Thread: unexplainable power (TD5)

Is it using engine oil?

Originally Posted by Aaron

Has anyone had a fairly large increase in power after the engine temp is well up to temperature?

First gear is very jumpy/jerky
Second gear a bit, but hits boost very quick
third/fourth/fith all get into boost quickly


Apart from first gear, its a joy to drive but when its unexplainable and only started happening, its concerning.

Cheers
Aaron

if it was an aircraft i would suggest stuck wastegate,
however i don't know much[read 'anything'] about how the turbo is controlled on a td5

The Td5 in my experience was always a bit sluggish when cold, but what you are describing sounds like a more extreme post-warm-up boost spool-up than usual. Having said that, the Td5 does let you know when boost kicks in more than many other turbo-diesel engines I've driven. I don't know about wastegate or any other potential fault stuff.

I once had a Jeep TD which, after one service, suddenly seemed to spool up earlier and with more force. I was sure the mechanic changed the boost settings but never sought to confirm it as I was just happy with the apparent performance increase.

I'm watching this thread because I don't know. In my experience the td5 isn't really happy until it's warmed... but I don't doubt there is something else at play here.

Had the same thing with my TD5 manual. It went away after I gave it a good service and changed all filters and used 5/40 synthetic oil.

It still takes a bit to warm up in winter especially the manual g/box must treat it very carefully untill warm. The good thing about cold weater is once warmed up the cold air improves performance quite a bit.

By the way when it was playing up it used to stall very easily as well which made me think at the time that the fly by wire throttle was faulty.

Mike

Thanks for the replies guys.

Being my first LR/TD5 its been hard to know whats normal and whats not. Which is why for a while I thought it was the cooler weather (first winter with a TD) for me.

A few months ago I thought it was a clutch issue because of the 1st gear take off. Then it went away and I took the "meh" attitude putting it down to quirks of a LR and winter.

Last few days its been out of control when its been happening.

Harry, I did a bit of *quick* (2mins max) research on trouble shooting turbo problems, and waste gate sticking was scanned over by my eyes, which got me thinking.

I always thought it was an engine temperature related problem, but my driving style to work means driving out the drive way, and not stopping till after a 15 minute drive down the high way, where I usually get a red light. This problem always kicks in after I stop... Perhaps this is when things get a chance to stick. Also, to further back up my theory on it sticking is the fact that there seems to be different levels of power gains, from what can be described as sublime, to psychotic (this morning).

While we are talking winter with TD5's, All R380's are crap in winter untill the oil warms up right?

Engine is at 87000 - last service done 7k ago with recomended spec oils grades.

My troubling shooting source - Land Rover Solutions - Turbo Care

Originally Posted by Aaron

... All R380's are crap in winter untill the oil warms up right?

Engine is at 87000 - last service done 7k ago with recomended spec oils grades.

Try Castrol Syntrans in the R380.

You didn't answer my earlier question, is it using engine oil?

Your symptoms are not unlike a diesel engine that builds up oil in the inlet, which goes through in bursts. The unexpected power increase is due to burning extra fuel oil.

There are several ways that the oil can get into the inlet manifold.