So often we are seeing folks ask "is this KJ worth buying, or keeping; often the answer is no. Mostly it is simple economics. These vehicles are not rare enough, or old enough, to be appreciating in value, ever, well maybe if you had one in pristine condition 20 years from now, but who would buy it. Collectors items they are not.
So it comes down to the utility they provide you now, against the cost of keeping it going.
As I implied in my thread on restoring or rebuilding, you are not going to get value for money from that sort of project, but you could get a very useful vehicle that could last many more years. Just don't think you will be able to rock up to trade it on a new car and find the work you did is not worth anything; Blue Book price is all they care about and as Layback has pointed out its getting close to part-out value.
But if you love the one you have, there are certainly things you can do to keep it going, without spending a small fortune. Here are a few to think about:
1. Change the oil and filter. If you have another, new vehicle, you might notice the oil change interval might be yearly now, that would not work for KJs, especially CRDs. Soot particle suspension in the oil acts as an abrasive on internal parts, these vehicles need regular oil and filter changes. Try 8000km max.
2. Clean the electronic sensors that you can get to, like the MAP (aka Boost Control sensor), the MAF in the air filter neck. A small bottle of sensor cleaner is all you need (Don't try to clean them with petrol etc).
3. Change the fuel filter at least every two years.
4. Change the Air Filter when you change the oil or at least annually. Big cities clog up air filters fast compared to country use.
These first four don't cost much at all.
Consider a transmission service: fluid flush, new filters (there are two), replace fluid with new correct spec fluid. If you DIY this it will cost about $250, a tranny service place might charge you a grand and may not use the right spec fluid. Do this every two years if you can.
These steps will give you a good start in extending the life of the vehicle imho.
I am sure other folks would add a few suggestions as well.
So it comes down to the utility they provide you now, against the cost of keeping it going.
As I implied in my thread on restoring or rebuilding, you are not going to get value for money from that sort of project, but you could get a very useful vehicle that could last many more years. Just don't think you will be able to rock up to trade it on a new car and find the work you did is not worth anything; Blue Book price is all they care about and as Layback has pointed out its getting close to part-out value.
But if you love the one you have, there are certainly things you can do to keep it going, without spending a small fortune. Here are a few to think about:
1. Change the oil and filter. If you have another, new vehicle, you might notice the oil change interval might be yearly now, that would not work for KJs, especially CRDs. Soot particle suspension in the oil acts as an abrasive on internal parts, these vehicles need regular oil and filter changes. Try 8000km max.
2. Clean the electronic sensors that you can get to, like the MAP (aka Boost Control sensor), the MAF in the air filter neck. A small bottle of sensor cleaner is all you need (Don't try to clean them with petrol etc).
3. Change the fuel filter at least every two years.
4. Change the Air Filter when you change the oil or at least annually. Big cities clog up air filters fast compared to country use.
These first four don't cost much at all.
Consider a transmission service: fluid flush, new filters (there are two), replace fluid with new correct spec fluid. If you DIY this it will cost about $250, a tranny service place might charge you a grand and may not use the right spec fluid. Do this every two years if you can.
These steps will give you a good start in extending the life of the vehicle imho.
I am sure other folks would add a few suggestions as well.
Comment