The Adventure Begins?

[VirtualJJ]

Thanks, All,

I have had many doubts about getting one of these Delicas, but the helpfulness and information provided by this community has been absolutely invaluable.

Thanks again, and I'll keep up the search!

-JJ

[Erebus]

Low mileage isn't by itself a deterrent in my mind. Depends on whether it sat for a few long times, or many short times.

Mine had only 24,000 km when I got it. No evidence of anything drying out, it appeared to be in showroom condition. The only significant work I've done since was injection pump rebuild because it started leaking almost 2 years after I got it. And IP leaks aren't unusual. Putting engine oil leak stop treatment into the fuel really reduced the leaking, but I had CVI rebuild it anyway.

Obviously I paid more for my 24k Delica than others paid for their 100k ones, but don't be scared off by mileage alone (either high OR low).

[loki]

Low mileage isn't by itself a deterrent in my mind. Depends on whether it sat for a few long times, or many short times.

Mine had only 24,000 km when I got it. No evidence of anything drying out, it appeared to be in showroom condition. The only significant work I've done since was injection pump rebuild because it started leaking almost 2 years after I got it. And IP leaks aren't unusual. Putting engine oil leak stop treatment into the fuel really reduced the leaking, but I had CVI rebuild it anyway.

Obviously I paid more for my 24k Delica than others paid for their 100k ones, but don't be scared off by mileage alone (either high OR low).

agreed, I just see so many people starting out looking and wanted really low KM for a 15 year old vehicle because they don't really have all the information, if it's really low KM be extra sure to inspect the engine as things may have dried up, also many first time deli shoppers are also new to diesels and don't know that diesel engines have a much longer life expectancy than petrol engines. and just an FYI I also brought this up every time I saw things like this long before I even considered selling my van.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Agreed. It doesn't matter how well built something is ~ rubber is still rubber ~ and it has a shelf life/life expectancy. Although Loki reckons the life of the engine is 500,000 kilometres, I think with the correct maintenance they will last much longer ~ and even then they can be rebuilt. For instance; the cylinders have replaceable sleeves. The benefit of a high kilometre engine is that it has been broken in. Many of these low kilometre engines are not properly broken in and one must drive accordingly. Another thing that I have noticed in my experiences is that many people who pick up a Delica, having spent their entire lives driving gasoline cars ~ drive the Delica as if it were a gasoline fuelled car, when it ought to be driven as a diesel truck, IMO.

Falco.

[loki]

Agreed. It doesn't matter how well built something is ~ rubber is still rubber ~ and it has a shelf life/life expectancy. Although Loki reckons the life of the engine is 500,000 kilometres, I think with the correct maintenance they will last much longer ~ and even then they can be rebuilt. For instance; the cylinders have replaceable sleeves. The benefit of a high kilometre engine is that it has been broken in. Many of these low kilometre engines are not properly broken in and one must drive accordingly. Another thing that I have noticed in my experiences is that many people who pick up a Delica, having spent their entire lives driving gasoline cars ~ drive the Delica as if it were a gasoline fuelled car, when it ought to be driven as a diesel truck, IMO.

Falco.

I just use 500K as an average, I too believe that these engines will go much longer if treated right.