General Buying a Ducato

[paulg]

Hi Guys.I have owned a few fiats over the years (Marea,ducato 1.9,Barchetta),and have been offered a Ducato van. There are a few things I would like opinions on,so I thought I would ask the experts..But they weren't there,so I'll ask you lot.
1.The clutch biting point is quite near the floor (ok?).
2.The steering seems very light (compared to my Transit)
3.It has a simple 2.8d badge,it is a year 2000,but having not checked out the log book yet,could anyone tell me what engine this is likely to be..ie. turbo,non turbo,jtd, etc?
4.It is a high roof,long wheel base,and I am driving rural roads with very little traffic.Could anyone give me any idea of fuel consumption,and cruising motorway speed.(unloaded and light footed)?
5.Cambelt changed 36'000 miles ago,when is the next due?
6.Are there any specific problems to look out for,or things to check?
I know some of these questions are a bit vague,but I am sure someone has a similar van and can give me some ideas.
Thanks in advance.
Paul

 

[ponsaloti]

1. maybe badly adjusted or may have been adjusted to hide a pressure plate problem.
Drive the van 20mph, rev engine and put it in 5th gear, listen for the clutch slipping.
2. Steering on these are light.
3. This will be none turbo.
4. Mine did 25mpg in all driving conditions.
5. Dont know.
6. These suffer with gear box (syncro) and gear linkage wear.
Drive it when hot, go up and done the gears .

Worked mine for 3 years, only problem I had was g-box.
good luck

 

[paulg]

Thanks for that info.I would probably change the cambelt anyway.
The van is cheap (for here in France,anyway!) so I will give it a go.
Paul