this is work in progress for the TDV6 , apologises i can't comment on petrol engines as i haven't owned one
accept no responsibility, i put this together in the hopes it may help , this is only a general guide from personally owning a D3 and from learning in what to look for . Choose carefully or they can become money pits , don’t buy the first one u see, if ur not sure simply walk away
Please send me a pm if u see an error or would like something added,
many thks
Gary
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
Make sure oil pump cover has been replaced to the new style, its a must , otherwise they can destroy the engine , most notably from 2007 onwards, however it's been reported from other members that even from MY2004 onwards have failed, so imperative before purchasing or one of the first things u do is to check that a new style oil pump cover has been fitted regardless of year
Belts front and rear , tensioners , to be replaced every 105,000 miles or 7 x years , which ever comes first , the body does NOT have to be removed for the replacement of the belts
Prices for a half decent base model ,are averaging 7 -8k , all depending on mileage, history condition etc
as u go up the models , insurance becomes more expensive
base model is ins group 33
there are plenty of project D3 s on the market, but can work out very expensive to repair , buyer beware
do an online full Hpi check
MOT , check online for previous mots and adviseries
https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-status
service history
any receipts , proof of parts and work done, ie , cam belts, oil pump cover , etc
ENGINE
cam belts to be replaced 105,000 miles or 7 years , if not allow £1,000 to replace( body does not need to come off for front and rear belts)
look inside oil filler cap for any signs of water
check all levels , brake servo is under the LH cover
oil pump casing known to fail ( advisory to replace if it hasn't )
if blanking egr valves, 2007 onwards req a software patch, ( please note new MOT May 2018 Regs )
sticking turbo actuator arm
look at general condition of battery , age or any signs of leakage
condition of the engine bay, is there mud everywhere, signs of off roading
remove oil filler cap , pull off plastic cover , look at hoses , wires , general condition
ELECTRICAL / INTERIOR
check everything works, with no bong sound warnings
seats , windows, mirrors, etc
press every switch
depending on model , sat nav screen is clear with no flickering
front or rear parking sensors work ok
electronic hand brake known to stick, check operation
when engine is started all warning lights go out , but ensure lights are there before hand
with just the ign on check the srs airbag light shows up and goes out with the engine running
2 x keys come with the purchase , they are conductive charging , so when the key is put into the ign it charges up the battery inside the keyfob , Ensure they work , replacement key approx £250
BODY/ CHASSIS
have a walk around, look at panels, doors, any cracking or chips
see that panels line up, any overspray or previous damage
check spare wheel
look at entire chassis from front to back, oil leaks, wires damaged , dents in chassis etc,
behind sill covers is an area that can rust
look for any signs of leaks anywhere, i.e. front carpets , leaking sunroofs
SUSPENSION
compressors are renowned for failing
whilst in the vehicle with the engine running , look at the instrument panel, there should be no symbols , whilst in normal mode, a symbol will appear in access and off road height
suspension has 3 x levels , access , normal and off road height, check each height setting and that no warning messages come up in the display
Wishbone bushes , to check these , grab the top of the wheel , pull the tyre towards u then away from u, in a rocking motion , trying to establish if there is any play in the bushes , to do it properly it needs to be jacked up, but this can at least give u a rough idea of the condition of the bushes
important , check them in the access height setting.
GEARBOX
terrain response settings , go through each one
snow
mud
sand
rocks, display comes up saying to select low gear ,
ensure smooth operation of hi /low transfer gearbox
drive along slowly in each setting , listening out for noises or clunks
centre diff lock is controlled electronically
On the higher models, i.e. HSE some have a rear electronic diff lock ( eas an option )
BRAKES
look at all brake hoses and pipes
back brake pipes can be an issue
as mentioned , ensure electronic handbrake works correctly and doesn’t screech
after a test drive check each wheel, are they hot , signs of sticking calliper , handbrake
DRIVING
on starting the engine, did it start straight away, any smoke , is the rev counter fluctuating a lot , is the engine smooth , look underneath for any fluids leaking
find a quiet area with no other traffic, at around 5mph gently dab the brakes , listen out for any knocks, if u do can be an indication of worn wishbone bushes
wishbone bushes are known to fail , the D3 is a heavy vehicle , 2.7 tons
with ur hands just off the steering wheel, gently touch the brakes , does it pull to one side
now back on the road at the relevant speed limit , it should be smooth and quiet , automatic gearbox changing without knocks or bangs , is kickdown smooth
put ur foot down , does it pull ok, get it over 3,000 revs, are there any warning bongs or messages appear in the instrument panel , i.e. special programs off
this can sometimes indicate a turbo or sticking turbo actuator arm issue, but not 100% until codes are read
When parked up , CHECK the handbrake comes on without any screeching , if it does u may end up with a £1,000 bill if it reqs a new handbrake module
KNOWN ISSUES
compressor
oil pump casing, make sure this has been replaced, if not get it done,
turbo actuator arm sticking
wishbone bushes
rust under sill covers
brake pedal switch
suspension bushes, mainly front lower and rear upper
eats brake pads, weighs 2.7 ton
3 x electrical connectors that are behind front passengers inner wheel arch , known to cause errors
DIAGNOSTICS
can't recommend the Gap iid enough , is extremely beneficial , read and clear faults , calibrate suspension heights, able to update and flash engines ecu etc,
http://www.gap-diagnostic.com/shop/iidtool-bt/
will pay for its self very quickly, service is second to none from Gap
currently £420 , bluetooth model better, can use with a phone or ipad
GENERAL
MPG - expect 20 -22 around town , 28-32 motorway
very quiet at motorway speeds
extremely comfortable and very nice to drive
very capable on & off road
plenty of room , 7x seats ( Early 2004 models can be 5 x seats and on coil suspension )
they are complicated , so a diagnostic reader is a must
as u go higher in the range the insurance becomes more expensive , Base model group 33
COSTS
compressor 450-500
tyres 100-120 each,
cam belts, tensioner , allow a grand
strut , OEM around £150 each
air tank £130
to be continued
always feel free if u think any of the information is wrong, sending me a pm plse, would rather know and correct it
so that at the end of the day it's 100%
hope this helps
gary
accept no responsibility, i put this together in the hopes it may help , this is only a general guide from personally owning a D3 and from learning in what to look for . Choose carefully or they can become money pits , don’t buy the first one u see, if ur not sure simply walk away
Please send me a pm if u see an error or would like something added,
many thks
Gary
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
Make sure oil pump cover has been replaced to the new style, its a must , otherwise they can destroy the engine , most notably from 2007 onwards, however it's been reported from other members that even from MY2004 onwards have failed, so imperative before purchasing or one of the first things u do is to check that a new style oil pump cover has been fitted regardless of year
Belts front and rear , tensioners , to be replaced every 105,000 miles or 7 x years , which ever comes first , the body does NOT have to be removed for the replacement of the belts
Prices for a half decent base model ,are averaging 7 -8k , all depending on mileage, history condition etc
as u go up the models , insurance becomes more expensive
base model is ins group 33
there are plenty of project D3 s on the market, but can work out very expensive to repair , buyer beware
do an online full Hpi check
MOT , check online for previous mots and adviseries
https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-status
service history
any receipts , proof of parts and work done, ie , cam belts, oil pump cover , etc
ENGINE
cam belts to be replaced 105,000 miles or 7 years , if not allow £1,000 to replace( body does not need to come off for front and rear belts)
look inside oil filler cap for any signs of water
check all levels , brake servo is under the LH cover
oil pump casing known to fail ( advisory to replace if it hasn't )
if blanking egr valves, 2007 onwards req a software patch, ( please note new MOT May 2018 Regs )
sticking turbo actuator arm
look at general condition of battery , age or any signs of leakage
condition of the engine bay, is there mud everywhere, signs of off roading
remove oil filler cap , pull off plastic cover , look at hoses , wires , general condition
ELECTRICAL / INTERIOR
check everything works, with no bong sound warnings
seats , windows, mirrors, etc
press every switch
depending on model , sat nav screen is clear with no flickering
front or rear parking sensors work ok
electronic hand brake known to stick, check operation
when engine is started all warning lights go out , but ensure lights are there before hand
with just the ign on check the srs airbag light shows up and goes out with the engine running
2 x keys come with the purchase , they are conductive charging , so when the key is put into the ign it charges up the battery inside the keyfob , Ensure they work , replacement key approx £250
BODY/ CHASSIS
have a walk around, look at panels, doors, any cracking or chips
see that panels line up, any overspray or previous damage
check spare wheel
look at entire chassis from front to back, oil leaks, wires damaged , dents in chassis etc,
behind sill covers is an area that can rust
look for any signs of leaks anywhere, i.e. front carpets , leaking sunroofs
SUSPENSION
compressors are renowned for failing
whilst in the vehicle with the engine running , look at the instrument panel, there should be no symbols , whilst in normal mode, a symbol will appear in access and off road height
suspension has 3 x levels , access , normal and off road height, check each height setting and that no warning messages come up in the display
Wishbone bushes , to check these , grab the top of the wheel , pull the tyre towards u then away from u, in a rocking motion , trying to establish if there is any play in the bushes , to do it properly it needs to be jacked up, but this can at least give u a rough idea of the condition of the bushes
important , check them in the access height setting.
GEARBOX
terrain response settings , go through each one
snow
mud
sand
rocks, display comes up saying to select low gear ,
ensure smooth operation of hi /low transfer gearbox
drive along slowly in each setting , listening out for noises or clunks
centre diff lock is controlled electronically
On the higher models, i.e. HSE some have a rear electronic diff lock ( eas an option )
BRAKES
look at all brake hoses and pipes
back brake pipes can be an issue
as mentioned , ensure electronic handbrake works correctly and doesn’t screech
after a test drive check each wheel, are they hot , signs of sticking calliper , handbrake
DRIVING
on starting the engine, did it start straight away, any smoke , is the rev counter fluctuating a lot , is the engine smooth , look underneath for any fluids leaking
find a quiet area with no other traffic, at around 5mph gently dab the brakes , listen out for any knocks, if u do can be an indication of worn wishbone bushes
wishbone bushes are known to fail , the D3 is a heavy vehicle , 2.7 tons
with ur hands just off the steering wheel, gently touch the brakes , does it pull to one side
now back on the road at the relevant speed limit , it should be smooth and quiet , automatic gearbox changing without knocks or bangs , is kickdown smooth
put ur foot down , does it pull ok, get it over 3,000 revs, are there any warning bongs or messages appear in the instrument panel , i.e. special programs off
this can sometimes indicate a turbo or sticking turbo actuator arm issue, but not 100% until codes are read
When parked up , CHECK the handbrake comes on without any screeching , if it does u may end up with a £1,000 bill if it reqs a new handbrake module
KNOWN ISSUES
compressor
oil pump casing, make sure this has been replaced, if not get it done,
turbo actuator arm sticking
wishbone bushes
rust under sill covers
brake pedal switch
suspension bushes, mainly front lower and rear upper
eats brake pads, weighs 2.7 ton
3 x electrical connectors that are behind front passengers inner wheel arch , known to cause errors
DIAGNOSTICS
can't recommend the Gap iid enough , is extremely beneficial , read and clear faults , calibrate suspension heights, able to update and flash engines ecu etc,
http://www.gap-diagnostic.com/shop/iidtool-bt/
will pay for its self very quickly, service is second to none from Gap
currently £420 , bluetooth model better, can use with a phone or ipad
GENERAL
MPG - expect 20 -22 around town , 28-32 motorway
very quiet at motorway speeds
extremely comfortable and very nice to drive
very capable on & off road
plenty of room , 7x seats ( Early 2004 models can be 5 x seats and on coil suspension )
they are complicated , so a diagnostic reader is a must
as u go higher in the range the insurance becomes more expensive , Base model group 33
COSTS
compressor 450-500
tyres 100-120 each,
cam belts, tensioner , allow a grand
strut , OEM around £150 each
air tank £130
to be continued
always feel free if u think any of the information is wrong, sending me a pm plse, would rather know and correct it
so that at the end of the day it's 100%
hope this helps
gary
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