The mighty Jack - or not?

I have a 84 Jackeroo with a 2l 4 cyl motor. Its the original motor and has now done over 309,000 klms.

No smoke or any major probs other than a slight oil leak.......possibly out of the fuel pump area........but at this stage so small its not worth worryin about.

I am not the original owner but via the owners manual have been able to trace it and also to follow all the services up to about 2 years ago.

I am amazed that each of the owners of this vehicle have all taken the time to write them up each time.

Im also not really keen on anything with a computer in it as it means that Im probably not gunna be able to do much if it breaks down........whereas Im fairly able to fix most probs bush mechanics wise for any non computerised motor.

Reason I bring this up is because I am currently deciding what to replace the old motor with and am tossing between a 3.8l commy motor or an old straight 6.

Hope that gives you an insight into what my old girl has done but remember that a lot depends on how it has been cared for and driven when trying to compare.

Good luck.

If you are happy with it - keep it. Keep it well serviced and add long range tanks and you should be okay. Don't sell it on the assumption that you might do something in the future.

I find the availability of both ULP and Diesel to be very good. Autogas - no. So make your switch to diesel on fuel consumption, low end torque, especially for towing.
I carry a 22 l jerry can of diesel and have used it a couple of times because, basically, I forgot to fill up.
Long range tanks are fine but they cost, add extra weight and if you're anything like me you let the reserve tank go empty anyway. Long range tanks also allow you to avoid paying very high prices for fuel if you can go just that bit further but I wonder about the true economics of this for the amount of times you need to do this vs little bit extra you pay for fuel.
Just my thoughts.....

Hey Rob
Sometimes better the devil you know. If everyting is going great and you have it serviced regularly, get the once over before you go, carry some spares, probably no need to swap it over, unless you want more torque than a diesel 4WD would be an advantage.
At least you know the history with your current 4WD
Have a great trip.
Adam

If you like it, keep it until you don't like it ! Its false economy IMO to get rid of it just coz its getting on a bit - it'll cost you heaps for something else in a more popular make - the Jack has probably hit the bottom of it's steep depreciation curve and the value should decline gracefully now.....posts here suggest a well-maintained 99 version of any mainstream fourbie would be no more or less reliable (but cheaper to run probably) than any thing new ! ......... I have a 99 TD SE. Onya.

Hiya Rob.
I have a 96 Roo, great car except for one thing. . . . .Holden don't make parts for the gearbox anymore! (Not sure what else!!) I had transfer bearing failure and as a result I now have a Toyota Hilux selector lever for high and low range. I was most disheartened to find this out and it almost made me get rid of the car. Who would have thought after all the S%#T canning I give to Hiluxes I have to have part of one in my Holden???

Thanks for the responses. Hmmm, so everyone thinks I should keep it.

If I do, are there particular maintenance issues for a 200,000 km, 3.5 petrol Jack that I should look out for? Are there inherent weaknesses that I don't know about?

Also, certain things will need to be added for extended touring - cargo barrier, bull bar, shockers. Any ideas/experience on brands and prices for these, and what other aftermarket gear is necessary for a Jack?

Thanks again,
Rob.

Rob,

Inherent weaknesses are zilch. They are a very good unit.

There have been some manufacturing faults in early 3.5 motors that if you haven't come across them yet at 170,000kms, you probably never will. Nearly all of these faults have only showed up in the US (go figure that one) with only the oil burn issue being seen here in any sort of numbers.

1. Leaky inlet manifold - will manifest itself as rough idle accompanied by a hissing noise.
2. Seized no 1 piston - this one really seems to be a US only thing, not sure why. Haven't heard of it in Australia.
3. Some have a high rate of oil consumption - a friend of mine has a 2002 that burns about a litre every 10000km at 28000km or so, but mine is at 86000km and burns none.

That's about it, really.

Something to note, is that some 3.5 tend to knock from 60000km and on. There are couple of things to watch out for on this -

a. It could be dirty injectors, so they may need a clean.
b. The 3.5 is sensitive to spark plug choice, use only the original type or BETTER (ie Denso platinum, NGK platinum, Denso Iridium or NGK Iridium IX) and make sure they are gapped spot on 1.1mm. The reason is that the engine management system, as well as using a knock sensor also uses ion sensing in the combustion chamber to detect the burn quality. The spark plugs are used as the sensors to measure the electric resistance of the gases after the combustion cycle. Over time, you may get a coating on the spark plugs (soot or whatever) that interferes with this measurement.

Pop an email to me at savvas_e@yahoo.com.au for some more info.