I would say the biggest issue would be the plastic dowels they used to align the head with the block. they corrected this with the 15p motors. Second, would be the oil pump bolt not having thread lock and with time this falling out ultimately seizing the engine for good. These were rectified in later years.
I would say those are the two biggest issues.
All other issues mesh with the 15p and 16p motors such as oil in the loom, injector seals etc.
The oil pump bolt you can check yourself. If the oil pressure light ever comes on stop asap. Tow it to a garage for inspection.
The plastic dowels are a bit more complicated, essentially the most cooling you can add for the engine is the best preventative action to prevent the head from shifting a spoiling your head gasket.
I would say those are the two biggest issues.
All other issues mesh with the 15p and 16p motors such as oil in the loom, injector seals etc.
The oil pump bolt you can check yourself. If the oil pressure light ever comes on stop asap. Tow it to a garage for inspection.
The plastic dowels are a bit more complicated, essentially the most cooling you can add for the engine is the best preventative action to prevent the head from shifting a spoiling your head gasket.
JohnD110
New Member
What oil do you recommend for this engine? It has 180,000 km.
3,000 km more than me. I had 5w30 in it but switched to 5w40.
truly depends on a lot of factors. Temperature, Use, Modifications etc.
I learnt 5w40 is driven more towards diesel engines and provides better protection, but key are specs.
5w30 is driven more for fuel economy, which is fine as well, but I want my truck with me till the end.
look for a A3/B4 ACEA Spec, for diesel injection engines. Very hard to find this in a 5w30.
5,000 interval changes and your truck will treat you nice.
truly depends on a lot of factors. Temperature, Use, Modifications etc.
I learnt 5w40 is driven more towards diesel engines and provides better protection, but key are specs.
5w30 is driven more for fuel economy, which is fine as well, but I want my truck with me till the end.
look for a A3/B4 ACEA Spec, for diesel injection engines. Very hard to find this in a 5w30.
5,000 interval changes and your truck will treat you nice.
Scooby22
Well-Known Member
Fuel pressure regulator leaks are another issue but not a big or expensive issue and easy fixed,
Injector seals can leak but generally TD5 engines are built like a brick sh#t house and reliable.
Like any engine, regular oil and filter changes pays dividends and keeps them going for 100s of thousand miles, the centrifugal oil filter along with normal filter keeps the oil very clean for a diesel engine, which prevents wear. But change it regularly or minimum as per service interval. I only do a few thousand miles a year but still change oil and filters at service interval.
Injector seals can leak but generally TD5 engines are built like a brick sh#t house and reliable.
Like any engine, regular oil and filter changes pays dividends and keeps them going for 100s of thousand miles, the centrifugal oil filter along with normal filter keeps the oil very clean for a diesel engine, which prevents wear. But change it regularly or minimum as per service interval. I only do a few thousand miles a year but still change oil and filters at service interval.
