Are there any common problems with the 2.5 engine

hi all,
I am looking to buy a frontera and have decided the 2.5 TDS is the best option, I have read that it is the same engine in the jeep cherokee which seems to suffer with head cracking problems. Does the frontera have any similar faults or any other problems that it would be helpful to know about before buying one. thanks for any help.

Good choice mate never had any probs with engine
on mine but im sure someone with abit more savvy
will beable to answer your query.

Hi Mate, I own one so can comment:
The only gripe I have is with Vauxhall, there spare parts are a herrendous price:
As to the car it`s self,, it really pulls well considering the wheight and length and is very good on Mileage..
Round town about 27 mpg::: on a run a decent 35 mpg, if you boot it,,, it lets you know you are back down to 23/25..
I am talking 80 mph +,, so all in all very good that way.
Regarding working on it does have a few things like changeing oil filter, bit of a pig to get at, and not lose the oil while while doing it... If anyone on here can tell me different PLEASE tell me..
very comfortable ride, and is amazeing in 4 wheel drive on snow. :dance:

Our road is never gritted so it becomes very hairy at times..
As regards the car, I am well pleased with it, I groan on here about prices they charge but there are other alternatives to try.. As long as its not over heating mate get one, welly it when you buy it and take it for a Good run.
Then its make your mind up time.. yes the engine is as you say the same as the JEEP, but keep things tidy and well topped up with oil and water, and they should go ok..
Hope its been a little help..
Colin:Norfolk.

Nah, the heads arent a common fault with these mate.
Number 1 injector has electrics in it and when it buggers up the system goes in to limp mode until it is replaced. (Quite expensive too)
The viscous fan hub centre bearings seize up, but it just means the blades turn at full speed all the time.
They are proving to be a pig to source, but we are on this problem as we speak, to try and solve this.
As long as you stay on top of the oil changes you will have a good unit.
Oil filter is removed by disconnecting the bottom radiator hose in order to get at it. All done from the top side.
Drain the oil first after which most of the oil will have drained from the filter, so less mess.

Some folks dont prefer the 2.5 because its a cable less engine. All electronics which seem to freighten them off, but I havent heard an awful lot of faults with this side of it.
The unit has plenty of power at hand when required and you will get a return of the high 30s per gallon.
(Depends on how you drive it)
I hope this helps you.

Oh, and check out the service history.

i have owned a 2.5tds for the past 10years and never had any problems with the engine
infact this is the first 4x4 i bought and to be honest want another 1 (i.e. 2.5tds)

if u do decide to get 1 and do get any problems the guys on here will help u out there a civil bunch of fronty experts :wink:

hi, Ive just bought one from a fellow fogger and had it for 3 days and its had no chance, straight into work and snow.
Ive had a 2.3 up until now and was quite content with that.
The 2.5 is definately quicker and the heatings much better. I am hoping that the mpg will be good and will be checking this over the next week or so.
One question I have is in changing the oil do you loose the coolant in the radiator?
Is a clicking of a relay normal as you turn the key to the first click before the plugs warm up?
I didnt know it was the same engine as the jeep,I know someone with a 2.5 jeep and hes very happy with it.

thanks for all the info, just got to find the right one to buy :dance:

thanks rifleman for the tip on the coolant loss.I am looking forward to learnig how to do all these jobs.

i change my oil filter without taking off the hose, altough i use a pit at work and go from underneath.

Ahh.... ok thanks petergt5.I dont have a pit but i do have a forklift

I think there is a guard underneath mine, a thick plastic one ,held on by about four screws, which took me by surprise as the 2.3 dosen't have one of those.

Hello all.

Soon to be a Frony owner here. Just wanted to say thanks for supplying me with the valuable information while I was looking for my first Fronty. So as things stand, I'm going to be picking up my 1998 2.5TDI LWB Arizona tomorrow. :dance:

Aparently there was

Opel Frontera 2.5TDS Arizona

Aint she a beauty? :dance:

Ah ha... Is it an import of some sort? Definitely no UK spec models called Arizona. I think it might be what we call the Transglobe in the UK?

Yep its a limited edition model,trim level thing,along the lines of the Niagara (Green),Atlantis (Blue),Arizona (Sandy),there were others all had hard shell spare wheel covers (colour coded & model specific decals)

what is special on the arizona? thanks