Engine cutting out - Defender 110 2003

[Spano]

A quick history - I have a LR Defender 110 2003 model - I traveled to the Kruger Park form Johannesburg (+/- 400km), I drove around for 5 or 6 days with out any problem. On the way back, after 5 or 6 days driving at max 60km/h and probably covering 1000-1300km in the park at this speed, the car cuts out driving at 100- 120 km/h every few seconds. The next day when i drive the car again everything seems fine?? I have done this trip 4 times in the past 4 years - this has happened every time but only then and never again? When i got back from the Kruger the first time I took it back to Land Rover - I told them about it, they serviced the car and all seemed okay, until the next trip (the following year) when the same thing happened. I took it back to Land Rover told them about the problem - they said it was the crank angle sensor which they replaced. I traveled to Kruger again the following year - same thing happened. Back to Land Rover they said the problem was probably oil traveling from the engine to the engine ECU under the drivers seat? I have just returned from Kruger and the same thing has happened again. To me it feels like it has something to do with the accelerator cable/wire because if i put my foot flat on the accelerator it does not cut out but as soon as i release the accelerator it cuts out. It feels as if the fuel to the motor is cut off momentarily - sometimes it just shudders without cutting off other times it cuts off completely. If i try and drive at 100-110km/m it will shudder every 10-20 seconds for about 5-6 times then cut off. I would really appreciate any help info on this problem - really driving me insane! PLEASE HELP - Thanks

[TerryS]

First off, let me say that I have NO personal experience with the TD5.
This notwithstanding, I read your post twice, and logic would say "don't go to the Kruger Park again" and you won't have the problem again. Screw Logic.
The engine oil travelling up the harness to the ECU is a pretty well documented problem, and I thought they came up with a fix, but maybe that was a UK thing and they never bothered to tell LRSA. I doubt that's the problem though, because if it were, you'd have it more often and progressively worse.
From the sounds of it, the extended driving at slow speeds, coupled with the dusty conditions, the throttle pedal potentiometer may be building up some crud at the spot where it stumbles. (Kinda like the throttle position sensor on a traditional cable operated throttle) It stops when you get back to normal driving because the "bad Spot" gets cleaned off.
Sorry I can't be more helpful. The TD5 is pretty much a rarity in the US. There's plenty of 200 & 300 Tdis, but they have a conventional pedal-cable-pump set up.
Maybe try one of the UK based forums where the guys are more informed on your engine. Also, try LRRforums.com. They're more a tech forum than LRO