Excessive Vibration 19J

Hi,

I have recently sold my EFI disco for a low mileage '91 RR with the notorious/legendary (delete as appropriate!) 2.5 VM TD.

I have been making good progress re-commissioning the truck but have run out of ideas to solve the problem of excessive engine vibration, especially at tick over.

I think I have a good example of the VM engine as have paperwork of a rebuild at an established VM specialist along with receipt for the all important re-tourqe of the head bolts ect. Engines done 74k since the rebuild back in '97!
Runs well with fairly decent power, good mpg, warms up quickly and temps where should be.

The problem is as mentioned the vibration at tick over is definitely excessive. I have fitted new engine mounts, transmission mounts all seem to be ok and treated it to a new exhaust system as someone decided to attempt welding the down pipe to the centre box instead of fitting the required olive!

But has made little to no difference, the bolts holding the engine mount brackets were slightly loose when I came to change the mounts, so I guess something must be out of true in the engine?

Anyone experienced this or have any suggestions? I can't live with it to be honest, but don't want to do an engine swap as besides the financial issue I am confident the engine has a good few years left in it.

Thanks,

Keith

Carry out a compression test ! Very prone to cracking pistons !! I've repaired a few 19j with cracked ane even broken pistons ! A couple of which we're running but suffering similar faults !! Low power vibration and slightly higher than normal crankcase presure !! Worth a try if all else fails !!!!

Hi,

Quick update, have been busy changing steering rods amongst other things and haven't investigated much into this problem. Probably scared of what I'll find!

Anyway have dropped it off for a compression test today, will let you know the results. But after being told, again, I'd be better off fitting a TDI starting to loose faith!

Hi,

Just a quick end to this thread.

Well it seems the VM lives to fight another day! Compression test completed with favorable results, injection pump timing deemed to be spot on and basically have been told the vibrations at tick over are just the nature of the beast!

Luckily i found a place which the owner had previous with this engine, he said its like a rolls royce compared to what his Rover 825 diesel was like at idle.

I did nearly 400 miles in the old girl over last weekend, including some pretty deep floods, and hasn't missed a beat. Weirdly i'm getting approx 36 mpg somehow which is a welcome change from the 10 mpg my old Disco was returning on LPG.

Now just need to try and source a cheap oil cooler and i'm 100% mechanically sorted.

Thanks all for your input.