Re: getting the best from a 2.5 n/a diesel

On Sun, 14 Nov 2004 13:54:37 +0000, Mr.Nice.
<mr.nice@*nospam*clara.co.uk> wrote:

>I'll probably be fitting a reconditioned injector pump after snapping
>the bleed screw housing off last week.

>Also on my list are a set of recon injectors.

The injector pump and new injectors made a good improvement on mine.

>Aside from regular oil changes and a round of filters regularly what
>else can be done to get the best from this engine?
>
>I think rebuilding the engine is beyond the budget and maybe beyond
>the timescale as I need to have the vehicle on the road asap and
>definatly by mid january at the very very latest.

If it runs well now, then leave it. start considering it if you ever
loose the head gasket, or have to do some other major work.

I rebuilt mine. took 2 or 3 months of me not working very hard at it.
The shells on it were well knackered. New piston rings made a hell of
a difference too. Mine probably hadnt done that many miles (a previous
owner had it reconditioned), but it had been well abused and leaked
oil out of every seal and possible orifice.
Mine had also lost its timing belt in the past and was still suffering
from some bent valves which a head recon sorted out.

>your thoughts please boys and girls.

What do you mean by 'best'?. Make it live a long and happy life or
improve it? You seem to have got all the things sussed for the former.

To give mine a bit more go I have got a K&N filter on the engine, and
i've changed the exhaust (It was lying about at home so i thought i'd
see what it did and it actually gave it a lot more go!). Both cheap
and easy improvements. I dont think that mine could run any better
than it does now.

On Sun, 14 Nov 2004 21:04:26 +0000, Mr.Nice.
<mr.nice@*nospam*clara.co.uk> wrote:

>I was considering a K&N but I thought that would not make any
>difference to the engine in a n/a diesel?

TBH i didnt put it on the engine - my mate who had it before me did
and he said it made a difference. I can certainly notice the
difference when i take it off and clean it properly (which i dont do
often enough!)

>I wouldn't mind a stainless exhaust as my off-roading isn't serious to
>make damageing it likely and I'd consider it an investment.

I have an old cherry bomb on instead of the proper backbox My mate
had it on his 2.25 petrol until he bought a new one. After walking
past it for a few weeks as it lay in the yard i decided to try it and
see what happened. I was quite surprised that it made a very noticable
difference!
It seems to make it pull off much better, especially in 1st and 2nd.
Seems to make it more torquey at the start of the gears. I can now get
up hills in 4th and 4th overdrive which I used to be lucky to do in
3rd.
It would be interesting to see what effect a full system in a slightly
bigger bore would have (like the stainless sports ones)