I have 90' 1988 2.5DT that I really like. But the engine is making me worry at nights. It is a heavy breather and is blowing lots of oil into the air filter. I opened it up and put in a new head gasket and i think that cracks on the pistons are beginning to show.
Since I really like my Land Rover (called Snow White... :) I would like to keep it with the 2.5DT (where Im living the cost of a 200 or
300td would be too much and the availability of used Defenders is something to cry about), I would like to try to make a bad thing (my engine?) a good thing.
Since this is the first engine that Im planing on making surgery on I need a few advices. My plan is to put in new pistons (standard size) and big end bearings and see if that cures the heavy breathing. Im gonna try to have the engine in the car, opening just the oil pan and the top. The rest of the engine seems to be in a very good order after around 110k km (80k miles?).
Any thoughts? Anything I should be looking out for when I tackle this job? Are the pistons sold (at John Craddock or Paddocks or any other...) any better than the original? Anything else? :)
Thanks!
Oli