Help with Diagnosing Low Power Output

[smack]

Hi All,

Long time lurker – first time poster here.


I’m relatively new to Defender ownership having acquired my 2012, 2.2 90 at the beginning of 2021. The car has low kilometers with circa 83,000 on the clock, additionally it was serviced recently along with a pink slip only 300km ago.



Now we get to the interesting part., over the weekend I started to experience a few low power issues of which I would love some help diagnosing.



Over the course of a 45-minute drive, I noticed that the power output was starting to significantly drop after about 15-20 minutes into the drive. I was needing to rev the engine much higher than usual to get the previous level of power output I was accustomed to. Particularly more prominent in 1^st and 2^nd gear with the engine quickly getting up to 3000RPM before any significant power output.

Additionally, I noticed when shifting from 4^th to 3^rd, not only was there a noticeable difference in way the shift felt but there was a significant decrease in the ability to rev match and what I would characterize as a lower level of power.

I'm thinking that perhaps the clutch might need replacement, however I don’t notice any distinctive slipping so I'm unsure. My regular Land Rover Specialist has just given me a phone quote for clutch replacement of $3.3k for the install of a new OEM clutch.

From some other research I have read that it could also be the EGR valve or a leaking boost hose?



Based on the above, does anyone have any idea on what could be causing this issue? Any advice would be greatly appreciated and please let me know if you need any additional information.


Cheers

[Robmacca]

I assume u have checked/replaced Fuel & Filters, etc?

When u first start the engine - how does it idle?

[POD]

Clutch unlikely unless the engine is revving without the vehicle making progress to match. Is the MIL light ('check engine' light)on? Have you had the fault codes checked? The fault codes are the standard way to determine what system is the source of a problem. And yes, air and fuel filters should be checked & probably renewed.

[HardCharger]

As above, replace the filters, check the intercooler hoses, also replace the VCV as it may be already be long in the tooth. If all these are done and it still acts the way it does, then maybe new clutch bits are really called for.

[DiscoMick]

Was the clutch rattling? There was a recall for clutches with weak springs which rattled and eventually failed, but I thought it only affected the early Pumas, such as our 2009.
BTW I thought the upgraded LR replacement clutch only cost about $1600 plus labour from memory. We fitted an AP HD clutch.

[POD]

I'm puzzled how a discussion of lack of power has headed toward the clutch. Smack, if you have a mechanic telling you that the lack of power is due to the clutch, find another mechanic. If you have diagnosed this yourself and just asked him for a quote on a new clutch, you'd be better off asking him to diagnose the lack of power. This forum can be a great help with such matters but I think the clutch talk threw things off track; it sure doesn't sound like you have a slipping clutch so perhaps investigate the things that have been suggested that might impede fuel and air getting to the engine. Have your mechanic read the fault codes and talk to him / her about where to go from there. I have experienced loss of power due to a broken wire in the turbo actuator harness on my 2008 Puma, it was the fault codes that told me where to start looking.

[Larry]

As above, replace the filters, check the intercooler hoses, also replace the VCV as it may be already be long in the tooth. If all these are done and it still acts the way it does, then maybe new clutch bits are really called for.

Intercooler hoses or the intercooler its self?
I've had both go on my 90 & loss of power was the main symptom with each.

What part of Sydney are you in?

[HardCharger]

Now that you mention it, while you're checking your intercooler hoses, check your intercooler as well