JPC Photo
New Member
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2019
- Messages
- 7
- Country Flag
Hi all,
Wanted to start by saying what a cracking community of like minded Cruiser-heads this is, generous with their time and insights. It's been an invaluable resource with the turbo problem that's left my D4D going nowhere, and i wanted to share my experience/learnings in case another novice like me encounters similar!
I love my D4D - I'm a photographer/film-maker specialising in outdoor adventure. It's invaluable for hauling kit, bikes & models to remote locations around the UK & EU, not to mention sleeping comfortably in when getting up at 3am to climb a mountain as well as like driving an arm chair on long motorway journeys. What a vehicle.
My turbo has been diagnosed (through fault codes and initial inspection) as faulty, suspected actuator arm problem. Vehicle gradually started losing pulling power, flat lining at approx 2500rpm and surging. I had encountered this 22 months previously, had a new pair of SCV fitted which instantly sorted issue, however it resurfaced last month and now things are pointing toward replacing turbo.
I have discovered that the world of remanufactured/refurbished/replacement Turbo's is a dark place; mutterings of 'cheap chocolate chinese' turbos bought from e-bay, shoddy rebuilds with shoddy parts and in my own instance, a diesel specialist here in Dorset who is now refusing to remove the turbo for further inspection unless I agree to only purchasing a genuine Toyota turbo and parts (at approx £3000 ex vat.) for him to fit. Tales of people supplying crappy turbos that come back to bite him on the a$$ have been told often.
I have spent too many hours researching the dark art of turbo remanufacturing, speaking with about 5 different firms in the UK. Some are ISO 9000 accredited with 40+ years doing only turbos, others working only with garrett turbos. It transpires the turbo on this particular D4D had some known 'issues' (I love learning about these various issues years down the line of owning!), spare parts for it are scarse, cheap replacements readily-available.
My current debate is;
- with a vehicle (much loved as it is) worth < £6k, spending over half of that on a turbo seems ludicrous
- some/many mechanics will only fit parts they source or vouch for. I get this - no-one wants their name put to shoddy work and the problems that must cause. Some will fit anything you give them, but don't come back crying when sh!t goes wrong. How do you find a 4x4/diesel experienced mechanic, fond of Land Cruisers, who is happy to fit a refurbished turbo from a reputable firm?!
I'll just add that my level of mechanical skills doesn't extend anywhere close to replacing parts like this, so I'm dependent on reputable, trustworthy and knowledgable mechanics. SVS in Wimborne has been recommended on this forum so I'm hoping to have her taken to them this week to get things going. I don't want to fit cheap parts - it doesn't seem to make sense with such a well built vehicle but I don't blame those who are able to save money by fitting themselves.
Any advice from those who've replaced, refurbished or run a million miles from a turbo problem much appreciated.
Cheers,
James
'02 D4D 3.0
KDJ120
150k
Wanted to start by saying what a cracking community of like minded Cruiser-heads this is, generous with their time and insights. It's been an invaluable resource with the turbo problem that's left my D4D going nowhere, and i wanted to share my experience/learnings in case another novice like me encounters similar!
I love my D4D - I'm a photographer/film-maker specialising in outdoor adventure. It's invaluable for hauling kit, bikes & models to remote locations around the UK & EU, not to mention sleeping comfortably in when getting up at 3am to climb a mountain as well as like driving an arm chair on long motorway journeys. What a vehicle.
My turbo has been diagnosed (through fault codes and initial inspection) as faulty, suspected actuator arm problem. Vehicle gradually started losing pulling power, flat lining at approx 2500rpm and surging. I had encountered this 22 months previously, had a new pair of SCV fitted which instantly sorted issue, however it resurfaced last month and now things are pointing toward replacing turbo.
I have discovered that the world of remanufactured/refurbished/replacement Turbo's is a dark place; mutterings of 'cheap chocolate chinese' turbos bought from e-bay, shoddy rebuilds with shoddy parts and in my own instance, a diesel specialist here in Dorset who is now refusing to remove the turbo for further inspection unless I agree to only purchasing a genuine Toyota turbo and parts (at approx £3000 ex vat.) for him to fit. Tales of people supplying crappy turbos that come back to bite him on the a$$ have been told often.
I have spent too many hours researching the dark art of turbo remanufacturing, speaking with about 5 different firms in the UK. Some are ISO 9000 accredited with 40+ years doing only turbos, others working only with garrett turbos. It transpires the turbo on this particular D4D had some known 'issues' (I love learning about these various issues years down the line of owning!), spare parts for it are scarse, cheap replacements readily-available.
My current debate is;
- with a vehicle (much loved as it is) worth < £6k, spending over half of that on a turbo seems ludicrous
- some/many mechanics will only fit parts they source or vouch for. I get this - no-one wants their name put to shoddy work and the problems that must cause. Some will fit anything you give them, but don't come back crying when sh!t goes wrong. How do you find a 4x4/diesel experienced mechanic, fond of Land Cruisers, who is happy to fit a refurbished turbo from a reputable firm?!
I'll just add that my level of mechanical skills doesn't extend anywhere close to replacing parts like this, so I'm dependent on reputable, trustworthy and knowledgable mechanics. SVS in Wimborne has been recommended on this forum so I'm hoping to have her taken to them this week to get things going. I don't want to fit cheap parts - it doesn't seem to make sense with such a well built vehicle but I don't blame those who are able to save money by fitting themselves.
Any advice from those who've replaced, refurbished or run a million miles from a turbo problem much appreciated.
Cheers,
James
'02 D4D 3.0
KDJ120
150k