I recently bought a 1988 2.5 diesel transit. Torque is good low down but it lacks any real power at the top end.

On a motorway drive it drops to 50mph going up hills and hits 70 going down them but wont go any faster, and thats empty.

I would've expected it to be a bit better than this.

I suspect initially a dirty fuel filter or maybe some moisture in the diesel but the exhaust is not smokey, black or white, starts well from cold, and has only done a reputed 124K.

It does seem a bit fumey though.

Can any diesel experts point me in the right direction?

my work transit is like that only showing 75 k is a guttless wonder changed all filters checked and changed cambelt its poo and thats with out compressor and two truck wheels in the back

a 1988 one will be the earlier engine which never was very quick, but then it should do better than that.

Mileage does sound suspiciously low, these engines will do 300,000+ with no problems other than general servicing/new injectors.

If there is no black smoke then that may point towards you fuel filter suspicion, as all transits will smoke black when you give them a bootful.

I do think the milage is correct, it is a 4x4 county and I've only ever seen these used by the railway and forrestry commisions and never really hammering it up and down motorways.

Next question is will a newer Turbo diesel fit the gearbox? I assume it will have the same fixing holes as a normal tranny gearbox. 50mph on hills is pants.

is it a permanent 4x4??

You may have just answered your question there, they have much more drag and a shedload more weight to drag about, we used to have one at the farm and it was slow!

Early turbo engine or later "banana" turbo engine?

No its normally rwd and 4x4 is only for loose ground, no tarmac or paved surfaces.

Front wheels are the free hub types so I'd expect the friction from the 4wd to be low when used on the road.

It does have a bit more weight, about a foot higher than normal off the road and no aerodynamics but I'd still have expected it to cruise at 70 unloaded. Yes maybe slower with cargo or a trailer.

I don't care which engine really, just any with more power. A fiesta engine or even my electric hedge trimmer.

It seems to lose power when you put the pedal right to the floor, if you lift the pedal slightly you get a bit more oomph. Well when I say more oomph I mean an extra 1 maybe 2 mph.

Sounds spot on for a 4x4 Transit. Bet the fuel economy is rubbish too, not the recommended vehicle for any sort of motorway use. A later engine will fit, but do not expect a vaste improvement in either speed or fuel use.

My transit was real guttless till i tweeked the fuel pump up and it flew up hills after, its still a slow old beast

Cheers Guys, getting about 26 to 27mpg, about what I expected. Main use is going to be towing and moving stuff short distances. Will take it to a specialist and see if he can tweek it. Not asking much, just a constant 70mph on the motorway hills.

i've hired transit box's before .....

The only way i was able to maintain any speed on the flat / up a hill was to tailgate a lorry. Seriously, the fastest i got was 70 downhill.

Sure this was the non turbo version which is prob the same as what you've got.

non turbo transit hitop lwb, unladen, 1993 so banana engine (a whopping 90 hp) used to hold a steady 85 to 90 mph on the flat and 70 up hills with a car trailer and rally car on........................

Heh we have a 125 transit and it can go like poo off a shovel 80mph plus with the trailer and car on it (oops) trouble is you forget the trailers there as its so torquey.

if you tweek the pump timing and take out the emissions pipe on the exhaust manifold you should get 90 mph fully laden with trailer

quote:

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Originally posted by NS Dev
non turbo transit hitop lwb, unladen, 1993 so banana engine (a whopping 90 hp) used to hold a steady 85 to 90 mph on the flat and 70 up hills with a car trailer and rally car on........................

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Don't know why they're called "banana" but believe me they don't need coaxing to get to that speed.
I reckon this engine in a mondildo would be awesome and probably as fast to 100mph as an st

Also quite economical. Our one with 6 on board and trailer and car and fluids and tools and spare tyres and etc and etc

300miles and still 1/4 tank left.

[Edited on 3/10/05 by omega 24 v6]

Inlet manifold shape.


Banana engine.

thanks!

I have a 2.5 banana engine in a Metrocab and it used to do 90 no problem but recently it has been very poor on hills. Had new fuel pump fitted and it is now even worse.