Advice Req:- 1988 110 2.5TD engine performance

Hi all

as a new defender owner(more use to rover minis) I was wondering if anyone out there could tell me what sort of performance to expect from my 110 2.5Td engine?

At the moment it stuggles to keep 50mph, and only gets to 65 downhill with a wind and I wont mention how bad it goes uphill, is this expected? Where these old engines really that bad?

Does anyone have any tips for improving the performance of this engine apart from upgrading to a 200\300 or TD5 engine

I have been told that adding an up to date intercooler may help, comments?

any useful advice would be appreciated as I have no experience of Diesel engines at all

cheers
Kevin

Sounds a bit slow to me,i used to have a 110 2.5td and that would do 70,i now have a 90 2.5td 1988 and that does 75-80.

It does seem a bit slow. "They" reckon the 2.5 turbo diesel is unreliable and prone to wear especially if they've been thrashed or worked hard as in 110's. How many miles has it done? does it burn oil? have you had a compression test done. As for tuning them mines now in E flat.

Thanks for the responses sounds like somthing is amiss. In response to your questions Its done 175k but has a reconditioned engine put in a year ago so I assumed it was ok.

I have not had a compression test done yet, that was my next step but it costs so I wanted to check whats expected before spending any more hard earned dosh. There is no black smoke from the exhaust though, apart from the initial startup.

As far as the oil goes I dont know I have not owned it long enough to find out if it drinks oil, but I will keep an eye on it. How often would these normally require topping up?

cheers
Kevin

My 2.5NA will do 72 on the flat and 85 down hills, so I would think you have a problem, as your engine is mine with a turbo stuck on.

Start her up, and watch the exhust, is it blueish? this indicated smoke in the system, replace your fuel filter and check your air filter... Try all these things before you spend money.

If it has had a recon engine you may benifit from checking the boost pressure, SOME engine rebuilders if they fit a turbo when doing the recon tend to lower the boost slightly while the engine runs in proplery.

theres definately summat wrong with it. your getting "series" type performance figures.
you should be getting approx 70 mph without too much bother.

As far as the oil goes I dont know I have not owned it long enough to find out if it drinks oil, but I will keep an eye on it. How often would these normally require topping up?

Click to expand...

That depends on how much it leaks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!