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[bengingle]

Hi Everyone!

I’m another Newbie to the site having just bought a mint condition Cherokee 2.5TD Limited (on a P-Reg), with 100k on the clock, immaculate condition inside and out, full service history, everything works… all for £800!

There are a few bits I want to do on it before I tax and MOT it, just your basics, oil and filter change, air filter etc etc, however I’m just wondering if you guys can give me some info on the engine as I would like to know what I have.

Here’s my issue, take the air filter for example, have been on numerous sites (eurocar parts, ebay etc) to look at prices, however when I do a search I think it coming up with the wrong stuff.

Having not opened the air filter up, I can see from the shape of the box, it looks like a cylinder one, however if I search a 1997 Jeep Cherokee Air filter, the images are all of square filters… if I do a 1995 year search, I get cylinder ones.

I’m assuming I have an annoying ‘cross over’, so it’s the old engine (which is a 2.5TD VM lump), but on a last registration… am I right.

Any of you seasoned pro’s got any info on what engine I have, from what I’ve read in 1997 Jeep put a different engine in the car, so I should adjust my future searches accordingly?

Is my VM engine an ‘the old engine’ and should I be doing all my searches and purchases based on an older model (ie. Sticking Jeep Cherokee, 2.5TD, year 1995 [or older to be on the safe side] etc.)

I think I have bought a little gem here, having only test driven it, and checked it over, I so don’t think I’m gonna loose much money if I decide to sell it at some point, but would be good to get some heads up advice from you guys in the know!!!

[gazjeep]

It may be that you have an after market filter.

First things first to establish if you have a mark 1 or a mark 2 facelift model. If its a mk1 you will have quarter light windows in the front passenger & drivers windows, if they are one piece of glass for the whole side window you have a mk 2 facelift.

[tim_aka_tim]

The easiest way to identify the model year is to look at the eighth digit of the VIN.
S = 1995, T = 1996, V = 1997. You can take a photo and post it here also.

The overwhelming issue with that engine, and especially of that vintage is the cooling
system. Cracked heads are so common that it's a given it will happen. Changing the heads
(there are 4, and you may as well do them all as do one of them). Do it yourself for around
300 quid, or over 1000 at a garage.

To stop it happening in the first place, change the coolant right now, and then make sure
the coolant is always good. Of course that assumes the damage hasn't already been done.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this is not a good engine.

[bengingle]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the info...

firstly, heads have all been done with paper work to prove it, and having been an L200 owner, don't even get me started on shoddy engines and keeping an eye on coolant :-)

Having been looking at a few pictures on the Auto Trader ebay etc, I have a MK1.... it has the blower controls etc as sliders not round dials and it has a different steering wheel. So yeah, it's a mark 1.

So what 2.5 lumps are in them, are the pre face lift ones a different engine to the MK2 Jeeps?

Have been trying to find some pictures on eBay etc to compare them, but the buggers haven't put any engine shots up, just lot's of the interior (hence I can see mine is the MK1).

Any help appreciated.

Ben

[tim_aka_tim]

OK, heads being done is a huge bonus, you might have a decent one! Anyway, it's a
VM Motori 425OHV. The early ones were fairly poor, but got slightly better as the
years went on. The basic lump remained the same for the whole lifespan (mk1 & mk2),
but there are some significant differences between early and late ones.

The same basic engine appeared in the Rover 825D and the Ford Scorpio 2.5TD as
well as the Chysler Voyager 2.5TD.

[bengingle]

So in theory then all the parts should be compatible in regards to buying replacement bits (going back to the air filter which has thrown me a bit), or perhaps the earlier engines (like in the mark 1 design) have a slightly different appearance and parts like, filters etc???

I've downloaded a workshop book called 97XJ which covers a 2.5 VM diesel for the Cherokee... but not 100% is this is for my engine and none of the haynes books covers it (confirmed by Vicky from Haynes who i emailled yesterday).

Touch wood I have a goodie here... based on the interior, body and milages, I'd challenge anyone to find a 13 year old motor in better nick, fully dealer stamped up to about 60k and it's only covered 4k in the last 2 or so years.

[Mike Pavelin]

Yours will probably be a '96. The filters are the same except for trhe round air filter.

[bengingle]

Good stuff... Don't you just love having a cross over year for inconvinence, had the same with my old calibra, ages taking off the brake discs and pads only to find the noes I'd bough were wrong because the car was an older model on a newer registration plate!

Are there any good cheap stockists you guys use?

Have used Milner off road for all my other 4x4's but I notice they don't do Jeep.

[johnboybop]

ring lighthouse jeep 01953 681237, all standard items usually in stock
 with next day delivery,

[tim_aka_tim]

Lighthouse will serve you well for a petrol XJ, but don't do any diesel parts. So you're
out of luck with almost anything engine related, and many other parts too. Your local
factors will be as good as anywhere. Also, don't discount the dealer, as sometimes
they will surprise you. If you need any VM parts, then just about the only UK source is
www.vmdieselspecialist.com