VM diesel engine reliability

[Sonoran Rovers]

I'm considering picking up a RRC from Italy. Good prices there but I've heard the VM engines overheat. I'm seeing some lower mileage vehicles and some well up towards 200k miles. So they must do ok there.

I'm looking for somthing to use as an expedition rig that can transport a family in comfort to Central America.

Any experience with these in hot American conditions?

 

[Viton]

Are you talking about the VM diesel engine that are used in Jeeps here in the US ?

 

[1of40]

Ambient heat is not what causes most engines to overheat. All engines fail. Brand new ones fail as well as 25+ year old engines. The newer ones just tend to fail lass often, parts to repair are typically easier to get and menchanics to fix them properly are typically easier to find. I personallly don’t have the patience for all the, let’s call it “drama”, that comes along with a 25 year old engine while in a trip in a foreign country with my family in tow. Sounds like a great adventure though.

 

[RDavisinVA]

The older VM diesels are not necessarily a bad choice, but there are much better options for international travel.
The older version is very different from the engine currently used in Jeeps available on the US marketplace.
As a result, parts are getting more and more difficult to come by.
I wouldn't want to be traveling in South Central America and have to locate a simple part like a water pump that could impose a long delay on your ability to continue your travels.
If you do plan to travel internationally with an older VM, you most self reliant option would be to carry a cache of spares and the tools needed to keep the old girl going.

 

[Sonoran Rovers]

Thanks for the responses. I'm referring to the VM s in European RRCs there are lots for sale in Italy. Didn't know they were in Jeeps.

I wouldn't consider it but have just discovered that we can't take our RHD 110 through Costa Rica, Nicaragua and probably Chile.

More to think about here.

 

[Red90]

....I've heard the VM engines overheat.?

And TDIs overheat and Rover V8s overheat and, if you search, you can find discussions on most engines overheating. They were all fine when they were built. 25 years later, things need to be fixed. Reliable use of an old vehicle in remote areas is more to do with condition of the specific vehicle and not which engine is has.

 

[RDavisinVA]

Thanks for the responses. I'm referring to the VM s in European RRCs there are lots for sale in Italy. Didn't know they were in Jeeps.

I wouldn't consider it but have just discovered that we can't take our RHD 110 through Costa Rica, Nicaragua and probably Chile.

More to think about here.

Don't be confused by previous posts.
The older VM engines were used in Range Rover classics.
I believe Land Rover no longer supplies any parts for them.
While the engine that is manufactured for US market Jeeps is made by VM, these current engines are very very different from the older VM engines that were used in Range Rover classics.

So I'll repeat my previous post again:

The older VM diesels are not necessarily a bad choice, but there are much better options for international travel.
The older version is very different from the engine currently used in Jeeps available on the US marketplace.
As a result, parts are getting more and more difficult to come by.
I wouldn't want to be traveling in South Central America and have to locate a simple part like a water pump that could impose a long delay on your ability to continue your travels.
If you do plan to travel internationally with an older VM, the most self reliant option would be to carry a cache of spares and the tools needed to keep the old girl going.

 

[Roverman2010]

Don't be confused by previous posts.
The older VM engines were used in Range Rover classics.
I believe Land Rover no longer supplies any parts for them.
While the engine that is manufactured for US market Jeeps is made by VM, these current engines are very very different from the older VM engines that were used in Range Rover classics.

Also used in Rover SD1 cars

 

[modernbeat]

I've got a RRC with a VM 2.5 TD engine.

It has some wear, but the turbo is in great shape. It's sloooow of the line. And in traffic it's a PITA. Cruising it's great. But you have to really gear down to get any grunt for any off road stuff.

And the parts availability issue is real. For convince I added some valve cover sealing washers to a recent order for some other parts and found out they also have been discontinued. The aftermarket diesel market can supply some of the parts (pump, injectors, glow plugs) and most hoses and gaskets are available (but not the pump bypass hose, RTC6668), but I wouldn't take it on a trip where I had a schedule to keep.

 

[Roverman2010]

Have you tried Rimmer Bros? don't just check the web site contact them with Pt#s , they have an US# now 1-855-746-2767

 

[Sonoran Rovers]

I've got a RRC with a VM 2.5 TD engine.

It has some wear, but the turbo is in great shape. It's sloooow of the line. And in traffic it's a PITA. Cruising it's great. But you have to really gear down to get any grunt for any off road stuff.

And the parts availability issue is real. For convince I added some valve cover sealing washers to a recent order for some other parts and found out they also have been discontinued. The aftermarket diesel market can supply some of the parts (pump, injectors, glow plugs) and most hoses and gaskets are available (but not the pump bypass hose, RTC6668), but I wouldn't take it on a trip where I had a schedule to keep.

Thanks, thats super helpful info. I wouldn't consider it but they can be had pretty cheep in Italy. I've seen them for under 5000Euro and 8ish for what seem like good trucks on the face of it.

We're fortunate to have a pretty wandering schedule. I don't mind hanging out with local mechanics too.

Are they way underpowered compared to a 2 or 300tdi?

 

[modernbeat]

...Are they way underpowered compared to a 2 or 300tdi?

Top power, no. The VM is about the same or maybe even stronger. But off the line, mine has more lag than a 200Tdi.

 

[modernbeat]

Have you tried Rimmer Bros? don't just check the web site contact them with Pt#s , they have an US# now 1-855-746-2767

I didn't, and I won't. I ordered them along with some other parts because it was going to be convenient. There's no need to order parts like this from a dealer. Next time I do a valve adjustment I'll just measure them and order a bag of them from an industrial supply shop like McMaster.