Hi all
Just purchased an ducato 2.8D 1999 motorhome. Driving it home I noticed that it looses nearly 20mph when on an incline, I know it’s a non turbo version but is this typical?

CharlieC said:

Hi all
Just purchased an ducato 2.8D 1999 motorhome. Driving it home I noticed that it looses nearly 20mph when on an incline, I know it’s a non turbo version but is this typical?

Click to expand...

Depends on the 'incline' but yes... not unusual

To put it into perspective..

Acceleration
From 40 to 60mph...
'Stopwatch..or Calendar'

If you cant see the speedo needle sweeping then its poor


My 2.5 atmospheric mechanical injection diesel was similar on hills.. but fair on the flat

It replaced something spectacularly poor..
A 'transit size' renault trafic...
With the full fit.out..AND a plastic (g.r.p.) pop.up roof

Nice van.. it had a 1.4 petrol engine..!!

You could wind it up to 80 on the M40

But any 'hill' was 2nd gear : 20mph

The 2.5 was twice the weight probably.. but would at least accelerate on the flat


You know how people complain bitterly when 'off boost'.. well thats all youve got

Does it use oil or water..?

Does it warm to middle of temp gauge ok ??

Charlie

CharlieC said:

Hi all
Just purchased an ducato 2.8D 1999 motorhome. Driving it home I noticed that it looses nearly 20mph when on an incline, I know it’s a non turbo version but is this typical?

Click to expand...

I think it is only 86BHP max so the BHP/TON ratio is likely to be nothing to get excited about.

rayc said:

I think it is only 86BHP max so the BHP/TON ratio is likely to be nothing to get excited about.

Click to expand...

Mine is only 128 BHP as new, for 5.2t max! I'm an excitable person, but it don't blow my skirt up!!

The engine in your van was about 85 horse power when new and torque around 133lb ft. Those are very low numbers. You are not going to get anywhere quickly espcially as motor homes tend to be heavy even "empty".

Good news is the engine is durable, so look after it , regular changes of fluids and filters and it will look after you.

Plus when you are in motor home you are on holiday so no rushing.

If you end up on a narrow road with a queue of faster traffic behind please pull over safely and let traffic pass.

I owned a small Talbot Express 2.5TD MH for many years. It was quite small, only about 5m long. It struggled in headwinds, and on prolonged gradients. A noticeable improvement to performance was obtained by having an intercooler fitted. Sadly TB Turbos who carried out the work, are now defunct.

Thank you guys, I’m particularly worried about on the flat, she sat at 65/70.
It’s the hills the hills, when trucks over take you up hill it’s a bit concerning.

That should say Not particularly worried. Lol

I can vouch for that being normal having been stuck behind a 2.5 NA on many occasions.

It's a old none common rail diesel so the performance is never going to be very good

CharlieC Vans are'nt very aerodynamic so windage plays a big part when you'r in the hills... How does it behave if you drop down a cog and keep the revs up?

CharlieC said:

Thank you guys, I’m particularly worried about on the flat, she sat at 65/70.
It’s the hills the hills, when trucks over take you up hill it’s a bit concerning.

Click to expand...

85bhp vs 1000

As I asked earlier... what is the motors mechanical condition like..??

CharlieC said:

Thank you guys, I’m particularly worried about on the flat, she sat at 65/70.
It’s the hills the hills, when trucks over take you up hill it’s a bit concerning.

Click to expand...

I could have added to my previous post, that when quite new my 2.5TD Talbot Express was overtaken on hills by large trucks. This was many years ago. I do not know the area, but if my memory serves correctly the M27 west bound round Southampton comes to mind.

Around 15years ago my mate changed jobs..

But was still a service tech.. with a company van full of tools and parts

Went from a Sprinter to a Transit

Slower..??
'I've lost a cylinder AND a turbo'

Its all down to your expectations

If I drop a cog she still won’t accelerate up hills but she won’t loose any more speed.

I guess she’s good mechanically , gonna give her a full service anyway. Including a gearbox oil change.

CharlieC said:

If I drop a cog she still won’t accelerate up hills .

Click to expand...

See previous post

It appears that 75% of us think this is normal..

You could spend £400 in a Bosch Service Centre getting the injection recalibrated.. for a 5%/10% improvement.. back to the full 80'odd bhp

Your call really