Re. problems with Isuzu/Holden Jackaroo TDiesel, 1998-on, with HEUI injection system. I still own a 1998 model, and at about 73,000kms. in late 2003, the motor developed hard starting, and rough running when it did start. To a garage, not a dealer, and the mechanic took it for a run. On his return, the motor would not stop, so had to be stalled. It was running-on on a fuel/oil mix being fed to the pistons via the turbo (bearings stuffed) through the air intake system, and has resulted in many of these engines throughout Australia that I know of totally destroying themselves, and in some cases, causing accidents. Holden resolutely denied any knowledge of the problem for a long time, but eventually did a recall of the model and replaced the injector and injector
seat seals, which had shrunk, probably due to the heat of the engine head. In my case, I paid out about $6500 for replacement of turbo, glow plugs, injector kits etc. and was eventually recompensed $1800 by Holden, who then insisted on their own warranty replacement of the O-rings. A new motor for these machines cost around $26,000. A lot of them have had to be replaced, quite a lot under warranty. It would appear that the cost had a hand in sending Isuzu broke, and then GM injected money. Jackaroos were discontinued. It is not known by me if Caterpillar, who designed the system, and it is installed in a lot of trucks, tractors and RV around the world, in Holden and Ford and other vehicles, ever had to cover any of the costs. When the seals were replaced, it was said by Holden that now these O-rings were to be replaced every 80,000km. service for the life of the vehicle. Anyway, what this is leading up to is that around 30,000km. after the double replacement of the faulty O-ring seals, and Holden have admitted unofficially that they are faulty, (the design is completely faulty), I have got the same problem again! I religiously use 5W-40 fully synthetic oil, but for the past 15,000km. I have been making oil in the sump! In one way or another, and for one reason or another, the seal seperating the oil and the diesel in the
seat of the injector has again shrunk, and allowed diesel to access the sump. The oil is getting thinner and thinner, and will do damage to my vehicle unless I do some more very expensive repairs. The injector seats, made of stainless steel with 2 O-ring seals, cost about $92.00 EACH, and possibly will have to be replaced complete...again!! Hopefully not, apparently O-ring seals are now available seperately. That is before labour an other seals and parts. Holden offered a limited warranty on their parts from the warranty job they did, about 20,000km or 1 year, which ever comes first, and unfortunately I am
well past that in both cases after 2 years. If you are still in the warranty period from the warranty repair, get your oil condition checked asap. It is quite noticeable that your oil gets more in the sump, not less, as time goes on. You may think you are going mad, as I did, but it is not that. I have asked around locally, and know of at least one other Jackaroo diesel, a 2000 model, which has gone futher than my truck and done severe damage, again, although I do not know the intervening mileage. It is in the dealer's workshop. Also, word has it that at least one Caterpillar tractor, on
farm, has been noted wth the same symptoms, so nothing appears to be safe from this design fault. 4 x 4 Magazines of all ilk refused to print any of my warnings back in 2003-4, afraid of Holden's response seemingly, although I was advised in one case that they had contacted Holden, and Holden had denied any knowledge of the matter, so nothing was printed. Hmmm!!!! 4 x 4 Magazine in a much later edition did print a retro look at the Jack, and advised that it did have some problems, since cured, according to them, with injector seals. Believe me, the problem has NOT been fixed. Beware if you are a TD Jack owner.