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#Post#: 89083--------------------------------------------------
Original 2.25 diesel, save it or swap it?
DIR By: OldboyBob
Date: June 6, 2014, 3:48 pm
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Hi all, as the title would suggest my 2a has what may or not be
an original 2.25 diesel number 27117660F can anyone tell me if
this is the 3 or 5 bearing engine? Now the engine starts well
and sounds fantastic, ticks over really nice but there is smoke
on start up and if you rev it hard. What are the first things I
should be checking to try and cure the smoke? If I can I would
like to save the engine but certainly don't fancy throwing my
money down the toilet either and was wondering whether to get a
tdi in it rather than chuck money at a useless old lump.
Reliability is the main thing I am looking for, this 2a has
stood for 7 years and literally burst into life with a new
battery and not much more. Are these engines worth saving or are
they best replaced? All advice greatly appreciated.
#Post#: 89085--------------------------------------------------
Re: Original 2.25 diesel, save it or swap it?
DIR By: quattrofoto
Date: June 6, 2014, 4:02 pm
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It all depends on what you want from it. A lot of folk will tell
you the 2.25 diesel is rubbish and you should ditch it. They're
slow, smokey even when in perfect condition and a bit thirsty in
comparison to more modern diesels.
But - looked after a good 2.25 will look after you too, they are
reliable with a bit of fettling to begin with. Mine has had it's
fair share of hard ship. It was unloved and neglected for
decades and severely abused before that. I've had it open to the
elements on my drive for a good couple of years before I managed
to get the bodywork back on. It had seized in that time, but a
bit of redex mixed with GT85 down the injector holes, left over
night and then turned gently by hand (with a stubby spanner!)
and it turned freely then fired on the button. The timing is off
still and I have gearbox issues but it's just done a total of
660 miles without skipping a beat after not moving in all those
years.
If you can live with what some call the downsides then it will
reward you.
Also, it's actually really easy to tell a 3 from a 5 bearing.
Take a look at the side of the crankcase (manifold side is
easiest probably) and if the engine is a red/bronze colour under
the decades of gunk and if you see what look like ribbing then
it is a five. If the side of the crankcase is smooth with no
ribbing and it is a greenish colour (I think) then it's a three
(in reality it could be any colour. Depends if any previous
owner painted it!) If it is a five, don't get all excited over
your extra six or eight horse power! (or whatever the figure
is...)
#Post#: 89090--------------------------------------------------
Re: Original 2.25 diesel, save it or swap it?
DIR By: Hairyvike
Date: June 6, 2014, 5:39 pm
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...they're not bad engines...but I've just replaced mine with a
200di as the "screaming" 2 1/4 diesel engine at anything over 35
mph was making my ears bleed... rofl
.....edited to add that the smoking you describe is perfectly
normal for an old 2 1/4....they all smoke when cold and when
revved hard :thumbs:
#Post#: 89091--------------------------------------------------
Re: Original 2.25 diesel, save it or swap it?
DIR By: Wooden
Date: June 6, 2014, 6:08 pm
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2.25 diesel is a cracking power unit in an 88", and sweet as a
nut.
60mph was a doddle on the flat with o/d (I say "was" as I had to
sell it :().
Poorly maintained and poorly set-up 2.25d engines account for
most of the horror stories you hear, and a tdi (while fast in
itself) is no panacea.
I confidently predict that, although they are currently the
engine of the moment, the 200tdi will be universally condemned
as a "useless old lump" long before the 2.25 is ever ascribed
such a moniker.
:thumbs:
#Post#: 89099--------------------------------------------------
Re: Original 2.25 diesel, save it or swap it?
DIR By: Arjan
Date: June 7, 2014, 12:48 am
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Yes - the 2.25 diesels are fine engines when you accept that
they are from a different time and should be treated like such.
Well set up they just go and go.
As so many are scrapped, they are becoming thin on the ground
and well worth preserving :thumbs:
#Post#: 89104--------------------------------------------------
Re: Original 2.25 diesel, save it or swap it?
DIR By: tonyg
Date: June 7, 2014, 2:49 am
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Im with Arjan on this too.^^^^^^^^^^
I was all geared up to tdi mine (unmolested 88" station wagon)
but thankfully had a change of heart.
The 2.25 is simplicity in itself. Its a period engine in a
period vehicle. If you want a motorway cruiser then tdi will def
give you a bit more get up and go, and better mpg..... but your
other period items (gearbox, diffs, brakes etc) will begin to
suffer. Choice is yours though..........
Tony
#Post#: 89113--------------------------------------------------
Re: Original 2.25 diesel, save it or swap it?
DIR By: Albert Ross
Date: June 7, 2014, 4:19 am
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I'm gathering discarded 2286D units for a strategic reserve of
parts to help in the future. All verifiable by people on here.
If you are disposing of it...... yes please!! (Although I will
point out that most of my stuff comes as gifts and donations) :)
#Post#: 89149--------------------------------------------------
Re: Original 2.25 diesel, save it or swap it?
DIR By: OldboyBob
Date: June 7, 2014, 1:39 pm
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Thanks a lot for all your replies and information, I will
definitely be sticking with the old lump for now, will treat her
to a full service and see how she fares. Has anyone here done
this glow plug upgrade I have read about? and is it worth doing?
Thanks again!
#Post#: 89154--------------------------------------------------
Re: Original 2.25 diesel, save it or swap it?
DIR By: Wooden
Date: June 7, 2014, 2:57 pm
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^^^ If it's the glow-plug upgrade that I think you mean, then it
has t be worth doing for no other reason than if a plug fails
(with the upgrade) you can at least limp home on three
cylinders. The standard set-up are wired in series, so if one
goes, they all go. A bit like Christmas tree lights in the
1970s..! The upgrade are wired in paralalaralel. The modern
plugs are apparently a little more efficient too.
Good move on keeping the original lump IMHO; they're great
little load-luggers; quirky, and with bags of character.
:thumbs:
#Post#: 89173--------------------------------------------------
Re: Original 2.25 diesel, save it or swap it?
DIR By: Albert Ross
Date: June 7, 2014, 5:13 pm
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It's not a limp home thing... once the engine is warm (10-15
seconds or so) it's on 4 cylinders. I do it to mine. Makes life
easier.
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