Isuzu KB 280 TD turbo & intercooler question

[jdjoubert]

Can someone tell me how much it will cost to replace the turbo on a 1999 or 2000 or 2001 KB 280 td?

Most people I spoke to said that the turbo is the only real weak spot on these bakkies if driven the wrong way.

My question stemm from the idea to maby, hopefulle be able to buy a vehicle at the end of this year. My sights are set on one of these Isuzus.
But I am worried that the turbo goes just after I buy it.

Also, I read people build intercoolers into them, does it make a noticable differance and hoe much does THAT cost?

[4ePajero]

Make sure Sakkie responds to your post.
I'd rather believe him than anybody else, when it comes to Isuzus.

My 280DT had done 330 000+ kms without one engine hiccup when I sold it.

Look for a nice Frontier Granny-wagon!

They are vrilliant vehicles.

[Stockman]

New Turbo, R16 - R20K, just fitted intercooler to my Frontier, R11K + R6700 for overhaul of diesel pump and fitment of new wastegate. Previous diesel "fundi" bent some arm in the wastegate resulting in it having to be replaced.

Mileage now 200 000km.

Love my Granny Wagon, don't like the name given to by certain persons! LOL!!!

[Andre]

JD also speak to the crowd at Hayes Motors in Stikland.

[JP]

The turbo's on the 280DT lasts!! Yes, a few of them have given up the ghost but that was mostly due to "experts" fiddling with them. If looked after, and I mean in general - not excessive TLC etc, they will last 400 000 k's easily. If you were to buy a replacement turbo from the stealers you will easily pay the sort of amount s as mentioned above. Nowadays there are plenty other reliable sources for replacement turbo's at half the price.

Intercooler on a 280DT engine makes a difference, for sure. And the difference is positive, and it can aid in the reliability of the engine as well as cooler air now enters the engine. Heat is the nemesis of any diesel engine. Prices vary from supplier to supplier. There is an Isuzu specialist by the name of Mario Fourie in the Cape. You will find him on www.isuzuoffroad.co.za He also does the i/c conversions and he KNOWS his stuff around an Isuzu

Stockman, don't blame that Grannyvan name on Sakkie ;) It actually has another source ;D

btw, Me thinks Sakkie is only returning to the RSA this coming weekend, so we will have to wait a few days longer for his replies.

[jdjoubert]

Thanx for the replies.........

R16k to R20k is tooooo much mooola..... eish.

[My Garry]

I have a 280DT Le 2X4 for sale Engine never been touched Turbo sounds like new INTERESTED? done 300 000km doesn't use a drop of oil between changes every 5000km.

[Rainier Vermaak]

Thanx for the replies.........

R16k to R20k is tooooo much mooola..... eish.

JD, Ek dink die punt is dat indien jy 'n skoon bakkie koop en hom reg onderhou sal hy nie probleme gee nie.

Daar is letterlik hordes 280's wat in die Transkei rondloop, hulle rook nie en as hy nie daar breek nie......

[Botswana]

You'll know long before a turbo "goes" that it's on it's way - oil leaks from centre housings, oil in plumbing (do not confuse with oil from breather) and noise (loud whirring or scraping). Easiest to check by removing intake hose and feel for any side play or excessive up/down play - to the extent that it touches the housing. No touch, should be o/k.
Provided you allow some cooling down time (such as slowing down on highway before exiting or idling 1 or 2 mins after pushing in town your turbo will last for many years. Biggest turbo killers are overspeed / overboost (fiddling with wastegate), excessive heat and super-hot shutdowns.
Aftercoolers increase effective compression ratios thereby increasing towrque. Be careful of overdoing aftercoolers without higher fuel settings as it may result in too low combustion temps - good for Nox outputs but bad for combustion deposits / oil acidity.
Replacement turbos (original) are available from several specialists shops - Ie. nitro & turbo performance for around R5300. Aftercooler kits such as Cirrus go for about R3500.

[4ePajero]

You'll know long before a turbo "goes" that it's on it's way -

Except sometimes !!!

I had one let go in an instant - it blew the shaft oil seal.
The power went from 125kW to 400kW in 2 secs!
It accelerated like a 911, belching a cloud of white smoke like the space shuttle.
Fortunately it has a manual gearbox and I could "kill" it with the brakes.

.... but that is the exception!

Usually they give ample warning, like you said, and can be re-conditioned for a few grand.

[Sakkie]

Intercooler on ANY turbo-charged vehicle is a BIG YES. You want optimum performance out of it, you intercool it, period. How you use the new available power is up to you. You can gain fuel economy if driven proper, or gain brute force, with less fuel economy if you've got a heavy foot.......like me...:-[

The Isuzu having a weak turbo is a lot of hogwash. I've taken a 280 to 416 big ones and sold it in 2005 for the 300. That 280 is still running today in Durban and I can give you Morgan's telephone number if you want to confirm that. The 300 is touching 200 big ones with no problem on the turbo. About 200 active members on the Isuzu Offroad web site, most of them in 280s and I've not heard of a single turbo failure. Blown a motor or two, but never a turbo. Engine failure occurs for one of a couple of reasons, each one of them under the control of the driver.
1. Overheating due to no water..burst pipes etc
2. Leaking/worn out injectors due to lack of maintenance
3. Overfueling due to owner or unimformed person fiddling with the injector pump.
4. uninformed people playing around with turbo boost pressures trying to increase performance.

In the early days of TDs, which Isuzu started in SA, there were some failures, some mechanical, but the vast majority due to driver ignorance. There is a way to drive a TD, and it is different to a petrol. Once you got those under control, that turbo will outlast your engine, and on a 280 Isuzu that is a serious claim, and I stand by it.

Before you buy, have it checked out by a proffesional, and then take care of it. All TDs do need to be treated with due common sense respect, or it can cost you a lot of money, and the Isuzu TD is no different, just more forgiving than most, if not all others.

[4ePajero]

See, I told you, wait till Sakkie pitches in!
Then you will hear the truth.
;D

[Sakkie]

:-[......I just say it as I see/experience it....sorry;D

[jdjoubert]

Thanx Sakkie and everyone else for the informative responces.

I was just worried that I might buy a 280 TD and a month later I have to fork out R20 000 for a new turbo cause the previous owner sold me a dud bakkie.

But R3500 for a recond turbo is not too bad I guess.


Another question then......... if you guys claim that the 4x2 280 td D/C can get anything between 9 and 13 km/l, how does the 4x4 compare in consumption?

[ThomasT]

I average around 10km/l and that includse town driving as well as sand driving.

[hcalitz]

I just got my 1995 2.8DC LE 4x4 a week ago, drove it from ape town to bloem and got 11.5 km/l at 110 to 120. I did deviate a bit on some gravel as well. It asked nicely :) I did some slow off roading and plenty town driving since, and will know what the average is on the next tank fill. Just waiting for the diesel prices to drop.;D

[Rainier Vermaak]

Haai JD,

Ek het 'n KB 4x4, net met die 300TDi enjin. As ek so luister is die 280 ligter op brandstof as die 300, en my regtervoet is maar swaar. Ek het nou al 22000km met die bakkie gery en my gemiddelde verbruik is 9.52km/l, so ek glo die 280 sal jou maklik 10km/l gee.

Rainier

[4ePajero]

... drove it from ape town to bloem

ape town?

Some members here might object!
;D

[Rainier Vermaak]

ape town?

Some members here might object!
;D

As well as some of the apes.;D

[Navigator]

I had a 280DT some time ago & was taken by affirmative shopping..:mad: .. had a intercooler fitted at around 160000km and run without any issues till around 200000km, because its not a high performance motor the turbo`s live is better than most other turbo diesel bakkies. Recon & after market turbos is freely available & dont need to spend R16000 on a turbo, also keep in mind every 100000km you should need to change the injector tips.

The cooler increased the power from a granny van to a very nice bakkie, but did not improve my fuel consumption as was told by the sales guy, but with ave 10km.l I didnt mind.

[kenny]

Jd ek het een gehad en is spyt ek het hom verkoop Ek het sy ratte injector tips en turbo waste gate laat vervang en die pomp laat check vir R10000.in malmesbury ok dit was n paar terug. Dink ook om weer terug te gaan.

[hcalitz]

ape town?

Some members here might object!
;D
It was an honest typing error that I did not correct. I did not mean to insult any primates, upright or not!. ;D Still the way some guys used the N1 while I was there.....

[jdjoubert]

I might have found a Isuzu Bakkie.

It is a 1999 280 TD 4x4 LX white Double Cab with Canopy

It has 186 000km on the clock

Has got an aftermarket intercooler

Engine was replaced at 160 000km due to radiator leak.

Newish BF Goodrich tyres.

Leaf spring was replaces recently.

It looks wel taken care of with all services done and stamped in book.


Only problem is, the owner does not know how much to ask for it.

What would you guys say is a fair price for this bakkie.





.

[Wit Lorrie]

After a quick look at autotrader.co.za and some adjustments, I would say offer him R65k. Hope she brings you joy.

[Rainier Vermaak]

Ek dink WL slaan die spyker op die kop met R65k, maar bied minder aan en kyk of die vis byt.

Ek wil jou nie beledig nie, maar as jy iemand soek om die bakkie saam met jou deur te kyk is Mario (Weimaraner op die IOC webwerf) die aangewese persoon. PM my vir sy details of dit is op die IOC webwerf beskikbaar.

[jdjoubert]

Strangely, my budget only goes as far as R65 000.

So I will try my best and see what happens.


I think it will be a good idea too to take someone with who knows about these bakkies. So I will keep the info and PM you if it seems that a 'deal' is realising.


Thanx guys.

[Rainier Vermaak]

Cool.

[Arno007]

I have a 1998 Frontier 280DT LX 4X4 without any modifications (or breakdowns). It has 262000km on the clock and does 13,67km/l on average, corrected to true km's. Best ever was 14,88km/l (1250km on 84liters). Worst ever was 10,12km/l (780km on 77liters) between CAPE town and Port Elizabeth with a heavy Easterly wind slowing us down to 130km/h. Still made it on one tank though! And that is the beauty of the Frontier: 85liter tank and good economy. I seldom do less than 1100km on a tank. (Remember that we here in GP have only 85% of the air resistance that the Capies have to overcome.) The past week we spent a whole week in 3rd gear in the Waterberg and that brought the economy down to 12km/l. On most vehicles that kind of driving totally kills the economy.

The 280 definitely deserves some serious credit. In town it easily keeps up with the traffic and I never needed extra power. OK, it will not spin on tar like my petrol bakkie does!

[jdjoubert]

I am now as exited as a Nymphomaniac in a nudist camp........>:D


I had to let the search for a Isuzu go due to not being able to sell my wife's Renault first.....

It is now sold. :D:cool:;D


We are now officially carless......

So now I am seriously looking for an Isuzu 280 LX 4x2 or 4x4 Double cab.

I have another question though, It was said in a earlier post I need to take off the intake pipe and feel for play. Play in what? Can you feel the turbo fans in there if you stick your hand in there or what part am I looking for?

The purpose of the bakkie would firstly be to pull a Jurgens Fleetline XL caravan. I think loaded, the caravan is in the region of 1,2tons.
Will the 280 tdi be able to safely cope with this load? I see it is rated at 79KW.
My wifes 1.6 Renault was also just under 80KW but struggled to get out of the driveway with it.

I have a VERY light foot (thanx to the 4 litre Jeep I had).What kind of towing consumption can I acspect towing a caravan of that weight at speeds between 80km/h to 100km/h.

Is there maby anyone in the Helderberg or surrounding area that might be willing to accompany me if I do find and Isuzu that I want to buy to give the bakkie a look through?

[moseswal]

Hi

My intercooler costed R1600 and the silicone pipes and clamps etc costed about R1000, I fited it myself so I don't know what labour costs.The top turbo
(see pic) costed R900 but I now a guy who has laot of 280 turbos for about R1300,A service kit is R500 and balancing the blades is arround R500, againe I put the the stuff from the service kit in my self but the balancing I had to pay for.Sakkie is rite about the IHI turbos being bullrt proof.Im currently running 2 bar and both turbos are fine.I once put a garret turbo on a tayota hilux 4y engine and I only ran 1.6 bar and the turbo broke and garret is supposed to be good.

[jdjoubert]

Ja.... typical......

now that I am looking for a Isuzu, none is for sale. :rolleyes:


I drive past hundreds every day........ but none for sale.....

[Dookie]

1998 ISUZU KB SERIES 280dt Grey 222 000 km, Diesel, 4x4, 5 Doors, Power Steering, Alloys, Air Conditioning, Central Locking, Tow Bar, CD Player, Immaculate Condition.
Western Cape
Tel: 0835030307
Price: R 65 000 neg

or come visit us :

1999 Isuzu KB Series KB320 D/C LX V6 4X4 White 287 447 km, A/c, p/s, radio, e/w, rubberised, n/b, spotlight, t/b, t/cover, grey leather seats, PSH!CALL JOHAN 076 236 8220
The Car King
Gauteng
Tel: 011 918 6127 or 076 236 8220
Price: R 64 950

[jdjoubert]

Can the experts maby give me an idea of the following Isuzu for sale??

2001 Isuzu KB 280 TD

4x4 Double Cab with Canopy

221 000km (is this not too much? Am I looking for trouble with this amount of kilos')

Apparently ex Northern Cape and was an old man's car (dealer talk)


And then the same question remains:

Is the Isuzu the right type of bakkie for my needs?

Pulling a 1,3ton Caravan.

Should I consider something else maby.

eg Nissan Hardbody 3.2D

Ford/Mazda 2.5TDI

My price range is still max R85 000. (and it does not need to be 4x4, 4x2 is fine)

Reason for asking, I now get mixed oppinions regarding towing a 1.3ton caravan with a Isuzu with over 200 000km on the clock.

EISH !!!!! :-\:-\:-\

[Arno007]

The Isuzu will make that caravan feel like a 6vt Venter!

What you should be looking for when comparing, is the ease of manuvreability at low speeds, like parking and taking off. The Isuzu 280 has plenty of torque at just over 1000rpm. The Nissan and the Ford does not. Their torque is delivered higher up.

And the standard 74kW is plenty of power at 110km/h (3600rpm in 4th). You will be surprized at how easily you can overtake.

My 280 now has 264kkm and is still 100% original. No mods and no problems.

Enjoy

[jdjoubert]

My questions of 2 posts ago still stand, and I have some more questions....


I found another Isuzu and would like to know if anyone knows if it seems like a good price or not.

2001 Isuzu KB 280 TD LX 4x4 Double Cab and canopy.
221 000km on
White
Still looks in a good condition.

Asking price R95 000.

any comments?

[Jose]

In todays market a more realistic price would be around 85.

[Bassolic]

Halo you okes. Kindly advise. I hav 1998 280 DT Le D/Cab. Currently at 336500 approx kilos on the clock. Only issue with it is: 1) body is hanging on right rear side, and the major frustration is that it has difficulty to start in cold whether and when it does start after the glowplugs were warmed up 4 - 5 times it disposes of a lot of white smoke. Guys to me this is serious hence I cant afford much on repairs hence I have lost my job lately and nowadays it isnt easy to recuparate from such ordeal. Nevertheless I am willing to persue your advise. To me this vehicle is priceless. Thanking you in advance. Bassolic

[Bassolic]

JD. Na, I agree with Jose. Go to www.carfind.co.za (http://www.carfind.co.za). Im very much certain you will find somethin g more appropriate in terms of price and km's. Hope this will be helpfull. Regards. Bassolic

[MadJan]

Hi All, hope you guys can shed some light. We have and Isuzu KB 280 TD 4 x 2. From the beginning of this year we have had endless problems.
Problem:
Bakkie picks up a rev and keeps accelerating, even though we switched it off, it just kept going on, battery was removed....lo and behold...acceleration just kept picking up. So we waited it out....the smoke was enough to choke even the neighbours, the oil spewed out the exhaust....and that was the end.
We have replaced i think every part to the engine, sent parts to the agents etc.
The bakkie ran for a few months but was still heating up, and when it wasnt....the water was always bubbling (although not hot).
The problem with the revving has started again and we havent used the bakkie since. Please help, seems like everyone 'knows' what the problem is but can't get it fixed....we are so desperate to get this fixed....:-(

[avk]

Hi All, hope you guys can shed some light. We have and Isuzu KB 280 TD 4 x 2. From the beginning of this year we have had endless problems.
Problem:
Bakkie picks up a rev and keeps accelerating, even though we switched it off, it just kept going on, battery was removed....lo and behold...acceleration just kept picking up. So we waited it out....the smoke was enough to choke even the neighbours, the oil spewed out the exhaust....and that was the end.
We have replaced i think every part to the engine, sent parts to the agents etc.
The bakkie ran for a few months but was still heating up, and when it wasnt....the water was always bubbling (although not hot).
The problem with the revving has started again and we havent used the bakkie since. Please help, seems like everyone 'knows' what the problem is but can't get it fixed....we are so desperate to get this fixed....:-(

Hi MadJan, I would recommend you start a new thread with a nice descriptive subject. You'll get more replies that way.

Cheerz!

[Sakkie]

....we are so desperate to get this fixed....:-(

Mal Jan

Your head gasket most probably is blown into the water ports (bubbles), get Silverton Radiators to confirm. They do a dye test.

The engine running away is usually caused by sump compression. Oil is blown into the inlet, (through the tappet cover breather pipe) the engine uses THAT as fuel, and you can switch off all you like, she will keep on running until she blows up. Confirm this by removing the breather pipe. To fix means engine rebuild. Talk to RedPro Engineering in Durban North. Under R20K and 6 months guarantee.

[tabanem]

Hi all,I have kb280DT 2000 model,Recently i drove over a pavement avoiding an oncoming car which was heading my way,and my diff got damaged,i have bought the new parts for it to be fixed but i think the guy who did it is a fundi because it makes a whistling noise when i drive and sometime makes a grinding noise when i turn.

Is there somebody who can repair it or sell me a new used one,i still like this bakkie it's sitting on 450000km and engine still have not been touched and it's still going strong,i stay in Pretoria West

Thanks for this blog : )

[yodaspike]

if you are really looking for some good help and advice, you can contact my brother, if you are interested PM me.
between him and my other brother i sorted out most of my issues with my isuzu and i always take my BM to him for everything, and after more than 5 years of using him, never had any issues.
he is a qualified mechanic if you where wondering

[Hurricane Blues]

having driven 3 of these one up to 498 000 km, never had turbo problems except only once (as per the expert) and it was overhauled by about R3 800, imagine all of this in the Eastern Cape. The one I drove until 498 000 km and sold is still going strong, I fitted with a Cirrus intercooler and a free flow exhaust but did not adjust the injector pump but I noticed a difference in the top speed in each gear. So dont worry.

[Ricodlen]

Could anyone advise on the following in regards to a 280dt that I have fitted in my Ssangyong Musso.

It was breathing exhaust fumes through the dip stick and oil filler cap - rings need replacing

Head gasket blew due to overheating.

I believe this motor has been overhauled but the workmanship is questionable.

I would like to overhaul the motor again and need to know the costing and what is required in terms of part replacement and engineering.

Any advice is appreciated.

Rico

[sweeper]

Hi,

Best is to take the motor out and stirp it and check what you need to do. if it has been done already, what was replaced? Sleeves, pistons, rings? you do not want to spend money on stuff that does not need changing.

My case was - block and head with melted piston - worked out to about 10k. I did sleeves, pistons, rings, gasket set, head recon, some new valves, Bearings were like new, so reused them(marked there places when i removed them) oil pump is was good. New headbolts. This included engineering to do the sleeves for me. We did 90% of the work ourselves with the manual ofcourse.

Key things
Gasket set, good one please, victor reinz or GM.
Sleeves and pistons - unless they are in good nic, change both, price between sleeve kit and just a piston is marginal.
work clean..
take your time and check every single part before installing it.

PM for details about where i got parts and engineering.
I also have a spare 280 in my garage thats done 5000km....since complete recon
P.S - also you need to figure out why she overheated, otherwise you will be doing this again in 6 months time.