very complex vehicle that can suffer from various electrical failures. Commonly reported electrical faults on the Defender range from failed wireless charging pads up to failing rear lights due to a voltage spike or the vehicle completely cutting out.
Finding the source of electrical failures can either be a very simple or very complex task and there is no way to guarantee the length of time it will take to track a fault down and rectify it until it is found.
Investigate Electrical Faults – £84.90 inc. VAT Per Hour
Brake Discs and Pads
The New Defender is a very large, heavy vehicle with a lot of power, because of this, it is very heavy on brakes and can wear out a set of discs within 32,000 miles. It can wear out brake discs much faster than that too if brake pads are worn down enough to score the discs with their metal backing.
In order to avoid squealing due to poor bedding in of new pads, we recommend replacing both the brake pads and discs if there is a considerable lip on the discs. As mentioned above, scored discs will also require replacing for optimal performance.
Brake services could be performed by any garage or competent DIY’er once upon a time, but the New Defender requires the latest specialist diagnostic equipment to be able to retract the pistons so that pads can be replaced.
Replacement Pads – Front – Starting From £233 inc. VAT
Replacement Discs & Pads – Front – Starting From £635 inc. VAT
Replacement Pads – Rear – Starting From £273 inc. VAT
Replacement Discs & Pads – Rear – Starting From £561 inc. VAT
Door Lock Replacement
As with most JLR vehicles these days, the door latches on the New Defender are prone to failure. You might find that you can’t lock the vehicle or have activated the central locking but you are still able to open one of the doors. All parts of the latch mechanism are contained in a sealed unit now and will need to be replaced as one with the genuine Land Rover part.
Replace Door Latch Mechanism (Genuine LR) – P.O.A
