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kjmeijer

Member Since: 09 Apr 2012
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 88

Starting Problems / intercooler leak

Over the past few months I've had to start my D200 (2021, 115,000 kilometers) twice several times before it starts. It's inconsistent and sometimes it runs fine for weeks.

Last week, the engine fired right up when I tried to start it, but made a very strange noise for several seconds (as if it hadn't fully started) and ran very irregularly, even shaking. Attached a print screen from my IID Tool.

The Defender is currently at my Land Rover specialist and it took quite some time to diagnose a problem. Now they say there is a smalll leak in the intercooler and the car is loosing minimal coolant overnight. This should cause the problem. Costs around EUR 1500 to replace the intercooler. (Last year the lambda probe had to be replaced and I had to pay for repair of a defect headlight so the car becomes an expensive drive.)

To be honest the intercooler leak sounds a bit strange to me because the last several months there was no coolant problem and I never filled it up with coolant.

Any ideas or advice from you would be helpful.

Click image to enlarge 2021 Defender 110 HSE

24th Oct 2025 7:09am

Johan_B

Member Since: 20 Sep 2024
Location: Gothenburg
Posts: 164

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Tonga Green

The intercooler is cooling the inlet air heated by the turbo, a leak in that one can not effect coolant loss, so if there is a leak in the intercooler it is unrelated to the coolant loss.

If you are loosing coolant there's either an external or internal leak. Maybe they meant that the radiator was leaking? Either way, I can't see how an external leak would cause your problems, but if the leak is internal you may have coolant in the cylinders as you try to start in the morning. If so, once started you would likely see white smoke in the exhaust once it starts. It could then point to a head gasket issue or possibly to the EGR cooler (which I just assume you have, I don't know this engine).

To me it sounds strange that "it looses a small amount of coolant over night." How can they detect that? It it is noticeable in the header tank I wouldn't say it's a small amount.

24th Oct 2025 8:11am

kjmeijer

Member Since: 09 Apr 2012
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 88

Some explanation from the specialist: the intercooler has an internal leak. Due to the pressure in the cooling system, coolant slowly flows into the air intake. While driving, this burns off and you don't see it, but overnight or when stationary, it collects in the hoses and the air system. You can see this in the hoses after pressurizing overnight.

Click image to enlarge 2021 Defender 110 HSE

24th Oct 2025 9:40am

Johan_B

Member Since: 20 Sep 2024
Location: Gothenburg
Posts: 164

Since I lack knowledge of your specific engine and installation I can't give more advice. I still have a hard time to understand how an intercooler leak can cause coolant into the intake system but there might be something I've missed. If it was an EGR cooler leak this would make perfect sense to me.

24th Oct 2025 10:45am

kjmeijer

Member Since: 09 Apr 2012
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 88

Still many thanks for your input! 2021 Defender 110 HSE

24th Oct 2025 10:50am

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