Landy with Daihatsu diesel engine

Hi,

I'm going to look at this Landy tomorrow hopefully. It's a S3 fitted at some point with a Daihatsu 2.8 Diesel (not sure at the moment if its the normal or turbo engine).

I've had advice from some not to touch it with a bargepole (because of the engine) and someone else has said the Daihatsu is a good 'bulletproof' engine. I'm really confused!

Obviously I have to check the vehicle over for rot etc., but if it's as good as it seems - bit tatty but sound - should the engine matter that much?

I understand that the non LR engine means the value will be less but as a potential buyer on a limited budget that's good news for me.

Anyone had experience of this engine in a Landy?

I've had fourtraks for years on the farm and they are a very reliable engine. pump mods can really wake the engine up without affecting mpg. I would not be put off by the engine. I've currently got a turbo and a non turbo fourtrak. there's a big difference in power but they will both run forever if looked after. I've heard cooling can be an issue in the conversions so try and take it up some hills on the test drive. milners used to sell the conversion kit and if it was done using a kit then the thermostat housing will have there name on it.

Excellent thanks for the info. I won't get a chance for a test drive as the one I'm looking at is going into auction so I know there's a risk…Apparently it's been a farm vehicle too.

Parts are really cheap for them so even if you need a full engine it wont cost much.

As long as it keeps its coolant, it's a good engine, imagine the turbo is a necessity as fourtrack is lighter than series 3

Just a thought, I'd get an insurance quote first!

I had a 2.5 non turbo ( inline pump ) in a Range rover, it was bullet proof and pulled like a train, but slow getting up to speed.
The pump had an issue so I swapped it for the 2.8 rotary pump model, still excellent bit faster off the mark, I feel better than some Land Rover engines