Thread: 300ti test drive question!

Can't offer much with a diesel but your V8 with a hard hose suggests the top end of the engine is unwell.

Good luck with the rest.

Ohh mrrr! It's not hard, more like firm..

Originally Posted by DiscoDevil

I took a 97 tdi d1 for a squirt. I've read heaps on here but had a few questions someone may know about before I buy it.

It's got a reco g box, shifts well, but once, when the clutch was in and I was in third I gave it a rev, and something squealed and screeched? Sounded like a thrust washer sort of thing?

The cooling system didn't pressurize, it reached operating temp, but no pressure? Is that normal? My v8 disco gets a hard hose! Lol

The drivers floor well was wet too, meh. Probably windscreen.

Blows black smoke when you boot it up a hill and it was gutless at low revs.

The anti lock light stays on and the brakes aren't as strong as my 94 d1. It's apparently had a new vacuum thingy too.

Whatcha reckon, I can replace hoses and things, probably tune the motor and replace the turbo hoses, but that random shreek from the clutch was a bit random and worries me. Apparently it has a new clutch from a defender.

Hmm, thoughts anyone? CHEERS!!

It's got all the fruit done 270km about $6k, I like it, but a tad unsure on those points.

Fair deal do you think?

The drivers floor wet could be the heater leaking, the screech is more than likely the spigot bush dry running on the input shaft. May not have been replaced with the clutch. ABS light is a worry re roadworthy, and the ABS models do have average pedal feel. Maybe that 1 or more wheel bearing is in need of adjustment, this can also cause the ABS light to stay on and give worse than normal pedal feel.
Gutless at low rpm is pretty much normal, coming from a V8 that'll be a really obvious shortcoming for the tdi excessive black smoke can be tuned out and mybe a tappet adjustment and timing check may help. When was the last timing belt fitted?

JC

My 300Tdi D1 has 340k+ on it now and I've never heard of the gearbox noise. Mine's still original, as is the clutch, and they're only now starting to feel a bit old. I'm always wary of any second hand car that's had modifications of any sort, especially Land Rovers (Defender clutch?? Don't like the sound of that. What else has been played with?).

I have a windscreen leak but only get a wet floor after an absolute downpour, so you should make sure it is just a windscreen leak and not something nasty.

My cooling system definitely pressurises. This is THE weakspot for the 300Tdi. Make sure the cooling system is OK and check for blown cyclinder head gasket or cooling system leaks.

The brakes on mine are still good. If you're seeing warning signs I would double check.

300Tdi vehicles are generally gutless below boost, especially once they get older.

Hope this helps a bit!

Regards,
Norm.

ABS light is probably a faulty wheel sensor. Mine is the same.
Wet floor may be a leaking windscreen, heater core/pipes or a blocked A/C drain.
They are gutless at low revs as they don't come on boost until 2k. between 2000 and 2500 rpm is the sweet spot on mine.

The coolant resevoir cracks along the seam and lets the pressure out, but sits above the water level so often has no evidence of leakage. Have a good look at it or get the cooling system pressure tested while overfilled to make sure it's not cracked. Could be as simple as a faulty coolant cap too.

When warm, the hoses should be firm but not at bursting point lol no pressure at all means there is a problem somewhere.

Take it to a Landy Mechanic to have it checked.

They are gutless from the lights compared to most vehicles, not too bad once going but still gutless. When you go hard, they all plume smoke out, even new cars, its unburnt diesel and can be tuned a little but fitting Diesel-Gas will improve performance and economy.

270k km's is a fair bit, often time for a head job, water pump and all sorts of stuff.

Check cooling system, must be 100% as heat is their arch enemy.

Fit a low coolant alarm and make sure the original header tank is long gone as the are prone to cracking.

Thanks for all the tips, I might check out a few others. It needs a full hose replacement plus all the rest. There must be a better one waiting for me!

The main concern was the random clutch, gearbox noise, that's a real wtf!
Especially with a new gearbox!

I can't understand why you would hold the clutch in in 3rd gear and rev the engine, what are you trying to prove, what is it going to show you, a real good way to destroy the throw-out bearing, if you buy it I wouldn't do that too often. I think the screech (without hearing it myself) was probably the drive belts slipping at high revs, or the agonising squeal of the throw-out bearing, Regards Frank.