Hi
Going for a look at one of these tomorrow. It's done 110k. I'm already the proud owner of a Stilo 1.4 three door with nearly 130k so sort of know what I'm looking at, but this one is a wee bit different given the diesel engine and estate body and wondered if anyone has any particular pointers on this variant?
Cheers

tessiedog said:

Hi
Going for a look at one of these tomorrow. It's done 110k. I'm already the proud owner of a Stilo 1.4 three door with nearly 130k so sort of know what I'm looking at, but this one is a wee bit different given the diesel engine and estate body and wondered if anyone has any particular pointers on this variant?
Cheers

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The JTD engines are more or less bulletproof mate. They got fitted to just about anything worth talking about back in the day and the motor was on the go until just a few short years ago.

The 16v variant is the one to want although much less common in the Stilo, so you're likely looking at one of the earlier 8v motors. Still a good strong motor offering up around 110bhp.

For the most part the motor will just keep going and going regardless. The mileage you're talking is nothing.

Just keep the basics in mind as obviously it's a turbo motor, so you want to be assured the turbo isn't singing out too loudly. You may get some turbo whilst but if it's got a continued high pitch audible whale to it, the turbo is going. Likewise if it's smoking a lot of light coloured smoke, then it's burning up some oil which could indicate turbo bearings.

The more likely thing to find is a boost leak. The hoses are silicone so will get caught and pop or split over time. A small leak the car will still run with, just give out quite a bit of black smoke. A big leak she will start to chug.

You can try looking for leaks as it'll deposit a black sooty gooey mess wherever it is leaking from - or you're more likely to hear it. If you drive in a higher gear and stick your foot hard down from low revs - listen to see if it's hissing really rather loudly - like you've got a proper pissed off bag of snakes under the bonnet. If it's hissing you've probably got a small boost leak.

The intercoolers sit in the passenger side wing and can get holed if they take a good shot from a stone or something. It's not common but I've personally had it happen. Just be mindful of it.

Otherwise the only thing to look out for is a sloppy gear selector. They have little black plastic bushes in the selector pin on top of the gearbox - these wear and stop the gear stick from centering on left to right movement. It's a less than £5 fix but great bargaining tool if the seller don't know better.

Otherwise do the normal, check all the keys work, check windows go up and down and check the AC works hot and cold.

The JTDs are a good car!

It's possibly worth mentioning the EGR valve too.

They're largely reliable but if you get stuck open - as the can gum up with soot and sludge - you'll notice a distinct lack of bottom end power and the turbo suddenly hit you like a train at about 2,500rpm.

If it does that - the EGR valve is stuck open.

The actuator (electric solenoid) and valve body just bolt together so you can easy remove it from the car (4 bolts and 2 bolts) to clean it up and it'll be just fine with a bit of carb cleaner.

In rarer cases the actuator fails but this is rare. MultiECUScan should be able to do an actuator test for this so you can test if it works or not.

You can also fit a restrictor plate on it to limit the flow of exhaust gases back into the engine without it throwing up any errors.

From my own experience with my estate the jtd engine is rock solid typically.
I personally would go for 8v always. More low down torque and less errors.
Possibly egr errors etc. Check for any unusual noises dipping clutch and make sure it's not slipping.
Suspension is the pain area. Go I've some bumps, if skittish and bangs quite hard on the rear it's suggested o be rear bushes. I'm going to have a go at mine over the next week but understand it's not an easy diy task.

Front suspension, springs can and go fail. Knocks can be usual drop links.

Check boot and bonnet gas struts hold the weight.

Otherwise ours has been a trooper. Abit for refinement with the suspension and can't see us ever getting rid of her.

Thanks Artermis
That's really helpful. Given what you say about these motors, this one sounds like a good bet for £250... but I'll keep an open mind until I see (and hear) it!
Cheers mate, much appreciate the reply.

coupedummy said:

From my own experience with my estate the jtd engine is rock solid typically.
I personally would go for 8v always. More low down torque and less errors.
Possibly egr errors etc. Check for any unusual noises dipping clutch and make sure it's not slipping.
Suspension is the pain area. Go I've some bumps, if skittish and bangs quite hard on the rear it's suggested o be rear bushes. I'm going to have a go at mine over the next week but understand it's not an easy diy task.

Front suspension, springs can and go fail. Knocks can be usual drop links.

Check boot and bonnet gas struts hold the weight.

Otherwise ours has been a trooper. Abit for refinement with the suspension and can't see us ever getting rid of her.

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Thanks man, will bear these in mind. But encouraging to see you using phrases like "rock solid" "trooper" and "can't see us ever getting rid of her"....!!

......looks like it must have been a good un - the ad disappeared from Gumtree (with the contact number!) after about 12 hours....and the seller's not responding to emails....

tessiedog said:

......looks like it must have been a good un - the ad disappeared from Gumtree (with the contact number!) after about 12 hours....and the seller's not responding to emails....

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shame.. but they are still a good cheap estate if that's what you need.

I got the Marea JTD for the same reason.. cheap and dependable

Shame but there are enough of them out there if that's what you're after. Keep looking and don't be disheartened.