turbo diesel mq

[esp22]

Hi,i am looking at buying a lwb MQ. Is there anythign i have to check for whe taking it for a test drive?It has 410,000kms so will the engine require a rebuiled. It is a TD33 engine!

Thanks

[Shark]

Hey bud, i really think you should look at the MQ bible.. Its got all the answers you could possibly need... As for the kms.... just depends on what ur willing to spend, you get what u pay for... Could keep going for another 10 years and cost u nothing.....or not:)


Shark

[Dan_MQ]

mq diesels run for a long time mate......the motor is still runnin in. just hope it hasnt been thrashed

[Sterlo]

I wouldnt say it needs a rebuild at that klms, before buy it, take oil filler cap off at hot adle and check how much blow-by there is. I asume its a MQ non turbo with a turbo fitted??? putting a turbo on a non turbo SD wont shorten its life as they are the same engine, (some will argue the point) yes minor internal changes were made. A compresson and oil pressure test would be the 2 best things that could be done before purchase. SD are known for cracking heads also.

sterlo

[Snarba]

are you sure it's an MQ ? they have round head lights and a 24Volt electrical system. Also the motor would be the SD33. The MK has rectangular headlights and the SD33 or SD33T with factory turbo. Just look for the usual stuff, oil leaks around motor or gearbox/ transfer, swivel hubs and rear brake slave cylinders ( is it leaking brake fluid ? ) They are prone to rust on the firewall and down the sides of the radiator supports ( no dramas but worth checking ) Another thing to check is the bushes in your leafsprings, easy to check just by looking. They are great old beasts though and will run to the last breath, no fancy electricals to worry about ! let me know if you need to know more

[Vanne]

heh, yep, just running in..

yeah, rust is realy the only thing to check really well... radiator mounts...gutters, rear quaters... and middle of the firewall at the top where the bonnet meets...

great old busses.. love mine.. brakes... check em, the master cyclinder is prone to leak, but easy enough to replace about 50 bucks for parts..

also, if its got power steering.. the high px line is prone to shagg itself, nut once again, its only about 100 bucks from a wreaker..

Diffs.... check them... make sure thier straight.. esp the front if its been given a rough life.. You should be able to check thjis during test drive, if it pulls massively to one side, get out and check visually if the tires line up.. ie camber wise.

also good to check the wear on the tires inside and out as the MQ/MK you cannot adjust the camber...

all the other crap is easy to fix... dont buy one of these if you cant swing a spanner youself...

sides that