2.2Hdi Relay advice

[bxzx16v]

I've recently been considering another van and considered a new shape dispatch with the 2.0Hdi 16v engine or a new shape berlingo with the 1.6Hdi but I've seen a few Citroen relays for about the same price if not less than a dispatch , I just wanted to know if anyone has any info regarding the 2.2 Hdi in the newer shape relays ? My wife's got a freelander 2 with it in 160bhp non dpf version and it's pretty impressive , fairly economical and with plenty of grunt when required .

Mark

[hawaiianblue]

I think you'll find the Relay/Boxer/Ducato use the Ford ZSD 'Puma' engine found in the Transit rather than the PSA/Ford DW12 which the Freelander uses. They're branded as 'HDI' in PSA badged vehicles, JTD in Fiat badged vehicles, in the same way Ford brand the PSA units in the cars as Duratorq.

The Ford unit isn't quite as refined as the DW12, but it's more suited to a van where refinement is less of an issue where as the chain drive is a benefit on a commercial vehicle, which might need several mileage based cambelt changes in a year, ie. a commercial can do as many miles in a year as the average car does in it's lifetime.

I have one in my X-Type Jaguar, massive amounts of torque, superb fuel economy. The common rail Puma units are very reliable, but do suffer a common fault with injector wear and the bottom aux belt pulley delaminating.

[bxzx16v]

Thanks for that, I shall be looking at some soon. They seem better value than a dispatch and have less mileage on and you can get a newer vehicle for similar cash.

Mark

[RichardW]

My parents have got a Relay based camper van with the 2.2 HDi in it. This is their second one, first was a non DPF 120BHP version, this one is 130 BHP DPF. Not driven it, but it reportedly goes OK - depsite being almost up to the 3.5te limit most of the time, it returns high 30s MPG. Don't think they've had any engine related issues - first one did about 20k over 3 years, current one has done about 10k in its first year. First one had to have a new air bag control unit, and the current one the side door runner fell apart when it was a few weeks old!

[citronut]

my friend has an 08 long wheel base Relay, when he bought it it was about two years old and he thought it had the PSA lump in it,

till at around 138K it required a new engine found out it had the Ford limp, i believe something to do with an injector killed the old one,

up to this point he had had it serviced by the dealer,

around £7,000 ish later, it was just out of manufacturers warranty milage and time elapsed when the engine went,

citroebn agreed to cover half the cost,

so my friend had to stump up around £3,500

[hawaiianblue]

The injectors can start to leak, if the engine is run for a long time with leaking injectors the excess fuel is bad for the engine. It's a common fault with the Delphi injectors, although there are uprated ones available now, I don't know at which point they started line fitting the upgraded injectors at Dagenham.

The Crank damper/pulley problem is the other common fault, again an upgraded one is now available, it's about £150 for the upgrade kit (new damper pulley, new tensioner and belt) Not difficult to replace, but a good bargaining point if you view one and the engine is rattley from cold.

I have a feeling they also do a Ducato/Relay/Boxer with 2.8 Iveco (Fiat) lump.

Obviously I know this is a Citroen Forum, but the Boxer and Ducato are identical to the Relay (all made in Italy), so it's not worth paying extra for the Citroen badged model just for the sake of brand loyalty, you can always replace the badges.

[bxzx16v]

Thanks everyone for your comments, I'll see whats around when I come to get one, I'd love a newer shape dispatch with the 2.0hdi but with reasonable mileage on they can be silly money whereas a 09/10 plate relay with 60k on are generally around 6kish plus the dreaded vat.

Mark

[BX]

Whatever you get make sure that it has either the PDA or the Iveco (Fiat) engine. Either option is better in every respect than the 2.2 lump from the T. Citronut describes a common problem. Usual fix is a short block and often a new turbo as well. The injectors usually need to be replaced as well. Check the prices. 2.0 is psa. 2.3, 2.8 & 3.0 are Sofim Aka Fiat aka Iveco.