Hi all and advice please

Hi all
A week ago I became the proud owner of a 1997 300tdi and today got back from a 400 mile round trip over the weekend to give it a good run, motorway to muddy tracks and all went well.
However there are a few minor problems which I guess are to be expected from its 144,000 miles-

Above about 40mph if I drive over bumps or road imperfections there is a distinct wobbling felt through the steering not dangerous just a little annoying. What might this be?

One of the rear mudflaps has fallen off and on inspection the structure it was attached to is quite badly rusted the wheel arch itself seems very intact but can this part be replaced easily (a kit?) allowing re-attachment of the flap?

What's the best route to go to give it a little more oomph I seem to have to rev it a fair bit to get it moving at a reasonable rate particularly up hill it just feels a little lacking compared to a Defender I used to drive? Air filter is new.

The timing belt is also due to be changed and will probably have a go myself how difficult a job is it as I've been quoted between £350 - £450 by an independent garage.

Looking forward to hearing any suggestions and hopefully contributing to this great site.

LandyLuke said:

Hi all
A week ago I became the proud owner of a 1997 300tdi and today got back from a 400 mile round trip over the weekend to give it a good run, motorway to muddy tracks and all went well.
However there are a few minor problems which I guess are to be expected from its 144,000 miles-

Above about 40mph if I drive over bumps or road imperfections there is a distinct wobbling felt through the steering not dangerous just a little annoying. What might this be?

One of the rear mudflaps has fallen off and on inspection the structure it was attached to is quite badly rusted the wheel arch itself seems very intact but can this part be replaced easily (a kit?) allowing re-attachment of the flap?

What's the best route to go to give it a little more oomph I seem to have to rev it a fair bit to get it moving at a reasonable rate particularly up hill it just feels a little lacking compared to a Defender I used to drive? Air filter is new.

The timing belt is also due to be changed and will probably have a go myself how difficult a job is it as I've been quoted between £350 - £450 by an independent garage.

Looking forward to hearing any suggestions and hopefully contributing to this great site.

Click to expand...

Hi un Welcome

Yeh wobble could be caused by any one of the following:tyres,shocks,excessive play in bushes,worn or badly adjusted swivel pins......

I just repare my mudflaps with 2 srips off metal each with four holes,nuts and washers,drilled through flap and mounting and bolted the bugger back on!

Do a search for EGR and get rid of the thing, this will sort your power problem out and also give you better MPG also check for diesel starvation,blocked filters,leaks,lift pump etc....

Cam belt is easy to change, just got to take a lot of bits off to get to it,viscous fan (32 mm thin spanner needed),water pump (I would change at the same time only 20snakes!),timing cover.Block the injection pump with a correct drill bit through the pulley into the block (or you can buy a kit to block the fly wheel too) I always mark all pulleys position with either tipex or a centre punch mark.
Check that the timing belt has'nt excessive wear and case is'nt full of rubber dust/debris!!! If it is you have'nt got the special correction kit on (lip on crank pulley to stop belt rubbing on timing cover) Dont do it on the cheap,change all belts bearings etc(auxillary tensioner is expensive but you can get just the bearing off fleebay for a fiver), Paddocks do a timing belt kit for about £50.Take yeh time and you will be O.K, if you are not sure of yourself,leave it to a prof as even one tooth out it will run like a bag a ****e, and if it goes realy belly up you dont need me to explain the consequences

Have fun

Jason

Hi Jason

thanks for the reply, just ordered the EGR blanking plate and bought a Haynes manual.

I will jack the front up and give everything a wobble to see where any play might be. Going to get the grease gun out aswell.

I'm going to give the timing belt a go myself as have done it on other vehicles in the past and guess as long as I mark everything should be fairly straightforward, are pattern parts reliable or should I stick to genuine parts on such an important replacement?

Will order some mud flaps and hopefully find something intact enough to bolt through.

Thanks again for the advice
cheers
Luke