What to look for?

[vargas]

Hi all, well finally I am going to look at a 1995 2.3 td lwb tomorrow

54000 miles, MOT till june, tax end jan, new water pump, needs new rear brake shoes.

Obviously check all electrics work, check for "mayo" in the oil, colour of the oil.

Is there anything else specific to this model that I should check?

Whats the best way to check the 4X4 system?

Thanks in advance

Kev.

[joncal]

Hi There , look for low oil pressure ,see where the needle settles on tickover , knocking from the back , this would indicate worn bushes or broken springs, really get under and have a good look , leaking sump pan, not a problem to fix , but some can leak fast when oil is warmed up , Rattling from the top of the front of the cylinder head could indicate chain guide trouble , and temperature whilst driving , also listen for clunking whilst driving could indicate worn drivetrain and check it goes into 4wd ,to get it out of 4wd reverse about 2 metres , sure someone else will come on and add there knowledge

[jmc]

After three yrs of having a 2.3 what can I add to joncals thoughts?
1. try to start it from cold turn up early and you might catch it before theve started it.
2.the rear springs may be feeble mine were when I got mine unbeknown to me but I didnt know until I loaded up with lots of gear the first time then I knew, it sank to its haunches.A new pair was £80.00 from milners and took me half a day to fit.
3.if you go for a drive and if you can take it hard round a corner and the opposite corner and if you hear a knocking its the bushes worn on the rear springs.
4.I had trouble with hard brakes a yr later but it was only a tiny crack on the pipe from the servo to the vacuum pump
5.check the last section of the exhaust carefully as it goes up over the axle
6.chec the rear diff for leaks.
7.check the ground underneath where it was parked for oil leaks.
8.does it have a swing arm on the back with a spare?
9.does it come with a click in and out towbar and does it work?spray wd40 into the housing if it wont go in
At 54,000 it should be great,ask if the owner knows the mpg.I got 35 out of mine.
I was very happy with mine until an untimely end two weeks ago
Change the oil regularly and keep the alloys pumped up theyll probably leak slowly and it affects performance and mpg.Flush the matrix out and watch out for a small tube from the turbo across the engine to the pump cracking, the performance is dismal if this cracks.Check that the jack and handle are in the seat behind the drivers seat.It may be a bit smokey but this is normal apparently.
Good luck

[vargas]

Thanks very much guys

Really appreciate what to look for.