[Lyndon]

Hi guys, been a disco owner for the last year and have the option of getting a series 88 doozel.

What are they like? all info would help.

I know they are cold and noisey but its only for a bit of summer fun, I want to know what are the usual problems? from driving them round & about through to when it comes to mot time and what are the usual faults to lookout for when i go to see it.

cheers all

Oh yeah and what is the mpg like on the original 2.25 engins? and is veg oil a problem with them?

 

[markconnor33]

Add slow to your list for the 2.25 diesel

Usual faults are;
-rust to chassis
-rust to bulkhead
-transmission leaks
-transmission whine/problems with gearbox, clutch and overdrive
-electrical problems
- bits dropping off
- brakes binding/inbalanced
- leaks

Pretty much everything you get with a disco really, but older and no electronics to worry about.

Great fun if you get a good one - but can be money pits - if you let them.

I had a 2.25 petrol engine in mine (recently changed to 300DI) which struggled to get 20mpg, diesels marginally better at 25-30 from what I gather.

Mark

 

[Lyndon]

awsome thanks!

What kind of price do they go for? its no mot and used in a farm not abused but not someones pride and joy either, will try and put some photos up if i get a chance. how many do they seat leagaly?

 

[markconnor33]

Can go for anything from "scrap" value to £20K.

All depends on age, condition and originality.

Tax exempts go for more money for obvious reasons.

If its a reasonable solid vehicle, not needing major welding/repairs £500 is a good start.
Galvanised chassis add to value.

Mark

 

[22900013a]

2.25 diesels are slow and kinda noisy, but probably not as bad as people make out.
Look out for seized/stiff suspension if it been sat around on the farm. New leaf springs are cheap enough but beware poor quality ones. The diesels, in my experience, seem to be either be brilliant, or utter rubbish, with little in between. I had one that was outstanding until it overheated, and then another one that was rubbish from day one no matter what we did with it.
The diesel will run on veg oil.
I prefer the petrol as its more refined, quieter and a bit simpler to work on for a mechanical simpleton like me, but the diesel is closely related.

Good luck anyway and enjoy it!

 

[markconnor33]

Good info ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

However do be very careful running the diesels on veg oil.

The standard lucas injection pumps are not up to it, and its like playing Russian roulette.
Sometimes people are lucky and they go on for years. Others are unlucky and kill their pumps in only a few hundred miles.

Mark

 

[markconnor33]

SWB's can seat 3 across front seats (2 in comfort), and can be fitted with either two forward facing or 4 sideways facing rear seats (various types).

LWB's can seat upto 12 depending on seating arrangement.

Mark

 

[22900013a]

Good info ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

However do be very careful running the diesels on veg oil.

The standard lucas injection pumps are not up to it, and its like playing Russian roulette.
Sometimes people are lucky and they go on for years. Others are unlucky and kill their pumps in only a few hundred miles.

Mark

Good point, it should always be mixed with diesel, never run on neat veg oil.

 

[Lyndon]

Thanks guys!, i run the ol disco on veg/doozel was thinking of trying a 2 tank system on the series and if it works add one to the disco.

sorry for the endless questions but here are some more

1. can you run them as a rag top and still use the seats in the back legally?

2. do they do a bosch pump for the 2.25?

3. are the spares expensive?

Thanks all the info really helps!

Ps 12 seats on the lwb if they are slow with one of you in shurly its quicker to walk with 12 of you in!

 

[V8jon]

Ps 12 seats on the lwb if they are slow with one of you in shurly its quicker to walk with 12 of you in!

like it says in my siggy

Second class driving is better than first class walking!

 

[markconnor33]

I don't think i'd be sticking more than 50% quality liquid veg in in summer, mixed with 50% dino diesel.

And in cold winter prob no more than 10% veg to 90% dino.

On other hand I run a 300TDI, and other family motors on 100% biodiesel all year round, just adding upto 10% missfuel (petrol/dino diesel mix) in winter.

Mark