Ducato 2.3 180 v “old” 3 litre 180. Opinions? (1 Viewer)

[BillandHelen]

Our new van has now completed 4000 miles and is loosening up nicely. We had been a bit worried whether the new engine could be as good as the old, more cc’s the better and chain not belt driven etc.

However, we have been really pleasantly surprised, it’s quieter and smoother and seems to have as much pulling power, even on weekend trips we are running at 3800kg, and returning c 27mpg, not too bad for a newish engine.

Only slight fly in the ointment is that it seems to be using some oil, no leaks, but the dashboard indicator varies between 4 and 3 bars, have checked the dipstick but the oil is so clean and new it’s difficult to see! Will get the garage to check when it’s in being checked for the recalls.

Wondered how others were finding theirs?

Bill

 

[Ivory55]

I think you will find it’s common with new motors to use oil to start with, the oil now days is so thin.

 

[BillandHelen]

Probably why I can’t even see the oil on the dipstick properly!!

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[Augusta08]

My only concern would be the expense of replacing the cam belt, it's fiendishly complex in the layout and tensioning.

My son is a diesel engine development engineer at Perkins Cat and considers the cam-belt option risky with an erratic duty-cycle inherent with camping cars (periods of no/low use).



This may be just the rather conservative approach of a engineer....

 

[dave newell]

My only concern would be the expense of replacing the cam belt, it's fiendishly complex in the layout and tensioning.

My son is a diesel engine development engineer at Perkins Cat and considers the cam-belt option risky with an erratic duty-cycle inherent with camping cars (periods of no/low use).



This may be just the rather conservative approach of a engineer....

Not sure what engine that cam belt setup is from but it's not a 2.3 Ducato motor.

D.

 

[martin2603]

Having just made the same change I was somewhat apprehensive. Up to 1500miles it seemed very underpowered and was really hard work. Having just passed 3k miles it is definitely performing better. Revs need to be above 2k rpm to keep it in the better power band . We returned from Cornwall on Saturday and it performed well . The MH is 5ton on tag axle but running about 4.5 ton while towing an I 10 Hyuandi . It was retuning 23.5 on the computer which is slightly less than the 3 litre. We passed over the Sheppy Bridge only dropping one gear maintaining 55mph which was encouraging . Get a few more miles on with a trip to the winter sun and We will have a better picture.

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[Abacist]

My 3 liter at 2000 rpm equates to about 65 mph on the flat.

 

[Lenny HB]

Take the dash oil gauge with a pinch of salt on our 150 it can read anything from one bar to 5 bars if the van is not dead flat.