Thread: Buying my first Diesel D2.Is 290 000km looking for trouble?

I'd be a little surprised if the auto was still alive at 290, makes it more likely it's been reco'd or replaced which is good.
Other than that go for it!

Well i took the Disco for a drive and i was quite surprised.I got a bit of a shock at first when i push the throttle just a little and it hardly moved I guess i was just use to the instant torque from the V8 It was my first drive in a TD5 and i was quite impressed.It was quiet on the freeway and had good power delivery for a car with 290,000 on the clock.

The only thing that concerned me was there was a little vibration at idle through the steering wheel.Is this normal for the diesel motors to have a bit of vibration transfer through? The auto was very smooth as well.So hopefully thats a good sign.There were no oil leaks.Just the usual weeping from hoses.And there was some good records of stuff done to it.I just maybe joining the dark side of diesel soon.

D2 has lots of pedal travel, you quite literally have to have a heavy foot if you want it to move anywhere quickly.
Lots of Td5s buzz at idle, mine certainly does. I'd be checking out engine mounts, they're about $300 for both and maybe a couple of hours work to replace.

Originally Posted by Disco Muppet

D2 has lots of pedal travel, you quite literally have to have a heavy foot if you want it to move anywhere quickly.
Lots of Td5s buzz at idle, mine certainly does. I'd be checking out engine mounts, they're about $300 for both and maybe a couple of hours work to replace.

Yeah i sort of figured that it had a lot of pedal travel after a few minutes. Other then that it was quite good.If the engine mounts are no good im hoping the roadworthy guy will pick that up.Which would be good because the seller is sorting that out.

Interestingly, mine have been collapsed (fully) since I bought it.
Not on their way out, well and truly shagged.
Weren't even mentioned on roadworthy, yet I've seen others pinged for it.
Best of luck

The auto will be towards the end of its life, they just wear out. Maybe it has only done country miles which would mean less gear changes and I guess less wear,

My Td5 D2a is coming up to 200k and have been told that the auto seal into the transfer is starting to leak, the changes are not as smooth as they were at 100k but still very acceptable. I have just been a little more observant since people have said that you should start to plan for a recco slush box after 200k.

Originally Posted by oxley2903

For me it appears that its the items around the engine an not the engine itself. I can't put any authority on that though but its what I have experienced.

Hi SPRover
As Oxley quite rightly says above - I have had "Larry" for 6 years now, baought with about 160k on the clock. Touch wood - the motor itself has not given a moments trouble and still pulls well, no smoke etc etc at 260k. But the ancillaries that make it work have been the things to let me down:

Fuel pressure regs like to leak, fuel coolers like to leak, I'm on my 3rd starter motor (possibly because of item one in this list ), oil coolers degrade due to electrolysis (there's 3 different metals in that one spot ) so using OAT coolant is a must - but it still happens , cam plugs like to weep - I'm sure there's some stuff I forgot . Fuel pumps are expensive and can get noisy and cavitate - especially in the heat - towards the end of their life. My 4HP22 auto was already recon'd at 160k and has been completely reliable since - but watch out for the XYZ switch.

Having said that - depending on the day - I love my Td5 - so much so I was mad enough to by a second one (manual) a couple of months ago .

Originally Posted by Disco Muppet

D2 has lots of pedal travel, you quite literally have to have a heavy foot if you want it to move anywhere quickly.
Lots of Td5s buzz at idle, mine certainly does. I'd be checking out engine mounts, they're about $300 for both and maybe a couple of hours work to replace.

DM is spot on! Your V8 had a throttle cable (I think) - Td5 is fly-by-wire and long travel, wait till you put it in Low and it gets realllllllly long and smooth!

Don't fret too much over the engine mounts if it feels a bit rough at idle. They do collapse but allegedly can't fail completely - someone please correct me on that - some claim a failed genuine mount idles smoother than a new aftermarket one.

Another possibility for the "buzz", just check all the bolts are in the acoustic shell 2 x passenger side, 1 x driver's side. I'm missing 2 on the auto at the moment and it's noticeably "buzzy" compared to the other with all bolts in.

BTW - the manual I bought has 283k on it, not far behind the car you're looking at, it's a little rough outside, but it has a full service history and runs beautifully so don't let the numbers put you off, listen to it, feel how it drives - it'll tell you where it's at...good hunting!

Cheers
Mike

Well i have put a deposit on the D2.It goes for the RWC on Monday and hopefully thats when i will be picking it up as well.Looking forward to getting it. Let the modifications begin.