Member Since: 28 Jun 2014
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 97
Body off - What to do while in there?
Hi all,
So, after dropping an eye watering amount on having an overhaul of the drivetrain, I am now looking at more work.
It's almost certain all 6 glow plugs have gone (been down the usual diagnostics routes, car will only not start during freezing temperatures, anything around 1degC above is ok). Due to the nature of how I need to use it (a moments notice), a remote for the FBH is not the answer this time around.
One garage has advised they will take the heads off without removing the body to get the plugs out (if they break).
Another garage says body off first, then they have a better access and a better chance of getting the plugs out without snapping. Heads off should this fail.
Another garage won't touch it. Can't say I blame them.
The garage who said body off however has got me thinking. Given it's a 55 plate with 123k miles, there is going to be some other stuff that's on it's way out. So maybe body off for further work is not completely unreasonable.
The question is....
While the body off, what's worth changing out / inspecting?
So far I have:
- Brake lines to rear (known to corrode)
- Turbo (bit of a hard one to judge perhaps, what's the average lifespan of a turbo these days?)
- Rear belt (just because it's much easier with the body off. They were done at 97k Miles, so not sure if it's worth it or not, given that despite the awkwardness it can be done with the body and engine in situ.
- What else?
Its certainly an experience,mine was done in October as it had an oil and water leak at back of engine. While the body was off we changed the intercooler pipes, new rear belts at back of engine replaced brake pipes as they broke getting them off, cleaned chassis and treated it plus a few other jobs which you would not need like new HP fuel pump.
Chassis cleaned and treated
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20th Dec 2016 3:46 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10735
I think the only item that is worth it is the brake pipes.
I can't see why you need the body off to change the glowplugs / heads off. Apart from the rear 2.
Remove the turbo, fit new modified actuator rod. Take out the studs and drill the threads out to 8mm. Use 2x M8 flange bolts to refit. This aids future turbo removal massively, and is also much quicker.
Consider changing intercooler hoses, particularly the 2 small ones for silicone.
Consider replacing and possibly upgrading intercooler. At the very least clean intercooler & radiator.
Yours is auto, but if manual I would consider fitting a new clutch (& flywheel) - 1 hours labour as opposed to 6 to 8 hours.
Body off makes no difference to front lowers, but the rear uppers are 5 mins a side, as opposed to 2 hours with the body in place. A perfect excuse to upgrade
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20th Dec 2016 5:21 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
I'd leave the turbo alone but I would not hesitate removing its studs and putting them in the bin. Getting a turbo out at any point in the future would then be a relative breeze with flange bolts rather than studs.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20853
Attempt plugs. If they are seized, then brace yourself for heads off and body off...
Last time I had the heads off a V6, I eventually got 1 plug out, one almost out (then broke) and 4 snapped without budging.
Heads were sent to the local engineering place for 5 plugs to be drilled out and heads skimmed etcMy D3 Build Thread
Member Since: 28 Jun 2014
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 97
Thanks for the suggestions. There's certainly a good list of things there to do should the body come off.
However in this case that might not happen now . Originally I believed all 6 plugs had gone due to the very clear symptoms I was seeing. However I was able to start it the other day in the same conditons at -3 DegC with no issues. So now I am rather confused as to what is going on.
I've picked up a clamp meter and will be checking the cables on each plug to see what happens when the ignition is turned on.
Still, at least we now have a bit of a list should anyone else be thinking about taking their body off!
29th Dec 2016 12:55 am
Apache
Member Since: 16 Oct 2011
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 692
I did the clutch and turbo when I had the body off for a new engine this summer.
Starter motor disintegrated so new one of them too.
Also new intercooler hoses, new air con condenser.
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. Originally I believed all 6 plugs had gone due to the very clear symptoms I was seeing. However I was able to start it the other day in the same conditons at -3 DegC with no issues. So now I am rather confused as to what is going on.
