shakari Posted March 25, 2013 Report Share Posted March 25, 2013 (edited) I'm in the throes of changing our car & have been offered a nice looking diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited Edition with 90K kms on the clock that has the (Italian made?) VM engine.Internet research shows me very mixed reviews of these engines. some people hate 'em and say they're not very good whilst others say they're a good engine but need to have their fluids & filters changed on time.Does any of our members have any personal experience of these engines please? Edited March 25, 2013 by shakari Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellie Posted March 25, 2013 Report Share Posted March 25, 2013 hi,ive had the vm 2.5tds engine in my frontera for 11years [never let me down]just change the oil mate you wont go wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tis1979 Posted March 25, 2013 Report Share Posted March 25, 2013 hi,ive had the vm 2.5tds engine in my frontera for 11years [never let me down]just change the oil mate you wont go wrong Same here had a 2.5 TDS for years been great engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rimotu66 Posted March 26, 2013 Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 (edited) I thought the VM engines where made by Renault maybe not. Same as you though I have read mixed reviews about them, think a good service history is very important (as with most big diesels). Good luck I stand corrected http://www.vmmotori.it/en/01/00/index.jsp Edited March 26, 2013 by rimotu66 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty J Posted March 26, 2013 Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 If its a 2.5tds in a jeep be very careful as they are prone to overheating/blowing head gaskets. The same engine in the Frontera is bullet proof for some reason! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shakari Posted March 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 It's the 3.1 TD. I drove the car yesterday and was very impressed so have made them an offer ans we'll see what happens. All cars here come with a 12 month guarantee so I'll have a fair bit of protection if there are any problems anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted March 28, 2013 Report Share Posted March 28, 2013 If its a 2.5tds in a jeep be very careful as they are prone to overheating/blowing head gaskets. The same engine in the Frontera is bullet proof for some reason! I spent a long time in Cento in Italy trying to sort out an overheating problem with the rear head on RR Classic. It was designed for a boat engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsonicnat Posted March 28, 2013 Report Share Posted March 28, 2013 The VM engine was designed as a water Pump, it has 4 heads.. I know just done one, Prone to head gasket failure, not IF . When: The heads at the back go first, if they crack it is inside so you cannot see it, you have tp replace the heads, value today,,, about £160:00 per head: good thing is, they have gears not belts on the timing: Pull like an express train, if the No1 injector goes it will cost about £300:00 for it: it times the fuel injection for all cylinders, engine is run by computor, if it does go wrong you either get a Code reader or garage job.(Very Expensive) They only installed the VM in about 96/98 ,, then were given the heave-Ho. as not reliable.. jeep used them: as did some Fords, several anyway. I have one but would not be my choice if I had known what I was buying:: Vauxhall frontera have them, they drive very well, comfortable: But parts are Very,Very Expensive: Auxilury belt and tensioner about £500:00: enough said I think: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
move-mount-miss Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 I've bought and sold lots of them in the past with no engine problems. I have done a head gasket on one for a customer and vowed i wouldn't do another as they are not nice to do and you have to pay for 4 lots of pressure testing and 4 skims if the head survives. A year or two newer and you get the 2.7 5 cylinder Mercedes engine which is a good lump but not without it's faults. Also have a listen to the rear diff as they are not the strongest but are fixable. The heater needs to work as well as the flaps inside break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shakari Posted March 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 So far it drives like a dream but I have to say the heaters aren't quite as good as I'd have expected...... does that suggest the heater flaps need attention? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shakari Posted April 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 Ah. Cancel my criticism of the heaters........ I've just realised the air con is set up to come on automatically when the ignition is switched on! LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
move-mount-miss Posted April 2, 2013 Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 Lots of car for the money, hope you enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted April 2, 2013 Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 (edited) They are fitted to TX4 taxis and have a very bad reputation for crankshaft problems at around 125,000 miles. Search on the taxi forums. Must use proper oil and change regularly. That goes for most diesels these days. Edited April 2, 2013 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shakari Posted April 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 MMM Yes, it struck me as a lot of car for the money and so far I'm very impressed with it. Vince Proper fluid and filter changes are essential on all vehicles as you say but I've always been paranoid about that anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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