Puma 130 limp mode

[bemm52]

After competing the Anne Beadell, Birdsville and Strezleki plus numerous other side tracks my 130 decided it needed a rest between Gammon Ranges and Yunta SA
Engine light is on, fault is showing as MAFSensor
couldn’t find a replacement air filter any where so blew out the one I had, and cleaned the sensor with the correct cleaner
All good no limp mode but check light wouldn’t go out, got to Adelaide for the night next morning check light not on when l started the vehicle and no apparent limp mode around city
This morning we left for Victoria and on an ascent out of Adelaide light comes on and so does limp mode.
Have ordered an air filter which I will pick up in Ballarat and head on to Melbourne

Engine is not overheating as I have a digital over heating sensor

Question which mechanic in Melbourne to get things checked and possibly fixed (changed turbo hoses to silicon some time ago but it doesn’t fell like a turbo problem)

171604

Cheers Paul

[jon3950]

I’d put my money on a split intercooler - just been through the same thing myself and replaced the standard intercooler with a BAS one.

How’s the Anne Beadell at the moment? Planning on doing it in August.

Cheers,
Jon

[bemm52]

I’d put my money on a split intercooler - just been through the same thing myself and replaced the standard intercooler with a BAS one.

How’s the Anne Beadell at the moment? Planning on doing it in August.

Cheers,
Jon

anne Beadell all good in dry weather
corrugations around Marralinga will try to break your spirit and your car though

171607

Cheers Paul

[Larry]

I’d put my money on a split intercooler - just been through the same thing myself and replaced the standard intercooler with a BAS one.

How’s the Anne Beadell at the moment? Planning on doing it in August.

Cheers,
Jon
Yep, mine just replaced (standard one though) also with the same symptoms.

[jon3950]

Is that a corrugation or a dune? [bigsad]

Is that the road in to Maralinga?

[bemm52]

Is that a corrugation or a dune? [bigsad]

Is that the road in to Maralinga?

Thats the Anne Beadell near Maralinga SA road into Emu and ground zero is quiet good section from Coober Pedy is bad
we went west to east very slow trip in SA

Cheers Paul

[skidrov]

Mechanic in Melbourne: Les Richmond Automotive in Thomastown IF you can get in. Would call/book early as possible.

[bemm52]

Mechanic in Melbourne: Les Richmond Automotive in Thomastown IF you can get in. Would call/book early as possible.

22nd July unfortunately but they said they would take look and have a listen so I’ll head there
parts place in Ballarat let me down with filter so limping towards Melbourne

Cheers Paul

[skidrov]

Don't know if this helps: if it's intercooler, I have a standard intercooler in the shed doing nothing. It's from my MY10 2.4, as removed when upgrading to a BAS unit. Should be ok, was fine but it is as-removed about 4 years ago. Dunno if it's right for your car?

Yours if it helps, PM if it sounds like it moves you forward, we'll sort something out?

[jon3950]

Intercoolers are the same on 2.2 and 2.4. Also worth adding its a simple job to replace.

That would be a great result as it would give you the time to get a BAS intercooler when you get home. Much more solid unit.

[oldyella 76]

Try Lynn at Romsey British Auto 3 Mitchel Court Romsey Ph 54295021 They are out of Melbourne and her head mechanic is good bloke. They are busy but have the latest diagnostic gear.
Lindsay

[spudfan]

You are not alone. Here is a post from Defender2. It concerns an after market intercooler by BAS. They are honouring the warranty by repairing it.
DEFENDER2.NET - Log In (https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic79020.html)

[bemm52]

A bit of an update after much thought decided to try an unravel this problem with time and a cool head.
Revving motor there is some expansion in hoses so I’m guessing intercooler OK
Limp mode seems to happen in rain
Checked inlet hose from snorkel to air cleaner box and found a small tear/ split which I have fixed.......maybe water and or dust getting in through tear and causing resistance to air flow through filter
Replaced air filter
Cleaned MAF sensor
As we are holed up with family had time to do all this as a result engine check light off and engine revving as it should
We still have to get back to Bemm but maybe problem is fixed will do some road testing with the trailer back on at highway speeds with hills tomorrow with the view to heading home Monday
If problem comes back will visit Les Richmond Monday I’m guessing if I go now with no fault light they really can’t diagnose anything

Cheers Paul

[jon3950]

Still sounds like the intercooler to me. An air leak before the MAF sensor won't cause a fault. It throws an error because the amount of air the MAF sensor is measuring is different to what the engine is getting.

If what you've done doesn't fix it, I would suggest your next step is to pull out the intercooler and check it. It's a bit of a process but really isn't difficult, although the silicone hoses can be a bit of pain to put back on. This thread shows what's involved: Allisport intercooler installation (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/167232-allisport-intercooler-installation.html)

They generally split around the plastic header tanks and are usually easy to spot by an oily stain.

Good luck.

Cheers,
Jon

[bemm52]

I took car to ULR in Malvern to see if they had any clues and struck a friendly service manager who took a look they also are booked out
He is leaning towards split hose or intercooler
The passenger side intercooler hose is oily which may mean split cooler he hinted it was a problem
So on his advice I’ll start looking again

171666 I’m guessing winch and bar will have to come off to gain access to cooler will first remove shroud on top of the radiator and see what I can see
And will check turbo hoses

CheersPaul

[Tombie]

Was going to say. More likely hose split than intercooler. Will be one of those 2 though.

No, the bar and winch can stay on. Did our upgrade with it all on.

[Tombie]

anne Beadell all good in dry weather
corrugations around Marralinga will try to break your spirit and your car though

171607

Cheers Paul

They’ve gotten smaller!

[skidrov]

My car has the LR rubber A-bar. When I did mine (to go to a BAS unit), I only had to unbolt the top mounts from A-bar to radiator support - the A-bar didn't need to come off.

With luck, it should just be shroud, radiator support and then into the guts of it. With everybody's favourite part: the hoses!!! But, given that you're going standard-cooler-to-standard cooler, won't be quite as bad, I think.

[Larry]

I took car to ULR in Malvern to see if they had any clues and struck a friendly service manager who took a look they also are booked out
He is leaning towards split hose or intercooler
The passenger side intercooler hose is oily which may mean split cooler he hinted it was a problem
So on his advice I’ll start looking again

171666 I’m guessing winch and bar will have to come off to gain access to cooler will first remove shroud on top of the radiator and see what I can see
And will check turbo hoses

CheersPaul
Winch & bar should be able to be left in situ, just the shroud & grille.
This was mine looking from above.

[bemm52]

Looking ,looking ,looking so far no split hoses and intercooler seems OK
Perhaps I should mention problem only occurs when engine is at operating temperature

Cheers Paul

[jon3950]

Funny, everything you have described so far matches exactly what happened with mine when I split my intercooler. Have you been able to get to the horrible little hose on to the throttle body? Thats the other likely place for a split if its not the intercooler.

The two other things that can cause the MAF sensor error (at least that I know of) are a stuffed sensor or an earthing problem. Have you got something that can read the output from the sensor, or access to another sensor to eliminate it?

[bemm52]

Funny, everything you have described so far matches exactly what happened with mine when I split my intercooler. Have you been able to get to the horrible little hose on to the throttle body? Thats the other likely place for a split if its not the intercooler.

The two other things that can cause the MAF sensor error (at least that I know of) are a stuffed sensor or an earthing problem. Have you got something that can read the output from the sensor, or access to another sensor to eliminate it?

I have another sensor in another vehicle but unfortunately it’s at home
After much searching and plugging and unplugging of sensors with my brother-in-law yesterday we are going to visit Rovacare on the way home and see what can be done, Spoke to Martin on the phone

Cheers Paul

[bemm52]

Went and saw Martin at Rovacare who kindly offered his expertise and workshop.
Fault code still MAF sensor, we smoke tested for leaks in hoses...nil but we did find a slight weep in the radiator so as it stands faulty MAF sensor or intercooler, so l have decided to limp home to Bemm (staying tonight in Sale)
when home I will swap sensor from wife’s car to eliminate that, if problem persists I’m assuming intercooler will be easier to access with radiator removed which I have to do anyway to replace it
Martin said the intercooler should be pressure tested as smoke will not always show leaks in it, my mates 2.2 puma has about 24psi of boost on his gauge so I’m guessing 30psi would be plenty to check intercooler if a split is not obvious


Cheers Paul

[jon3950]

Good luck. If it is the intercooler perhaps the trip home will open it up a bit and make it easier to find.

Cheers,
Jon

[bemm52]

MAF sensor OK

Cheers Paul