Diesel versus Gasoline Delicas

[khnatiuk]

Apologies if this has been dealt with in other threads. If so, please delete and share link. :)

Being a Delica N00b, I got excited when I saw that the majority of Delicas are Diesel. Particularly the L400 Turbo Diesel models got me interested.

As I talk to folks it appears that Diesel Delicas don't necessarily mean "fuel efficient" Delicas. Further, it appears that the Diesels have difficulty starting in anything under -5 degrees Celsius unless plugged in, oil pan heater added, kept in garage, etc.

The Gasoline powered V6 sounds like it would be an attractive option and a little more robust in a cold winter climate like Winnipeg, MB.

Obviously there are a great deal of passionate Delica owners on the Board here and I suspect there isn't one easy answer whether to look for a Diesel or Gasoline model. But I'd appreciate any comments and/or experiences on either related to fuel efficiency, power, cold starts, etc.

Kevin

[thedjjack]

LazygreenFox has a gas L400 I would ask him how he likes it (I have tried, but I can never catch him in my Diesel L300 )

[CREGAN]

Fuel economy is not stellar, kind of average on a diesel (450 - 500km per tank). Mine has never been parked in my garage as it doesn't fit! I have had no problems since changing my Glow-plugs and plugging the van in in cold temperatures. By cold I mean cold like us prairie people are used to, -30 to -35. My favorite feature so far though has been the 4H. It rules for crusin around in crappy weather.

Craig

[psilosin]

It is easier to install a flux capacitor on the diesel which is a big plus. Also the diesel L400 gets pretty good mileage considering the size and 4wd drivetrain...the gas model gets a lot worse.

[Feds]

I don't have any experience with gas delicas, but I got into my LWB L400 after driving a '98 Pathfinder with the 3.0 V6. The pathfinder averaged 15 mpg, the Delica is doing 21. Considering the additional size, weight, etc. I'd say you'll be hard pressed to beat the mileage with the gas motor.

And I think the starting issues boil down to maintenance. All of the threads seem to end wit "Now that my fuel system is clean and my glow plugs work, it starts fine"

[tonydca]

Rumour has it that the 3L V6 is a bit needy in the maintenance TLC department.

I can't comment on starting at -35degC, but as earlier commented: good IP seals, clear fuel/air filters, good glow plugs and associated wires, and decent compression and it can't *not* run, really. Especially if you use good thin synthetic oil and appropriate tranny fluid..

Others can chime in and shoot me down; maybe I just got lucky with mine. But it treats me like a good workhorse. Feed it good and give it what little else it needs and it just chugs along with very little complaints.

[nxski]

The V6 engine had a recall on it because of the crankshaft pulley belt. I had the same engine in my Mighty Max and that problem alone destroyed my engine. The engine was available in a lot of NA vehicles so you would think it's easy to service but there are slight differences between vehicles that make finding the correct part a royal pain in the a$$ (I had to shell out $750 for a radiator and it took 2 weeks to arrive and there were only 2 available in North America according to the 3 shops I took it to). I've been hearing good things about the 2.4L gas but I'm not sure what fuel economy is like. I find my Delica very fuel efficient compared to gas vehicles. It gets about 9L/100km while the V6 Mighty Max got 14L/100km

[thelazygreenfox]

My 2.4 liter gasser space gear lacks nothing the diesels have. Without starting a long drawn out argument gas vs diesel, I've owned both and found both okay. An L300 diesel and L400 2.4 gasser.
L400 drivetrains and fuel mileages are similar, weights are similar but the gas engines heat up faster and for winter driving are better for that reason alone. I'd preheat both in manitoba winters.

My L400 gasser will cruise at 160 km/hr and I'm sure the 2.8 diesel will too.

Gassers are cheaper to buy and more plentiful in Japan for that reason. Visually there's no hood scoop on the gasser but no owners at one daytime delica meet even noticed.

Top end delicas (royal) I believe aren't offered in gas engines. Verify that yourself but it's only a snobbery point to me. I never buy top of the line.

Someone said diesels have better fuel mileage in 4 wheel drive but I found that hard to believe.

I'm sure a few others will chime in here in defence of diesel but enjoy whichever you buy.

Wayne
TLGF

2012 update-My 2.4 litre engine is a 16 valve engine, revs to 6K but I wish it had a turbo. Goofy Golfcart says I drive it like an old man, Butch just reset my transmission cuz I drive it too easy and said keep it out of O/D in town. The shift point is higher now and much nicer to drive. Great little engine!! On a good day I get 600Kms to a tank, on a bad day less. Who's complaining? Not me.

[jessef]

Wayne's right. From the driving, interior and exterior perspective, they are nearly identical.

I prefer diesel because I run wvo and the mechanical advantage of the timing chain and little maintenance interval compared to the gasser BUT there is a huge difference in cost.

See three examples below sold at auction for less than 100,000 JPY.

The shiny lifted black one sold for 63,000JPY = $813 CDN

Any of those three would have cost you 320,000 landed (100,000 car/100,000 fee/120,000 freight)= $4,100 CDN

You're looking around 1/2 the price to import one yourself.

The private/dealers selling them here for 9-11k are making some good coin on the V6's.

Wait a few months and you can nab a 2nd gen one with a mild facelift. (november 1997 - onwards)

[aclarker]

I own a 1994 V6 Gasser. It is a great machine. I keep up on all the maintenance. A couple of weeks ago we had some -40 temperatures in Calgary and I had no problems starting. It was plugged in.

Gas consumption is an issue. Not good at all. On a $50 fill I get 320kms in the cold. Much better in the summer.

Tonnes of power and fun to drive.

Cheers,
Clarke

[tonydca]

My L400 gasser will cruise at 160 km/hr and I'm sure the 2.8 diesel will too.

Nope Nopety-nope-nope!

Mine is happy all the way up to 130. Beyond that, you're beginning to ask a lot.

I had it up to 150 once, and once is enough.

I have resigned myself to winning no drag races just having polite fun with US Tacoma owners instead

[jessef]

Question is where in the deuce are you 'cruising' at 160 km/hr ?!?!

Anything over 120 in an L400 is not really the most, shall we say, responsible.

Cruising down the I5 at 120-130 is plenty to keep your sphincter puckered.

[glenn]

L400 V6 3.0 Litre. There are some awesome deals on these. I've been cruising various forums, and I haven't seen much in the way of alarm bells. I understand that a gas engine requires more upkeep than a diesel, but nothing seems that off putting. Heck, our diesels are incredibly prone to head cracks, yet this seems to be an acceptable risk.

I was talking to one of the popular dealers in the delica community, and I was told to stay away from the V6's, for a variety of reasons. Other than a preference of diesel over gas - does anyone know a good reason to stay away from these gassers?

[tonydca]

The 2.4L gasser would put the least stress on the drivetrain, as it has less power than the V6 and less torque than the V6 or the 2.8TD. So those parts should last longer. Engine reliability comparisons aside, I think that'd make a nice compromise for around town driving. Peppy, but decent on gas.

Gas engines would be less fun offroad I'm thinking; all that diesel torque down low is nice on the steeper bits.

Still - 195 HP suuuure would be fun! Whoooooweee!! But nothing comes for nothing these days...

You'd be able to pass everything except a gas station

[thelazygreenfox]

Personally I wouldn't buy another gas Delica. Many reasons but mainly cuz not many 2.4s are coming out of Japan these days, don't know why. The auctions show a few but all with higher milage than I want.

Lots of 3.0 litre gassers but they seemed to be disliked by many. There's no accounting for taste. Ha Ha

Gassers are sturdy engines, just like all delica engines. I've posted this before but air & oil filters and oil are a fraction of the cost of diesel parts. No IP problems, similar fuel mileage and cheaper fuel makes gas engines a good choice.

I won't continue except to say please don't buy a gasser, at least not till after I've purchased my next one.

Take care
TLGF