Hi,

Just joined the forum.

Looking for any advice and tips on what mechanical issues to look out for on a 2003 Ducatto, 2.3 JTD. Going to look at a motorhome next week. Mileage is 50k.

thanks in advance for any advice.

Unfit said:

Hi,

Just joined the forum.

Looking for any advice and tips on what mechanical issues to look out for on a 2003 Ducatto, 2.3 JTD. Going to look at a motorhome next week. Mileage is 50k.

thanks in advance for any advice.

Click to expand...

Thats tiny mileage unless its a motorhome. At that low mileage (if genuine - pedals, mats, step, steering wheel, upholstery and controls should be in excellent condition) and that age you're biggest thing to watch out for with irish weather is corrosion.

If its a van check all the sills inner and outer for corrosion, also the front crossmembers and forward members that they bolt onto - tapping with a screwdriver handle will identify rusty areas, filler etc without damaging.

Again that age and that mileage its been standing around a lot, check tyres for perishing and flatspots, turn the steering while stationary and check for creaking/cracking noises from the struts, resistance/kickback in the steering which can indicate top strut bearings rusty from standing wet and idle. Check the brake discs for major pitting /corrosion. Listen for wheelbearing grumble

Make sure you get to start the van from dead cold, a lot of injection problems are hidden on a nicely warmed up van.

Take it for a test drive and make sure it goes smoothly through all the gears, make sure its not pulling left or right. Drive it in tight circles and listen for driveshaft wear.

Even with an excellent condition vehicle if its been standing you could easily be looking at 4 new discs, unseizing calipers, new caliper pins, 4 new tyres, full service, timing belt, wheel bearings, strut bearings etc. All small jobs that can easily add €1000 to the purchase price.

Thanks for that Corcai. It is a motorhome as you correctly assumed, Will go through the usual checks as you suggest. Really wondering if there was any acknowledged flaw or design fault in the engine and/or drivetrain that I should keep an eye out.

cheers.

The engine is very reliable, plus a 2003 will have no DPF, throttle valve, even egr was optional. Earlier gearboxes has issues with water ingress, sychro wear etc. I wouldn't expect a problem with a 2003 though. If there no record of it done I would change the gearoil to prolong the life of the box though and ensure the correct quantity inside.

^^^ Thanks . I brought it for a good drive. As tight as a nut. No pulls or judders. Mileage checks out. Service history and annual test sheets present.
The timing belt and waterpump was changed 5 years ago but it has only done 10k KMs since then. If I buy it, it would be safer to change the belt I suppose. The pump should be alright I reckon.

Any ideas ??

Unfit said:

^^^ Thanks . I brought it for a good drive. As tight as a nut. No pulls or judders. Mileage checks out. Service history and annual test sheets present.
The timing belt and waterpump was changed 5 years ago but it has only done 10k KMs since then. If I buy it, it would be safer to change the belt I suppose. The pump should be alright I reckon.

Any ideas ??

Click to expand...

Sounds good. Belt should be done I like to think of it as very cheap insurance against a very big bill. The water pump runs on the back of the timing belt but as you say 10k kms and a good service history probably not worth changing.