2.8 Engine, How Good?

[mrtibbs]

Hi all. I am thinking of buying a GV with the 2.8 ltr diesel engine engine. It is the 1st 4 pot engine that I have owned in nearly 20 years have had 2 3.3 ltr V6 petrol GV's in the past. How good are these engines? Any weak spots? I am considering a 122k mile 2006 version and would like to know if this will be any good and anything I need to look for please.

Kind regards

 

Keith

[gordy]

Go for LTD edition. Has cambelt been renewed and when. Is engine noisy. Knocks from underneath. Odd fault lights up on dash. MOT advisories to check.

[mrtibbs]

Thanks, yes it is only LTD that I am looking for, I want most of the toys offered, otherwise I would buy a Transit.....

The cam belt is something that I am aware of and by the quotes I have so far it will cost between £400 and £550 to get one replaced (with and without a water pump, personally I would have the pump replaced at the same time). So as I am not looking to spend a lot of money on the car that size of repair bill is out of the question for me.I don't do so many miles so I figure a newly replaced cam belt would last me for years...

Thanks again, I will study the MOT, look for odd lights and listen to the engine, although the one I have looked at seemed very rattly compared to the 3.0 V6 Mercedes diesel engine in my Jeep.

 

Keith

[andyb2000]

The 2.8CRD engine (I've had two now, both 2004/2005 models) has a distinctive noise to it, to the point where my kids now know when I'm outside or in a car park as they recognise the noise of the engine, so just bear in mind it's got a different 'noise' to other CRD engines.

 

Couple of bits to watch for from my experience in addition to gordys hints:

check horn, the clockspring when it fails will cause airbag and cruise controls to intermittently fail (not an expensive fix, but a pain as it's MOT fail)

starting - does it start from cold without accelerator 'blip', and after running warm does it start first time? (Could indicate injectors, fuel filter, etc)

Does the engine temperature warm up after a short drive or does it sit at 0 on the gauge? This indicates thermostat stuck open (these engines are very cold runners) and will either need thermostat replaced (BIG job due to time consuming) or the additional thermostat mod.

Radio and all speakers working? If not this can be pain as the audio system is relatively complex using the ECU for power and amplifier control.

 

All in, I love the cars despite my first one getting a crack in the block (Bad maintenance from a backstreet garage I suspect on the oil cooler) and got a second one, learnt to do basic maintenance jobs and bits and pieces to keep it happy. I love driving them as find them a pleasure to drive and use daily.

 

Regards,

Andy

[mrtibbs]

Thanks Andy, great points

 

Keith

[Woodie106]

I have a 2005 ltdxs 2.8 crd. The stow &go is superb for knocking in to a van in a matter of minutes. Also make sure the headphones work so the little ones can watch paw patrol while you tune in to radio 2 & theres none of that are we there yet from the back.

Mines done 118000 & apart from eating betteries its been good.

The gearbox is my achilies heel. 2 torque converters & a new clutch.

Check the gearbox oil - or better still have an auto box specialist look at it.

As said,these engines do have a particular sound & my kids also know when I'm arriving as they can tell the pitch of this engine. They are a wee bit agricultural to be honest -its a big engine to be a 4 pot - but if looked after will go on for a long time.

also if you can make sure it starts not only from cold but also when its warmed up. My mates one would never start again after it had warmed up even after changing half the sensors etc.

[mrtibbs]

Thanks Woodie

 

Keith