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treble20

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Apr 21, 2026
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Gloucester
Hello all. New owner of a 2005 Ducato 2.8 JTD here, or should I say the wife is! It's converted into a horsebox. Few niggles to check over and hopefully going to do the majority of the mechanicals myself (not too shabby with my other cars), so thought I'd join up to gain some knowledge.
 
Hello all. New owner of a 2005 Ducato 2.8 JTD here, or should I say the wife is! It's converted into a horsebox. Few niggles to check over and hopefully going to do the majority of the mechanicals myself (not too shabby with my other cars), so thought I'd join up to gain some knowledge.
Quite a few 2.8 owners on Forum.
One critical thing is do not ignore cam belt intervals as bends the con rods and destroys the engine.
Also look after the gearbox as starting to get scarce.
Good solid engine, not as economical as later 2.3s and 3 litre but more reliable, avoid over revving, lots of low down torque.
 
Thanks. Service history is a bit scarce to say the least, so belt change is top on the list. Gearbox was refurbed last year, along with a new clutch.

Had a 120mile trip home when we picked it up with zero issues. Parked it up for a few hours and couldn't start it again! Needed a jump - battery was replaced 2 years ago though so need to give it all a once over.

Also have a slight oil leak from the sump so going to replace the pan and gasket when I do the oil change.

Apart from a few little cosmetic issues (as expected being a horsebox) it seems pretty decent.
 
Thanks. Service history is a bit scarce to say the least, so belt change is top on the list. Gearbox was refurbed last year, along with a new clutch.

Had a 120mile trip home when we picked it up with zero issues. Parked it up for a few hours and couldn't start it again! Needed a jump - battery was replaced 2 years ago though so need to give it all a once over.

Also have a slight oil leak from the sump so going to replace the pan and gasket when I do the oil change.

Apart from a few little cosmetic issues (as expected being a horsebox) it seems pretty decent.
May not be the sump, unless it has been off as usually not an issue, check rear main area, oil seal behind flywheel. As long as engine breather OK and if leak not excessive it may be best to just monitor it.;)
All a little old these days so alternator diodes may cause a drain if on their way out, nothing different from many older vehicles. Soon test with a multimeter or battery condition meter.
Was it running when you went to buy it already or did you get to hear a cold start which I prefer, it gives an idea of engine compressions and heater /cold start system?
 
I'll get under it later and clean it up and have a good look.

It was cold when we collected. All sounded sweet - certainly a lot better than some of the other sheds we viewed!
 
I have Technical data including cam belt timing details if required. There is also details in the download section here on Forum I believe.
Long retired now but have rebuilt those engines in the past in Ducato but also Iveco Daily's which were my preference as being RWD much easier to work on.:)
 
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