Holden Jackaroo Turbo Diesel information requested

Submitted: Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 11:20

ThreadID: 55862 Views:29151 Replies:12 FollowUps:4

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Old Mal

My son, who knows zip about anything mechanical, is thinking of getting a 7 seater diesel 4wd but low km Landcruisers & Patrols seem to be out of his budget range, however, Jackaroos seem to be a lot cheaper ?
It would appear that 2003 was the last year they were sold and prices for low km turbo diesel auto versions are around $15,000 - $19,000. I would appreciate any feedback from members regarding reliability / quality of these vehicles and anything I need to look for. All comments appreciated - Old Mal & Son

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Reply By: Member - David P (VIC) - Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 11:36

Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 11:36

There is a large magazine (A4 and quite thick) in the mag (car) section of your newsagent called something like Lemons and Dogs ,pessimists will love it......silverback

AnswerID: 294380

Reply By: Old Mal - Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 11:57

Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 11:57

Hi David, Are you insinuating that Holden Jackaroos are "Lemons" ? I have seen the "Dog & Lemon Guide" and they seem to bag every make and model except Toyota's which makes me a bit cynical in that Toyota probably funded this publication ?

AnswerID: 294382

Follow Up By: Member - Christopher P (NSW) - Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 12:07

Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 12:07

my toyota 4 runner before it was stolen, blew the arse out of the uni joints on my rear tail shaft, needed diff rebuild and needed a gearbox kit in it and still got me to sydney and back to newcastle at 110 kph, i felt the rear tail shaft go before ourimbah hill and checked it all out, found nothing wrong, until close to home then a vibration. went down to my dad's and had a crawl under it there and found the rear uni joint of tailshaft and died, ie no bearing's!!! someone was looking out for me and my wife!!!

my sister had a jackeroo, auto and petrol started leaking around the rear main seal at 170 000 klms, and started getting more problems, they own a toyota landcrusier 97 fully raised and gxl which they love to bits and no major problems yet!!!!

You pay for what you get!

I'm not bashing holden, just saying from my experience. Do the research first as you are and ask your mechanic mate if you have one!

FollowupID: 560200

Reply By: Member - Oldplodder (QLD) - Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 12:38

Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 12:38

They seem to be a good vehicle.
Only major problem I have heard of is the injection system.

There is a jackaroo forum somewhere that could give you more information.

From memory, and I am open to correction, the problem with the injection system is that you need to use the right oil in the sump, as the system uses an oil over diesel injection system (developed by Caterpillar) to obtain the fuel injection pressure, similar to a common rail system. When the seals go in the system, sump oil ends up in the diesel fuel, which is not so good. The right sump oil (10w30?) helps in getting the injection system up to pressure quickly on start up.
The system can be expensive to overhaul, but costs are relative I suppose.
If you can find a mechanic who knows jackaroo injection systems, it would be worthwhile getting it checked.

Hopefully some one else will add more information.

AnswerID: 294390

Reply By: Member - Au-2 - Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 13:01

Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 13:01

Go to this forum Old Mal, it has a good comprehensive forum on all things Jackaroo.

http://forum.australia4wd.com/index.php?s=249286ec7af812aea862847364f7cdaf&

Sheila.

AnswerID: 294392

Reply By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 13:09

Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 13:09

I was an owner until recently of a 99 SE manual TD - there have been a lot of posts here on various Jack aspects over the years - have you looked them over ?

AnswerID: 294395

Reply By: Lindsay - Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 14:22

Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 14:22

Having owned a '94 Jackaroo 3.1 TD for over 13 years of very trouble free operation, I can vouch for reliability of the old oiler over the newer 3.0 oiler. The Jackaroo clubs that we were members of (Vic and NSW) held numerous information nights regarding the ongoing problems with the 3.0 litre oilers, but never a mention of the old 3.1 clunker. The forums should give you a solid insight into the problems most owners experienced with the 3.0 litre rig as well as the lack of support (or more to the point, knowledge) from Holden on the problems and the handling of warranty issues. Buy a good 3.1 TD and spend an extra 100 to 400 dollars for the Isuzu workshop manual. Easy to work on and parts readily available from Jackeroo World in Melbourne.

AnswerID: 294404

Follow Up By: mike w (WA) - Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 15:04

Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 15:04

It would seem that Jackaroo world is no longer in operation.

FollowupID: 560255

Reply By: mike w (WA) - Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 15:09

Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 15:09

I can vouch for the 3.1td Jackaroo.

I also know quite a few people from the Holden Club in WA that have 3L td. The biggest complaint from most 3lt jackaroo owners seems to be finding someone that actually knows how to work on them. From mine and others experience in Perth, give the holden dealerships the flick, seem to come back with more problems.

A quite common complaint is also in regards to the oil. If the specified oil is not used, it can lead to all sorts of rough running problems. Otherwise the reliability is pretty darn good, a very underrated vehicle

The injector issue should have been fixed bt now on the affected models, as holden recently did a recall. Many of the injector problems stem also from inappropriate oil being used, as they require oil for lubrication.

Check out the Aus4wd forums that have be mentioned previously, plenty of good info there.

AnswerID: 294411

Reply By: Ooppss - Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 15:14

Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 15:14

for the price range that you listed... you should be able to pick a decent Desiel Troopie with around 200K on it, or at least - we did (16K) , thou it wasnt a auto. Had never been off road, not done alot of work.

Mind you - I know zip bout mechanical things as well.. so I may be walking past you one day thinking twice about that statement laugh.

AnswerID: 294412

Reply By: blackie0070 - Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 15:15

Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 15:15

Old Mal & Son, WHATEVER YOU DO DON'T GO NEAR THIS RUBBISH.
My mate bought one which blew the 3 lt Diesel Motor (white smoke from exhaust is first indication) After a lot of research he discovered that this series of motors were faulty and quiet a lot of people were in the process of trying to get warranty repairs done.
He succeeded in getting a new motor installed after about 4 months of haggling. When we picked it up he drove it approx 25klm to a 4wd dealership and traded it on a Nissan 3lt diesel. The Jackaroo Petrol seems to be a fine engine but be careful of your diesels.

Blackie

AnswerID: 294413

Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 19:17

Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 19:17

Well hopefully as he is good at haggling he may need it with a 3ltr Nissan as well
Hope not but maybe

FollowupID: 560354

Reply By: Sludgie - Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 20:01

Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 20:01

Gidday Old Mal,
I have owned a 2002 auto diesel since new,this car has had more than its fair share of bush work and there has not been any problems since new. I do agree however not to use a holden dealer for the service.

Sludgie

AnswerID: 294481

Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 21:23

Monday, Mar 24, 2008 at 21:23

Clearance under the transfer case is poor.
The later 3 litre models were fitted with twin cranking batteries because of starting issues.

AnswerID: 294498

Reply By: Member - Oldbaz. NSW. - Tuesday, Mar 25, 2008 at 08:47

Tuesday, Mar 25, 2008 at 08:47

If your son knows zip about mechanics why not look at a 3.5 V6
Jackaroo. Big, strong & long lasting. $14k got me a 2000 model
with under 90k on it & I wouldnt part with it for $20k. Your budget should get you a gem. The so called diesel advantage is a
bit dusty today, considering the dearer purchase price & the premium for diesel fuel. It takes a long time or a lot of ks to get
square. Cheers...oldbaz.

AnswerID: 294543

Follow Up By: blackie0070 - Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 10:30

Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 10:30

Great Advice Oldbaz,
Stay away from this model Diesel it has inherant problems which cannot be fixed (its the motor design). The Jackaroo is a good vehicle but petrol is the way to go.
Good Luck,
Blackie

FollowupID: 560907