Problem with 2.4L Powered Defender

[Wallaby Ted]

Hi,

I was on route to Fraser Island yesterday driving up the Bruce highway when my 2010 110 started struggling. It started feeling like I was driving into a head wind and then would disappear. As we went further it got worse and it started coughing and spluttering and it felt like the motor was cutting out.

As we were only about 50km from Gympie I decided to stop there and see if we could diagnose it before continuing as it was getting harder and harder to accelerate and climb hills as if I pushed the accelerator too much it would start the missing again and blow puffs of black smoke.

So we stopped at Gold City Landrover Spares at Gympie and the gentleman there was really helpful but explained he didn't normally work on the newer defenders and though I might need to replace the fuel pump. Then when I tried to start the 110 again, it would not start without some aerostart into the air pipe.

This is when I decided to head home as this would need to be sorted before trying to drive on the san, but I could only about 40km south of Gympie and the 110 couldn't do more than 40km/h, so I had to get it and the trailer home on a flatbed.

I have remapped the 110 and I had had trouble with the pump relearn and Pete Bell had suggested that the VCV could be on the way out.

Is this the likely cause of this issue or should I be looking for something else? I have already got a new VCV on order but it hadn't arrived yet, so I may be trying to find where I can get one locally in Brisbane on Monday.

I have read most of the other threads and could not really work out what people had replaced to fix their issue so if anyone can assist that would be appreciated.

Thanks

Richard

[1nando]

Sounds like vcv....

Sent from my SM-G925I using AULRO mobile app

[Beery]

Changed your fuel filter lately?
Could also be a bad tank of fuel.

[Wallaby Ted]

I topped up the fuel (50l out of 120l) before I left Brisbane, so I did over 100Km before it started showing any symptoms.

I am planning to try and drain some out of the bottom of the filter as I am not sure when it was last done but I think it was about 10000Km ago and I have done a trip through central Australia a couple of months ago of 7500KM.

I was planning to do the filter as I have an glass bowl to add to the bottom of it just work has been hectic so a lot of things didn't get done.

Thanks

Richard

[ozy013]

As the others have said, change your fuel filter, then fit the new VCV when it arrives. The VCV is very susceptible to contaminated fuel, and it doesn't take much to kill it.

I had the same problem with my 2.4 awhile ago, and changing the VCV then a pump learn fixed my issues. Hope you get it sorted.

[Wallaby Ted]

I need to get onto it tomorrow to get the filter and another vcv in case the other takes too long to arrive (from OS) as none of the normal retailers could seem to do either.

Is there anything else I am going to need to do such as emptying the whole fuel system?

I hopefully will have this sorted by next weekend and will go then.


Thanks

Richard


As the others have said, change your fuel filter, then fit the new VCV when it arrives. The VCV is very susceptible to contaminated fuel, and it doesn't take much to kill it.

I had the same problem with my 2.4 awhile ago, and changing the VCV then a pump learn fixed my issues. Hope you get it sorted.

[ozy013]

I change my fuel filter every 10,000k's when I service the vehicle.

My vehicle has an aftermarket Long Ranger tank, which is easy to drain. The standard tank is a pain to empty. At this stage probably change the filter a couple or so times within the 10k period.
Depending on whether you believe in it or not, plenty of threads on it :angel:, you can also throw in some fuel system cleaner. Usually just before I change out the filter, I bung some of this into the tank, Complete Fuel System Cleaner Diesel - Wynn's Australia (http://www.wynns.net/product/i/complete-fuel-system-cleaner-diesel). There's plenty of similar products out there.

I got my VCV from overseas, some Transit store in the UK, but I know of at least two people who have used United Fuel Injection in WA and highly recommend them. The price is a bit more, but you may get it quicker than from OS. LAND ROVER DEFENDER 2.4L SUCTION CONTROL VALVE. 294200-0360 294009-0260 (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/171275755251?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)

[POD]

I had intermittent power loss in my 2.4 on the last day of a 9-week trip a couple of years ago, it was due to a broken wire at the turbo actuator. The symptoms sound similar, would lose turbo boost thus very low on power, then would go into limp mode which could be reset by switching ignition off & back on (this does not always work to reset limp mode). If you can get someone to read the fault codes from the ECU it will help point you in the right direction.

[Wallaby Ted]

Unfortunately when it was plugged into a diagnostic device the mechanic had it didn't show any fault.

After not started at all again yesterday, it did start again this morning albeit not straight up as normal and then wasn't running very well and any acceleration made it start missing.

Going to get a VCV and fuel filter and swap this week to see if that fixes it.

Richard


I had intermittent power loss in my 2.4 on the last day of a 9-week trip a couple of years ago, it was due to a broken wire at the turbo actuator. The symptoms sound similar, would lose turbo boost thus very low on power, then would go into limp mode which could be reset by switching ignition off & back on (this does not always work to reset limp mode). If you can get someone to read the fault codes from the ECU it will help point you in the right direction.

[eckwalsh]

Had a similar problem with my 2008 puma a number of years ago and then about 12 months ago. The problem I had was a blockage in The fuel tank sender unit. The first time the dealer ended up finding it and the second I did it myself. Effectively remove tne tank from the car and then remove the sender/pick up out of the tank. I blew out these hoses with compressed air and vasoline looking gease csme out of them that was causing a blockage. Cleaned and replaced all components. Works fine now. No stopping or stuttering.

[eckwalsh]

117055

117056

Here is a pic of the unit and the sludge its the corrigated pipes you need to clean

[Wallaby Ted]

Ok, I finally had the VCV turn up, so I pulled it out and I think I have discovered the problem. I had a strong petrol smell, so I have drained the tank by removing the balancing tube from the front runner auxiliary tank and drained that as well.

I put in roughly about 1/3 tank which would have only put a few litres into the main tank and the rest in the auxiliary and only did about 200 km so would have only used 1/2 the auxiliary tank

I was sure I picked up the diesel and so was my son who was in the car with me, but the receipt says it was unleaded so I don't know what has happened.

So what should I do next? Drop the tank (or is what i have done enough as the balance pipe is near the bottom of the tank) and empty the fuel lines, or do is there something else I should be doing?

Thanks

Richard

[isuzurover]

Sorry to hear Richard.

In general petrol won't cause any catastrophic failure.
I have seen research (commonrail) diesels run on up to 85% petrol blends on dynos (not well, but they did run without doing permanent damage).

There are 2 issues:
1. Petrol has almost zero lubricity, so your pump and injectors will wear rapidly.
2. The aromatics will make rubber and plastics swell and could cause them to leak/fail.

Drain it, change the filter, then change it again after a few tanks of diesel.

[Wallaby Ted]

Just to let everyone know,

I had the car taken down to Greg Tunstall at Cleveland and they have re-primed the fuel system and everything seem to be running fine.

Thanks all for your assistance.


Richard