2.5 VM Diesels, experiences please

[rob-o]

Hi everyone,

Just after a few opinions please, I've been offered a friends '99 Cherokee, which is a 2.5td. I've known it for about the last 4-5 years, and he's never had any major issues, we go laning regularly, he tows a dirty great horse box with it and generally does quite a few miles. What are these engines like? Reputation wise? I have read about overheating and head issues, but then I suppose bad news always travels further than good.

So are they any good?

Thanks, rob.

[The Smiths]

They are OK - not one of the best, but not the worst, look after them and they run, neglect them and they will give you issues after a few years (normally why people sell them on, and new owners get the major problems created by previous neglect)

[john1961]

I bought mine back in January,it was running fine......or so I thought .it didn't loose water didn't overheat, thought id treat it and give it a service,obtained all the correct oils filters etc ,changed all the oils etc ....no problem as a last thought checked the antifreeze content ....on the low side so drained and flushed and refilled running it with a 50% antifreeze mix 2 days on and 176 miles later "CHECK GUAGES LIGHT " came on in a instant over heated removed heads and had them pressure tested 2 cracked I was told by the shop that tesyed em they stank of K seal BODGED before buying it After that horror storey was cured it runs well and tows my 20ft boat easily with no trouble and is always reliable,coped with 3 ft snow drifts with ease, loving it now ,no welding done or needed unlike some rover things cheaper to insure as a 2nd car
if you know some of the history of the one your after ...dare I say it might be ok check service record
Just bought a Grand Cherokee 2.5 TD lightening cant strike twice can IT !!!????

[rob-o]

thanks for the opinions, ill have a look at it and see how well it has actually been treated!

rob

[les234]

keep them serviced & the cooling system clean I got 270k miles from mine,& still going strong, with no issues . As said above neglect them , ooooooooooooooouch !!

great off road , a little bouncy with leaf springs, body mainly fibre grass rear so no rot, the original " Yank tank " & a bargain can be had, better & more reliable than any , I meen ANY landrover I had..

[Jim1064]

Years ago I had a Rover 825 SLD with the 2.5 VM diesel. Drove it for over 80.000 miles without a single engine problem.