2001 SsangYong Musso TDI Exec. from South Africa - Comments

Believe it or not. Nothing!!

Later model (my second Musso) do have improvements that made it a serious 4x4 vehicle.

Air-conditioning needs to be improved for better distribution in the cab.

My dealer (Peco in Pretoria) must be the best in the World!

I hope that you will reply as I do need a qualified expert to assist me.

I less than three months ago bought a 1998 Musso 2.9 TDI with around 128,000 km on the odometer. I did not buy it from your Dealership although I visisted twice - you had nothing in my price range. I found that the vehicle I purchased had many faults, including oil leaks on the Gearbox and the Engine Sump. I insisted that before Bankfin pay the settlement to the dealer, that they sign and stamp the list of repairs. Including a full service and the repair to the oil leaks. After three weeks the dealer eventually took back the car for repairs. It came back three weeks later, with the oils leaks still in place. Many of the other minor repairs also still not yet done. I was informed that the vehicle had a full service history, but as yet the dealer has not been able to find the Service Booklet for me to check.

When I received the vehicle back the first time I saw no difference. When I received it back the second time the dealer had put 475 km on the odometer and the engine would not cut when switched off. It merely kept on idling. After taking it back, the vehicle now idles for approximately 10 seconds before stalling. After them tap dancing around the issue, they again stated, we should bring the vehicle in for repairs. This after the vehicle was in our possesion 21 days of the first two months.

By last week Thursday, the oil leaks were still there. I put grease on the drive shaft and other necessary areas as they were totally dry. I also put oil into the engine. I did not top up the Gearbox as I do not have the correct tool to do so. I drove probably 150 km on Friday at no more than 110km/hr. Most of the time it was much less as we travelled to Hout Bay. On Saturday around lunch time I returned from a shopping centre. I drove 150 meters from the robot and started slowing for a turn at the next robot. As I put the vehicle into a lower gear I heard a tremendous noise in the engine. I thought the Gearbox had gone, but it sounded more like the engine and further it sounded as though the exhaust had come off. I took the turn and parked the Musso some 70 meters further in a secure area. Only when someone from Hyundai (Somerset West) came past and assisted, he pointed out that the #4 cylinder had gone through the Block. He expects it is the con-rod that went. The oil that came out was pitch black. In fact the oil has been that colour since I received the vehicle. Although the dealer assured me that the vehicle had been serviced. The parts, such as the fuel filter had not been replaced with the 130,000 km (supposed) service. The part was market two days after I bought the vehicle and was still the same part when the con-rod went.

The vehicle has now done 131,000 km. The dealer who sold us the vehicle quickly came to collect the vehicle and took it to their workshop.

I need to know from an expert (I am told you are) what causes this. Is it possibly an inferior vehicle? Is it that the past servicing was not kept up and as such the vehicle took too much strain? If the oil level dropped to less than the required amount, would this have an influence on the con-rods? I know a bit about cars, nothing about 4x4 and even less about turbo charging.

Please help me with your advice. I must sort out in my mind if I made a mistake buying a Musso, or if I made a mistake buying that specific Musso.

Kind regards

Gerald Randall.

You made a mistake buying that particular one - your problems sound like a bad dealer and a bad car. Those engines are highly reliable in the Mercedes Sprinter and are well liked in the UK.

Greg.

Hi, sad to hear you had such problems with your Musso, but it sounds more like a dealership issue and lack of service of essential components i. e oil changes, which on a diesel, are essential.

I have a 1999 Musso -non turbo- with 87 000km and the only hassle so far has been handbrake adjustments. We live in Zululand where the vehicle 4x4 system is frequently required. I also tow a ski boat with mine and actively use the low range 4x4. The rest of the mechanics are sound. Hope this helps..

Hi, I currently have my second 602 TDi Musso. First one was 1996 model which had the alpine turbo and standard leaks on the gearbox when bought. The engine leak was optional...

I now have a 2000 model 602 Tdi Exec and 177000km! So far no leaks and still highly reliable.

I would say your problem would be because of poor service! These 5 cyl Merc engines run off SVO (straight vegetable Oil) - not good for the diesel pump though. The earlier models had the problem with the handbrake and oil leak on transmission because of poor mounting brackets etc. 2000 Ssang Yong redesigned the Musso and sorted out everything.

DL@telkomsa.net.

Hi well I`m going to buy a Musso Sport 4x4 fully executive, well I would like you to advice me if it will be a good idea for buying it or not please help me.

Thank you,

LTeepoo.

Hi Ssangyong is very new in Perth, Australia and I am looking at buying the 2004 musso 290 auto 2.9 turbo diesel with 60 000km and don't know a lot about them. I am interested in your view on how reliable they are (body and engine)? And any thing I should check for or ask before buying this car.

Regard Rob.

I bay a 2002 602 musso and gearbox problems looking to get the factorys e mail adress please no one can ficks the gearbox.dealership wery poor in capetown,cost runs over 20 000 00 rand for repears still noisy.complain from bayingdate no one help me my e adress is fhwconstruction@telkomsa.net thanks for reading my e mail awie fourie wes coast south africa cellno 0832295089.

HI I am Billy

I just bought Sangyong Boxer E 320 1997 I have problem on Gear box (matic) The gear does nt want to fo down to 1st gear

send to Service station and replace the Vavle body of Matic Gear and now running well; I got on 96000 km; I have change

the breaking pad of front tyre;

Engine oil leaking is the main problem due to lo quality seal

of main engine between gear box and engine

to replace this you must remove the matic gear even though the seal is not expensive;

Those who are intend to buy this car think twice because the part are difficult to find;