What is the most reliable/best year l300?

[oudbak]

Hello all I'm in the market for a L 300 deli super exceed after selling my vw camper I figure the deli won't be any different getting parts for but will be a lot more reliable and actually get fuel mileage 4WD is nice too
OK I looked around the forum I read about glow plug control issues cracked heads temp issues cooling problems so yes just like vanagon there are issues but what year of the L300 is the best to get? right now I'm looking at a 92 and a 93
BTW I will be buying used not fresh off the boat so are there aditional things to look for and is the wvo hard on the diesel motor and cause problems later? theres a neat one forsale.

Thanx!

[fexlboi]

Welcome to the forum!

Best year of a l300 is probably late '93 and '94. With fast glow-plugs and water-cooled turbo, but if you find an earlier model in great shape, don't make this a deal breaker.
Cracked heads, temp issues, cooling problems has nothing to do with the year. More with how you tread your van. Don't floor it up a hill with a trailer in the back, get a pyro, do you preventive maintenance, replace radiator/cooling system.

[FalcoColumbarius]

I like the '92 (latter half). Still with hand throttle, generally a simpler machine. The thing to remember is that she's a diesel and should be driven as such. If you want a Ferrari then buy a Ferrari. Drive an L300 like a stolen Ferrari and you are going to blow a gasket. As Fexlboi has stated: Preventative maintenance is where it's at. Consider this link for when you purchase your Delica. The Starwagon is a quality machine but regardless rubber has a life span and one must think about seals and bushings, &c.. It also helps if you understand your Delica, they have personalities ~ they are not just a car. I find talking to mine helps and it always pays to listen when she has something to say.

Falco.

[oudbak]

I'm reading about the clicking noises does a 94 have a normal glow plug set up? what is the advantage to the watercooled turbo vs the oil cooled set up? and the later models don't have the choke? I'm using the search but the search is sooo long!!

[FalcoColumbarius]

None of them have a choke, no carburettor.
I believe from the '93 on the engine has an automatic throttle adjust that compensates for a cold engine.
As far as glow plugs go ~ what do you mean by "normal"?

Falco.

[jessef]

the advantage for the water cooled turbo (93+) models is it runs cooler than the oil cooled (pre 93) models
cooler turbo = better when climbing hills

[oudbak]

None of them have a choke, no carburettor.
I believe from the '93 on the engine has an automatic throttle adjust that compensates for a cold engine.
As far as glow plugs go ~ what do you mean by "normal"?

Falco.

the advantage for the water cooled turbo (93+) models is it runs cooler than the oil cooled (pre 93) models
cooler turbo = better when climbing hills

Sorry hand throttle old tech! similar to the old 1.6 vw diesel or series Landrover good thing to have specialy in a 4x4 whats up with all the clicking don't you just turn the key either count to 15 or wait for the light to go out then start? my expreience with car diesels is limited to vw and landrover 2.5 n/a turn key pray light comes on count to 15 then start or the 87 Range rover (2.4 VM diesel) turn key wait till light goes out Auto timer then start.does the 93/94 have the automatic system?
which turbo set up is better? and are there other detail differeces betwwen 91 and 94 models?
Maybe should have posted in general discussion but other potential deli buyers will have similiar technical questions! thanx

[jessef]

the advantage for the water cooled turbo (93+) models is it runs cooler than the oil cooled (pre 93) models
cooler turbo = better when climbing hills

which turbo set up is better? and are there other detail differeces betwwen 91 and 94 models?

[FalcoColumbarius]

On my wagon I turn the key to on and I hear a tick. I generally wait three seconds (or so) then the second tick comes and I crank the engine over. After the engine starts, depending how cold she is, I might hear a tick or two as the glow plugs are still doing their job fine tuning the cylinders but at this point the engine is running.

Falco.

[thedjjack]

All Delica's have automatic glow plugs. The click people listen for is the relays for the plugs behind the seats. They used a few different voltages and controllers. I do not think there is much difference. I have a 1988 and it fires right up. The posts you read about lots of clicks are people having trouble with the systems. I would say glow plug problems are rare on the delica's usually connected to needed maintenance of the system. Not a real issue.

most important is that it has been properly serviced. I do not think there much difference between the years. L400 L300 big differences.

[fexlboi]

In the latest l300s there is no clicking sound anymore. If you start the Delica the first time of the day, you need to wait about 1-3 seconds till the glow plug light goes out, after that every time you want to start the van again, you pretty much don't have to wait anymore to crank it over.

[VirtualJJ]

Yeah, Flexboi, I noticed that.. I have a late 93 L300 and I was always wondering about when people say they were "cycling" their glowplugs.. ....I just wait until the light goes off and then it starts.

I do however hear a click when the relay engages, but not when it disengages.

[oudbak]

Yeah, Flexboi, I noticed that.. I have a late 93 L300 and I was always wondering about when people say they were "cycling" their glowplugs.. ....I just wait until the light goes off and then it starts.

I do however hear a click when the relay engages, but not when it disengages.

Ok so no big difference then just a slightly improved system just worried about the cold now out in saskatchabush are you running dual batteries? or the biggest battery that fits in there!

[VirtualJJ]

Oudbak-

I've just got the one battery, but I'm not really wintering my machine this season. It starts with no assistance down to -10, And I've never even tried to crank it over if it is -15 or less.

(hopefully next winter, with upgrades, we will use it more)

[fexlboi]

We took the dual battery system out and installed only one starter battery. Never had a problem down to -15.