Thread: What to look for with a TDV8

The motor is pretty good. I’ve never heard of guides failing. I’ve read speculation the more confined engine bay space compare to L322 means reduced air flow & heat doesn’t dissipate, and higher risk of premature turbo failure. Turbos seem to be failing at around 300,000km in the L322, but some much earlier.

I believe disabling the EGRs helps the motor breath and avoids the build up of gunk consisting of oil vapour & exhaust soot.

Air springs will be at the end of their life with a L320/322 at that age.

Turbo hoses are a consumable.

Plastic manifolds do occasionally fail but not common.

Ediff is not a common option on the tdv8. The mechanism is on top of the housing from memory but not easy to spot.

Hi Mike,
Why do you want the TDV8? Is it the power for towing, oodles of power low down and low down torque? Fuel economy ? I had a TDV8, awesome towing vehicle, great to drive, fuel economy for what was under the bonnet and the mass you are moving was incredible. Sounded the part if that's "what floats your boat".

The downsides for me was an alternator failure at 180,000 klms whilst on a trip, had to get the vehicle trucked back to Perth with the Camper trailer, great job by the RAC. I fitted the alternator myself, not what I would call the easiest job I have ever done, up there with the EGR valve on a 2.7 TDV6. No turbo issues which is what I think was next to go on mine, they were showing signs, however I never confirmed the reason for the smoking and the soot on the back window after a long run. I was quoted $15k to fix the turbos which was beyond my scope seeing the bodywork had to come off,

I sold mine and got a 4.4 V8 petrol, still get the power, likes a drink however the purchase cost is a lot lower, you can offset the savings here against the fuel, I get somewhere between 11.9 to 12.1 out of mine on the speedo read out. Timing chains same as the TDV8. so I invested in the V8 petrol and have now had nearly two years of absolutely trouble free motoring. One reason I have been a bit quiet on here in more recent times.

If you are dead set on the TDV8 it is a great vehicle, the only difference between that and any other RRS obviously is the engine so there is no real point mentioning anything else and downsides or upsides.

Good luck with your purchase. Cheers Marty.

The Jag 4.4v8 is by all accounts a very reliable & trouble free motor. The tdv8 is not as trouble free. However, I think an EGR disable reduces the risk of trouble. The tdv8 is very smooth/refined, economical and has bucket loads of torque.

Alternators can fail after 100,000. Mine lasted a lot longer.

Originally Posted by rar110

The Jag 4.4v8 is by all accounts a very reliable & trouble free motor. The tdv8 is not as trouble free. However, I think an EGR disable reduces the risk of trouble. The tdv8 is very smooth/refined, economical and has bucket loads of torque.

Alternators can fail after 100,000. Mine lasted a lot longer.

You're right (of course ) I had a problem with one EGR and now have the disable boxes fitted and I did the alternator about 2 months ago at about 150,000kms. The car itself and the pleasure it gives me far outweighs a couple of glitches.