New buyer

[stever1000]

Hi
First post here, did some searching and didn't find what I was looking for...
I am interested in getting a LWD L400 high-roof, am I am wondering (when not properly maintained) the problems that arise?
The reason I ask is I am moving from the coast to the kootenays and so I will be far from the major Delica service shops. I have no problem doing oil changes, fluid changes, etc (regular maintenance) but if something else goes wrong, I am S.O.L. for parts and also for a mechanics help....
I would like one for it's interior space, 4wd, fuel efficiency (in relation to other large vans). I will be driving it daily, in rain, snow, and hot weather, camping and road trips as well.

Am I going to be fine being far away from a Delica service shop? I will repeat the fact that I have general mechanic skills, but I have never owned one of these, so my experience is limited if there is a major breakdown.

Suggestions? Comments?
I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if I lived in/around Vancouver, but considering I'll be a 10hr drive away...that's another story.

[BproofOG]

I live outside Whitehorse Yukon, many km's away from the good delica shops.

I found up here that there are many good diesel mechanics and suprisingly there are a few delicas (5... I think) and most of us take it to the same local shop.
Ask around see if there are any other delicas where you are, and when I bought mine I bought sapre parts as well.

[CREGAN]

Leaching the knowledge and expertise off this forum helps alot! Trust me, I know

There are several excellent sources of Delica related knowledge here on the forum that can help diagnose and fix many things. I have relied on them many times (That's you Jesse ) to help cure what is ailing my Delica.

I would have to say that if you are looking for a problem free, low maintenance vehicle- a Delica is not the one. She is a finicky old girl that may have been beaten with a newspaper once or twice, or abused in other ways. It takes time to get to know all of her little nuances. It has taken me a year and I still have little things to work on, but it is definately filling my need to tinker with stuff. There is always something to do on it- which can sometimes be fun and you learn some new stuff while you are at it.

Also be leary about mechanics and other shops. I am not sasying HATE them all, but just make sure they are being honest about their abilities to fix an older import. Sometimes they claim they know what they are doing but as the hours and parts add up you can get bent over pretty good. I have spent about $6000 in the last year with a few bad experiences. When you need to know-ask someone on here first before you say yes to thier repairs. I live 12 hours away from Van and have driven it there just to be fixed because it turned out that with the trip, fuel, and accomadation it was still much cheaper than a repair here. That was in the thousands cheaper, and done in Van by someone who knows what they are doing on a Delica.

For parts there are many Vendors out in Van that are very knowledgable and eager to sell you their stuff. From some of them you can get it very fast too. Spares wouldn't hurt but usually I can wait a day or two to have it expressed out.

That is all I have learnt in the past year. Hope it helps.

Craig

[stever1000]

Leaching the knowledge and expertise off this forum helps alot! Trust me, I know

There are several excellent sources of Delica related knowledge here on the forum that can help diagnose and fix many things. I have relied on them many times (That's you Jesse ) to help cure what is ailing my Delica.

I would have to say that if you are looking for a problem free, low maintenance vehicle- a Delica is not the one. She is a finicky old girl that may have been beaten with a newspaper once or twice, or abused in other ways. It takes time to get to know all of her little nuances. It has taken me a year and I still have little things to work on, but it is definately filling my need to tinker with stuff. There is always something to do on it- which can sometimes be fun and you learn some new stuff while you are at it.

Thanks for the great info
I realize these aren't brand new vehicles, but I am wondering what kind of problems are finicky with these vehicles? I'm fine with basic stuff like window not rolling down, water leaks, lights, etc. But not major problems that will take more than a day to fix.
What kind of problems did you have with yours?

[CREGAN]

Just make sure you get it inspected and repaired at a trusted local vancouver shop before you make the trek home. They will find the major issues (the big ones to fix) before you get it home. Here is a list of the more major things I have gotten repaired:
-Rebuilt injectors
-Rear sway bar links and bushings
-Front tie rod ends
-Front calipers, rotors and pads (alignment needed and repack of hubs when these are done)
-replace all seals on injection pump

Some of the easier ones that I am sure you can do if they are not done in the shop before you leave:
-adjust and eventually had to replace my TPS
-Change fluids (tranny, coolant, etc.)
-installed new glow plugs

Some of the things that are still lurking, but not that big of a deal:
-my ABS light came on a week after buying and has been on for a year now. I drive OK so ABS doesn't affect me.
-checking and resetting the TPS occasionally when you notice it shifting weird. Gets really easy after about the 20th time.

SO that is my experience in a nutshell. I would srongly recommend getting the full once over at a shop like CVI or somewhere delicas are specialized in. They will do all this stuff for you, or if you are like me and enjoy the odd bit of tinkering you will find it fun...sometimes Stuff always pops up but as you get more comfortable with the vehicle and get to know it, you will feel better about tackling some of the issues.

Oh yeah, and when it is brought in to Canada make sure your importer, or you if you are bringing it in, do the checklist of compliance issues. Lights, rad, overflow tank, etc. I think the list is on here somewhere.

Craig

[stever1000]

Just make sure you get it inspected and repaired at a trusted local vancouver shop before you make the trek home. They will find the major issues (the big ones to fix) before you get it home. Here is a list of the more major things I have gotten repaired:
-Rebuilt injectors
-Rear sway bar links and bushings
-Front tie rod ends
-Front calipers, rotors and pads (alignment needed and repack of hubs when these are done)
-replace all seals on injection pump

Some of the easier ones that I am sure you can do if they are not done in the shop before you leave:
-adjust and eventually had to replace my TPS
-Change fluids (tranny, coolant, etc.)
-installed new glow plugs

Some of the things that are still lurking, but not that big of a deal:
-my ABS light came on a week after buying and has been on for a year now. I drive OK so ABS doesn't affect me.
-checking and resetting the TPS occasionally when you notice it shifting weird. Gets really easy after about the 20th time.

SO that is my experience in a nutshell. I would srongly recommend getting the full once over at a shop like CVI or somewhere delicas are specialized in. They will do all this stuff for you, or if you are like me and enjoy the odd bit of tinkering you will find it fun...sometimes Stuff always pops up but as you get more comfortable with the vehicle and get to know it, you will feel better about tackling some of the issues.

Oh yeah, and when it is brought in to Canada make sure your importer, or you if you are bringing it in, do the checklist of compliance issues. Lights, rad, overflow tank, etc. I think the list is on here somewhere.

Craig

Thanks, that is very helpful and not too complicated or worrying at all. That all sounds like easily managed maintenance and repairs.