range rover 2.5 dse. bad points

dougdotcom · Feb 1, 2012

Im looking at a Range Rover. 2.5 dse and wanted to know from the diesel owners of the most comon faults to look for in terms of the diesel and not the petrol, i think i know all the petrol faults but the diesel engine not, its the BMW engine what do i need to listen for? what do i need to look for? it has airbags i think so looking for air loss and checking the bags is a must, I have the diagnostics for the diesel engine and suspension, hevac etc, etc.

Any help would be brill.

dogsbody · Feb 1, 2012

It's a bit difficult to know what to say because I know that you know your Rangies.

So these are from my personal experience over two years of ownership.
In-tank pump, glow plugs and leak-off pipes can all cause poor starting, especially if the tank is below quarter full.
Hot starting can be an issue due to wear in the injector pump, normally overcome by a gizmo to use the heater plugs every time.
Cooling issues are the usual (viscous fan, stat, rotten rad) but BMW did fit water pumps with plastic vanes that can break up inside the engine.

Datatek · Feb 2, 2012

Dogsbody has covered most of it, but like the petrol the aircon condensors fail and the swaged joints to the engine oil cooler leak and the pipes can be very rusty.
Post 99MY are supposedly better. The aircon condensor fans can be used for engine cooling in place of the viscous fan with a simple mod.

If there is any sign that the engine has been overheated, worry about head failure.

Saint.V8 · Feb 2, 2012

As above - and also they are a tad slow, how slow surprised me when I test drove mine....but give it a prod and she will wake up and take notice.

As always - never buy a Rangie with faults indicated unless you know what you are getting yourself in for...(I understand you know RR's very well so use your head and not your heart....)

wammers · Feb 2, 2012

dogsbody said:
It's a bit difficult to know what to say because I know that you know your Rangies.

So these are from my personal experience over two years of ownership.
In-tank pump, glow plugs and leak-off pipes can all cause poor starting, especially if the tank is below quarter full.
Hot starting can be an issue due to wear in the injector pump, normally overcome by a gizmo to use the heater plugs every time.
Cooling issues are the usual (viscous fan, stat, rotten rad) but BMW did fit water pumps with plastic vanes that can break up inside the engine.

Most hot start problems will be caused by chain stretch. When the vehicle is being started the timing is retarded by the ECU. If the chain has stretched the timing is already retarded. So before startup it is further retarded by the ECU giving the problems. Resetting the pump timing nearly always cures the problem. The hot start sets the pump to cold start conditions, more fuel higher idle and glow plugs. That's how it works

dean68uk · Feb 2, 2012

Hi Doug, Having looked at lots before I bought my DSE I would go for a 99 MY or newer as they should be more reliable. Did the later vehicles get a metal waterpump vane? Check the hoses are not too hard on a hot engine and that it has a thermostat fitted

range rover 2.5 dse. bad points

dougdotcom

Active Member

dogsbody

Very senior member

Datatek

Well-Known Member

Saint.V8

Dyed-in-the-wool 100% RR Junkie

wammers

No longer with us, RIP

dean68uk

Active Member

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