Under powered 300tdi - please help

[sam.thompson07]

Hey guys
Just really started to notice my 300 tdi disco has become considerably underpowered. Only had the car for about 3 months and up until last week i never really had anything to worry about.
Its a 97 manual tdi and i had the clutch replaced last weekend. The last few days getting off at the lights and up driveways its so underpowered. Some steep driveways i will almost stall if i am not reving the guts out of it. I have even put it into low range on some. Once im doing into second then im off and away but its reallt noticable pulling off from a curb on a slight incline.

I didnt really notice it untill i got it back from the mechanic who did the clutch.

I was really just wanting to see if anyone has experienced this problem, obviously something is wearing out pistons maybe ? i dunno but its giving me the tom tits!!

Oh well hope that someone can let me know whats going on
Cheers

Sam

[87County]

You'll find that manual gearbox models suffer from this somewhat; I think that the owners handbook recommends using low-range for steeper starts (there are other threads on this site).

Other than this, there are mechanical faults (some simple - some not so simple) that can cause this: from stretching of the accel cable (adjustable) through delamination of the turbo hoses (replaceable) to other fuel supply and mechanical faults.

Start looking at the simplest first (adjust the freeplay of the accel cable at the pump).

Actually the turbo needs to be spinning to get the torque and this won't happen as well if it's cold or below 1500rpm) - hence the low-range recommendation....but read the threads as to cautions about lo-hi range changes (which are basically - if you are inexperienced stop the vehicle to do so).

As usual, we have to be ready to adjust our driving habits and expectations when changing vehicles....(and these are marginally powered for today's suburban habits). In short, your motor car may be OK.

A lot of people find getting used to attempting to slot into a heavy traffic stream the most nerve-wracking to begin with. These are the occasions I have found it most needs to be warm and given a bootfull of loud pedal (particularly if you step into it after driving a petrol powered motor car).

hope this helps - Laurie

[VladTepes]

Freakish.

I have recently noticed similar issues with my 300Tdi 130 Defender. Even after I have had the fuel pump "tickle up" that M.R.Automotive do (which has made a difference to power ONCE UP AND RUNNING) the problem you mention is still there.

Off road recently there were a few very long steep hills which made life a bit less than enjoyable, when usually such things would make my day !

It's driving me to frustration !

I'll be watching this thread....

[pommie]

Hey guys
Just really started to notice my 300 tdi disco has become considerably underpowered. Only had the car for about 3 months and up until last week i never really had anything to worry about.
Its a 97 manual tdi and i had the clutch replaced last weekend. The last few days getting off at the lights and up driveways its so underpowered. Some steep driveways i will almost stall if i am not reving the guts out of it. I have even put it into low range on some. Once im doing into second then im off and away but its reallt noticable pulling off from a curb on a slight incline.

I didnt really notice it untill i got it back from the mechanic who did the clutch.

I was really just wanting to see if anyone has experienced this problem, obviously something is wearing out pistons maybe ? i dunno but its giving me the tom tits!!

Oh well hope that someone can let me know whats going on
Cheers

Sam

I had a Defender 300tdi power problem on a long journey just recently - especially when very cold. Problem taking off, and problem uphill. My air filter needed replacement, as it was very quickly fully blocked by a long very high dust and very high humidity run. It's amazing how quickly you can suck in crap.

[disco_mitch]

i bought my 300tdi last week and it was terrible, i replaced the air filter which was bad and put injector cleaner through it and desiel additive in this tank and now it goes great guns start with the simple things

[VladTepes]

I have just had mine serviced - new air filter, injector clean - problem remains !

[Bush65]

Also:

Steep up-hill could be the fuel lift pump. On low slopes the injection pump can pull fuel from the tank, but it could struggle on a steep up-hill without a functioning lift pump. Be aware that if the diaphragm in the lift pump is leaking, it can allow diesel to contaminate the engine oil, which can lead to engine wear.

Partial fuel filter blockage, contaminated fuel (diesel snot) will also reduce power.

Worn timing belt can lead to retarded injection timing which will affect power.

If looked after, they will normally do heaps of km's before piston/cylinder wear is an issue.

[slug_burner]

If you have confidence that you are not expecting too much at very low revs check the obvious.

To change your clutch, they pulled the transmission, somethngs may have been altered. Handbrake? When the transmission was pulled the engine may have pivoted on the engine mounts and pulled on the hoses (although fan blades would have pushed against rad and then you would have a leaking rad). Check the hoses going to and from the turbo and intercooler, ensure there are no leaks (I once had a split hose on the 90 degree elbow coming from the turbo, it had also lost a bit of zing).

air in take, check filter, could also have a collapsed hose.


Good luck

[sam.thompson07]

Thats great fellas ill go and have another sticky beak under the bonnet again. I have replaced my diesel pump only 6,000 kms and its all sweet still as my mech checked it over last week.

Only did a service on it the week before clutch kicked the bucket: new air and oil filter, engine oil, gearbox oil done on clutch, transfer oil done on clutch and i did the diffs myself.

Timing belt is all sweet. It is running really smokey so i suspect that it might have something to do with the injectors but ill let u know what i find and if i dont then ill let you know hoe many thousands it cost me to repair! haha

Cheers

Sam

[Mick-Kelly]

Go with the simplest first. Open bonnet and check throttle cable adjustment. They are prone to slack cables because of that useless plastic nut. make sure its nice and tight and i guarantee you will notice a difference.

[Bush65]

Thats great fellas ill go and have another sticky beak under the bonnet again. I have replaced my diesel pump only 6,000 kms and its all sweet still as my mech checked it over last week.

Only did a service on it the week before clutch kicked the bucket: new air and oil filter, engine oil, gearbox oil done on clutch, transfer oil done on clutch and i did the diffs myself.

Timing belt is all sweet. It is running really smokey so i suspect that it might have something to do with the injectors but ill let u know what i find and if i dont then ill let you know hoe many thousands it cost me to repair! haha

Cheers

Sam
What colour smoke?

However, if you have a lot of black smoke that wasn't there when the power was ok:

not getting enough air - what others have said plus check for bad turbo

bad injector - but injectors are normally trouble free

timing has slipped

or something has resulted in a loss of compression

[Disco_owner]

Just a long shot , but If you are getting loss of Power , I would check
Fuel Sedimenter for sludge and give it a thorough clean:).

[Cap]

No mechanic I am, but I heard that the turbo hose can colapse inside (outside looks fine) and that could give you some grief...

[ssv8pilot]

I had exactly the same sluggish symptoms on my 200. I have just added some injector cleaner (wynns) to the tank and that has made a noticeable difference.

Will see if this is a long term or short term fix.

[wheresthedog]

Hey guys
Just really started to notice my 300 tdi disco has become considerably underpowered. Only had the car for about 3 months and up until last week i never really had anything to worry about.
Its a 97 manual tdi and i had the clutch replaced last weekend. The last few days getting off at the lights and up driveways its so underpowered. Some steep driveways i will almost stall if i am not reving the guts out of it. I have even put it into low range on some. Once im doing into second then im off and away but its reallt noticable pulling off from a curb on a slight incline.

I didnt really notice it untill i got it back from the mechanic who did the clutch.

I was really just wanting to see if anyone has experienced this problem, obviously something is wearing out pistons maybe ? i dunno but its giving me the tom tits!!

Oh well hope that someone can let me know whats going on
Cheers

Sam

Hi Sam,

How did you go with this problem? I am having a similar problem with my '98 300 TDi Disco. It's got nothing until the turbo kicks in at about 1500-2000 revs, then its away.

I have had the car for a couple of years and it seems to have gotten considerably worse in the last few months. I have recently had the diesel injector pump replaced. This has resolved a few other issues but has only served to highlight the low revs power problem. I have previosuly had a power output problem due to fuel blockages from dirty diesel but this tended to be evident through the entire rev range.

A mate from work thinks it sounds like a dodgy EGR valve, though I have read conflicting reports on whether the 300 TDi actually has one (and haven't been able to identify one under the bonnet myself - not really sure what to look for?)

Any ideas?

Cheers

Tim

[Bush65]

Hi Sam,

How did you go with this problem? I am having a similar problem with my '98 300 TDi Disco. It's got nothing until the turbo kicks in at about 1500-2000 revs, then its away.

I have had the car for a couple of years and it seems to have gotten considerably worse in the last few months. I have recently had the diesel injector pump replaced. This has resolved a few other issues but has only served to highlight the low revs power problem. I have previosuly had a power output problem due to fuel blockages from dirty diesel but this tended to be evident through the entire rev range.

A mate from work thinks it sounds like a dodgy EGR valve, though I have read conflicting reports on whether the 300 TDi actually has one (and haven't been able to identify one under the bonnet myself - not really sure what to look for?)

Any ideas?

Cheers

Tim
Australian 300Tdi didn't require EGR.

On the top of the exhaust manifold, near the turbo flange, you should see a flat oval shaped plate, fastened to the manifold by 2 screws. This plate blanks off the EGR port on Aus 300Tdi's.

Adjust valve/tappet clearance, check injection timing, check boost pressure and anything else suggested above.

[wheresthedog]

Thanks John,

Will let you know how I go.

Cheers

Tim

[mcrover]

I had exactly the same sluggish symptoms on my 200. I have just added some injector cleaner (wynns) to the tank and that has made a noticeable difference.

Will see if this is a long term or short term fix.

Even my Wynns Rep at work recomends Diesel power over their injector cleaner for diesels.

His words were......"Ours doesnt work as good as one called Diesel power, I cant sell it to you but you can get it down the road".

Their Grease is brilliant though :D

I'd put $ on throttle cable adhustment, they probably lifted the motor out to do the clutch.:p

[dullbird]

I know this might sound really stupid.....BUT.....check your tyre pressure, at one stage my 300tdi disco felt really really sluggish off the line. We wondered what it could be and then I checked my tyre pressure.

Although still up there I think they were 28/30 I was running 38 at one stage knocked them up to 35 and the car went like a pocket rocket....it just felt like I was draggin flat tyres around....

sorry this one is a long shot, and not really aimed at the low rev's climbing hills only the others claiming the slugishness

oh and x2 to the throttle cable......and then to the turbo hose delaminating on the inside

[back_in]

Hi All
when I got my 300 10 years ago
the salesman told me when I thought it did not have much go
told me to put the seat forward a notch
the other thing that did wonders was the gas injection i put on 15 month ago
300's must Like all need a good air supply
clean air cleaners
clean the inter-cooler
they can block up with crud.
tyre pressures too low
hand brake hanging on
blocked fuel filter
fuel lines blocked or been squashed it you have had work done on lately
there could be many reasons
cheers
Ian

[VladTepes]

sigh - it's like trying to run down a unicorn - difficult to find and harder to catch !

[camel_landy]

Id be checking the following:


Air filter.
Air hoses leading to the turbo (prone to collapse at this age).
Clean intercooler.
Empty sedimenter.
Check injector pump boost adjust mechanism. Can seize & recently I've come across a couple where the diaphragm has split.


The 300TDi is a fairly simple engine so I'd go back to first principles of something wrong with the Fuel vs Air vs Ignition mix.

HTH

M