Land Rover Defender Owners Handbook Aus Rover

							Workshop maintenance
127 SPARK PLUG CHECK/RENEWAL
(petrol engines)
V8 engine
·Remove the HT leads from the spark
plugs.
·Remove the plugs using a spark plug
socket and ratchet.
·If they are in poor condition, replace with
new plugs of the correct specification (see
General data).
·Set the spark plug gaps to the correct
setting (see General data).
·Fit the spark plugs and washers - DO NOT
OVERTIGHTEN.
NOTE:Fitting incorrect grades of spark plug,
may lead to piston overheating and engine
failure.
·Refit the HT leads in the correct order (as
illustration), ensuring that the leads are
firmly seated onto the plugs.IGNITION WIRING & HT LEAD CHECK
Check the HT leads for insulation cracking, or
corrosion at end contacts. If the HT leads are
damaged, replace with new leads of the same
specification.
NOTE:Ensure leads are reconnected in the
correct order or the engine will misfire. 
						

							Workshop maintenance
128 DISTRIBUTOR
V8 engines
WARNING
ALWAYS disconnect the battery negative
lead before carrying out any maintenance on
the ignition and electrical systems.
The internal operating parts of the distributor
are protected by a plastic insulating cover (1)
and are pre-set during manufacture - they do
not require maintenance.
WARNING
DO NOT remove or tamper with the plastic
insulating cover.
·Clean the outer surfaces of the distributor
cap to remove dirt or grease.
·Unclip the cap and check it for cracks.
Clean the inside of the cap with a dry, lint
free cloth.
·Remove the rotor arm and check it for
wear - replace if necessary.
·Apply a spot of clean engine oil to the top
of the rotor spindle (2).
·Fit the rotor arm and distributor cap,
ensuring that they are properly located.
Secure the distributor cap with the two
clips. 
						

							Workshop maintenance
129 DRIVE BELTS
Driving belt tension
All pulleys and belts should be examined
regularly for any damage, deterioration or
fouling (grit, mud, oil etc). Replace or clean
where necessary.
After every off-road session, the drive belts
should be inspected for cuts and possible
damage caused by stones. If a belt has
jumped, reposition it correctly and, if
necessary, replace it at the earliest
opportunity.
WARNING
Before checking or adjusting any drive belt;
to prevent the possibility of serious injury,
disconnect the battery negative lead to
prevent the engine from being started.DRIVE BELT - 300 Tdi engine
The 300 Tdi engine uses a serpentine type
drive belt, which drives all the ancillaries
except for the air conditioning compressor
and 24 Volt alternator (if fitted).
An automatic drive belt tensioner keeps the
belt at the correct tension, thereby eliminating
the need to manually check the belt deflection.
Under normal highway use, the belt must be
changed at 160,000 km (96,000 mile) or eight
year intervals (whichever occurs first), but
should be examined regularly for signs of
wear, splitting or oil contamination and
replaced accordingly. 
						

							Workshop maintenance
130 ALTERNATOR DRIVE BELT
V8 engine (without air-conditioning)
Check the belt deflection with thumb pressure,
mid-way between the alternator and
crankshaft pulleys. Movement should be
approximately 12 mm (0.5 in). If adjustment
is necessary;
·Turn the starter switch to position 0 and
disconnect the battery negative lead.
·Loosen bolts (2).
·Loosen the adjustment bolts (3).
·Pivot the alternator away from, or towards
the engine, to increase, or reduce tension.
·Tighten the UPPER adjustment bolt (3).
·Tighten the LOWER adjustment bolt (3).
·Tighten both bolts (2).
·Connect the battery, run the engine for five
minutes at a fast idle and then switch off.
·Re-check belt tension.V8 engine (with air-conditioning)
Check the belt deflection with thumb pressure,
mid-way between the steering pump and
alternator pulleys (arrowed (1) in illustration).
Movement should be between 4 and 6 mm
(0.16 and 0.25 in). If adjustment is necessary;
·Turn the starter switch to position 0 and
disconnect the battery negative lead.
·Slacken the adjustment link clamp and
pivot bolts (2).
·Slacken the two alternator pivot bolts (3).
·Move the alternator towards, or away from
the engine to decrease, or increase
tension. 
						

							Workshop maintenance
131
WARNING
DO NOT use a lever to move the alternator.
ONLY apply hand pressure to the alternator
body when adjusting drive belt tension.
·Tighten the adjustment link clamp and
pivot bolts (2).
·Tighten the alternator pivot bolts (3).
·Connect the battery, run the engine for five
minutes at a fast idle and then switch off.
·Re-check belt tension. 
						

							Workshop maintenance
132 POWER STEERING PUMP DRIVE BELT
V8 engine
(without air-conditioning)
Check belt deflection with thumb pressure
mid-way between the crankshaft and steering
pump pulley. Movement should be between 4
and 6 mm (0.16 and 0.25 in). If adjustment is
necessary;
·Turn the starter switch to position 0 and
disconnect the battery negative lead.
·Slacken the two pivot bolts (2).
·Slacken the pump adjustment clamp bolt
(3).
·Move the pump in the required direction to
obtain the correct tension.
WARNING
DO NOT lever, or apply pressure to the pump
body to tension the belt, as damage to the
pump may occur.
·Tighten adjustment clamp bolt (3).
·Tighten the two pivot bolts (2).
·Connect the battery, run the engine for five
minutes at a fast idle and then switch off.
·Re-check belt tension. 
						

							Workshop maintenance
133 POWER STEERING PUMP DRIVE BELT
V8 engine
(with air-conditioning)
Check the belt deflection with thumb pressure,
mid-way between the crankshaft and steering
pump pulleys. Movement should be between
4 and 6 mm (0.16 and 0.25 in). If adjustment
is necessary;
·Turn the starter switch to position 0 and
disconnect the battery negative lead.
·Slacken the alternator adjustment link
clamp and pivot bolts (2) (see Alternator
drive belt - V8 engine with
air-conditioning).
·Slacken the steering pump adjustment
clamp bolt (3).
·Slacken the two steering pump pivot bolts
(4).
·Move the steering pump in the required
direction to achieve the correct tension.
WARNING
DO NOT lever, or apply pressure to the pump
body to tension the belt, as damage to the
pump may occur.
·Tighten the pump adjustment clamp bolt
(3).
·Tighten the two pump pivot bolts (4).
·Adjust the alternator drive belt (see
Alternator drive belt - V8 engine with
air-conditioning).
·Connect the battery, run the engine for five
minutes at a fast idle and then switch off.
·Re-check both steering pump and
alternator belt tension. 
						

							Workshop maintenance
134 AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR
DRIVE BELT
Tdi engine
Correct belt tension an only be achieved using
a suitably calibrated torque meter.
·Slacken the 3 bolts (1) securing the
tensioner.
·Apply a clockwise torque of 35 Nm to the
square drive (2) of the tensioner and
tighten the bolts to 25 Nm. 
						

							Workshop maintenance
135 AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR
DRIVE BELT
V8 engine
Check the belt deflection with thumb pressure,
mid-way between the compressor and
fan/water pump pulley. Movement should be
approximately 4 mm to 6 mm (0.16 to 0.25
in). If adjustment is necessary;
·Turn the starter switch to position 0 and
disconnect the battery negative lead.
·Slacken the two compressor mounting
bracket clamp bolts (3).
·Slacken the pivot bolt (4) in the centre of
the bracket.
·Move the compressor towards/away from
the engine, to decrease/increase the
tension as required.
WARNING
DO NOT lever, or apply pressure to the
compressor, as this could cause permanent
damage.
·Tighten the clamp bolts (3).
·Tighten the pivot bolt (4).
·Check tension.
·Connect the battery, run the engine for five
minutes at a fast idle and then switch off.
·Re-check the belt tension. 
						

							Workshop maintenance
136 FAN BELT
V8 engine (with air conditioning)
On vehicles fitted with air conditioning, a
tensioner pulley is fitted. Check the belt
deflection with thumb pressure, mid-way
between the fan and crankshaft pulleys, on the
side opposite the tensioner pulley. Movement
should be approximately 4 mm to 6 mm (0.16
to 0.25 in). If adjustment is necessary;
·Turn the starter switch to position 0 and
disconnect the battery negative lead.
·Slacken the tensioner pulley pinch bolt (2).
·Move the pulley to the left/right to
increase/decrease tension.
·Tighten the pulley pinch bolt.
·Connect the battery, run the engine for five
minutes at a fast idle and then switch off.
·Re-check the belt tension.