VCU is it ok ?

Just bought 2005 TD4 on Sunday and already sorted a couple of issues thanks to this forum. Now I think I'm getting paranoid about the vcu. I did intend to change it but the car seems to drive fine and in full lock it will reverse just by letting out the clutch with no accelerator. Is this a good sign ?
Thanks again for advice so far.

I'm in the same boat as you. I've owned my 06 TD4 from new and it's coming up to 65000 on the clock. Somebody has said if it's not broke don't fix it. What's the mileage on yours.

116000 suppose vcu could have been changed but I've no paper work to support this. Was going to do the rover Ron remap thingy as well but it's a lot pokier than I thought it would be so I'm wondering if that has been done. Will have to look into it.

Well if it's not been done it's doing well for 116000 miles. Makes you wonder don't it. Have you done all the other mod's yet, if not I would do those first then think about the rover ron map.

Mod's include: EGR blank, Crank case breather BMW mod, Give the air intake manifold a good clean out, add 250ml of two stroke oil in every tank full. Must say I have done all the mods and mine is running great without the rover ron map I also pull a caravan with an MPTLM of 1600kg.

Thanks for the advice grayo, only bought it on Sunday so not got around to anything yet. What's the idea of the 2 stroke oil in the diesel ? Is that with every tankful or just now and then ?

dwalk said:

Thanks for the advice grayo, only bought it on Sunday so not got around to anything yet. What's the idea of the 2 stroke oil in the diesel ? Is that with every tankful or just now and then ?

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Type '2 stroke' into the search function and enjoy

dwalk said:

Thanks for the advice grayo, only bought it on Sunday so not got around to anything yet. What's the idea of the 2 stroke oil in the diesel ? Is that with every tankful or just now and then ?

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250ml in every tank full lubricates the whole fuel system and makes the engine run nice and smooth also seem to have a lot more grunt. I've been using it for well over a year now and find it great. Just make sure it's the mineral 2 stroke oil and not the synthetic 2 stroke oil.

Cheers guys, I'm sending the mrs to Tescos tonight. Will try to fathom out the erg at weekend.

Lots of info about EGR in the sticky at top of page a good read.

Thanks grayo I've had a quick read of it, will have to look again before I start anything, I'm not real mechanically minded. As said only had the car a few days but I really like it. I'm gona do quite a lot of miles over winter so want to try anything that will give more mpg. Might need to put it on A T tyres so don't suppose that will help.

Are you planning on going off road or green laneing Just wondered why the AT's ??? I've got Pirelli Scorpion STR's on mine never had a problem in the snow and I live on top of a mountain in the south Wales valleys, a one mile drive from bottom to top.

You will get a lot of road noise with the AT's

Has the VCU ever been changed? U may only be 2wd if u have a Beaumont VCU on there!! There should be at least a little tightness on full lock. If none then get off road and test ur 4wd!!!!!

I'm using the car, ( actually its the commercial version ) for shooting and carrying my dogs about, so will be going off road. Nothing serious, wet fields, muddy tracks etc. I took it up the river bank near my house last night which is fairly steep with no problems so I'm fairly sure it's in 4 wd

Just fitted a set of General Grabbers A T. Not done many miles but noise doesn't seem too bad and steering seems lighter and more responsive than before. Think I will have a look at the egr bypass next. There's a few on ebay with quite a price difference. I thought the stainless steel one would be a good buy ?

Is there any way to know if it is a Beaumont vcu ?

dwalk said:

Is there any way to know if it is a Beaumont vcu ?

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Can you spin your front wheels on slippery roads?

I'll try it when I get chance. So are you saying if the front wheels spin then it is not going into 4wd ?

dwalk said:

I'll try it when I get chance. So are you saying if the front wheels spin then it is not going into 4wd ?

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Most likely yes. Although I have had all 4 wheels spinning, it was on ice.
My V6 is a git for wheelspinning when in 2wd mode, I shouldn't think it would be too hard to do with the other engines also.

Of course its OK

we can tell by just reading your post


You cant be bothered to test it - and we dont have to pay if we are wrong.

Dammit the needle just bent on my irony detector

I think what MHM is gently implying is that the only way to know for sure is to test it.
The "one wheel up" test is the easiest and recommended by several members, though others say it isn't reliable. Whatever, it will give you a good clue.
The other way (and a bigger PITA) is to remove it and bench test it, I'm sure you know how by now