Binding Clutch?

Hello,

Well I've gone through everything I can think of with regards to the rough / lumpy idle on my 200tdi. I have checked and then re-echecked the timing, re-conned my injectors, installed a new IP and even re-plumbed my entire fuel line with nylon pipe and brass compression fittings and still no joy. All pipes and hoses are new, no delamination and the engine is well serviced.

I have however, noticed that the lumpy idle problem ONLY occurs when I am stationary with the vehicle pointing up hill. It idles fine on the flat, or when facing down hill. I have also realised that when slowly coming off the clutch in first gear, or when crawling in first gear, my 90 is kangarooing quite a lot. Could this be a clutch binding issue? If I had a warped clutch plate or a high spot, could it bind as the engine idles, slowing the engine down momentarily, creating a rough idle?

I really am a bit clueless now!

Thanks
-Tom

unsure about idle but sounds like your hand brake is sticky or has oil leak.

does fuel level in tank make a difference,clutch souds like it glazed needs replacing , warped clutch cover gives hard gear change as it dosent clear properly and sat in neutral would effect engine ,have you checked lift pump

Thanks for the replies. My handbrake is free, with no high-spots on the shoes and no gunk or buildup on the drum.

As for fuel level effecting the idle, the answer is no. The fuel pick-up pipe, along with every other fuel pipe, joint, filter head etc. is brand spanking new, so that should rule out any pin holes in the pickup pipe letting air in. The lift pump (which is now the fourth one in a year) is working fine.

I have also tried removing the fan belt, to rule the alternator / water pump out of it and the idle still fluctuated / hunted.

If I fully press the clutch pedal, it makes no difference to the irratic idle. Blipping the throttle brings the idle back up and it idles perfectly for about two seconds, and then drops back down.

The idle is superb at other times (seems when the vehicle is not facing up hill)

-Tom

was it new pump or another ,injectors i would try another set ,i have some you could try ,only uphill dosent make any logical sense to me yet, iwould also put clear line to pump to check for air bubbles

Does it smoke more than 'normal'?

jamesmartin said:

was it new pump or another ,injectors i would try another set ,i have some you could try ,only uphill dosent make any logical sense to me yet, iwould also put clear line to pump to check for air bubbles

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The Injection pump was brand spanking new, not a take-off or a re-con. I have had the injectors tested prior to refurbishing them but it wasn't on a special rig that can check flow or leak-off etc. I do suppose they could still be at fault. How much would you want for me to try your set?

I had a length of clear pipe between the new filter head and the IP yesterday to check for bubbles before I made a pipe to fit between the filter head and the IP. It was pure diesel

Thanks,
-Tom

Karlos28 said:

Does it smoke more than 'normal'?

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I noticed yesterday that when it starts to idle funny, it does produce a constant (but feint) flow of grey smoke from the 'zorst. Revving the engine hard seems to clear it. Other than that, theres a whisp of black when decking it, and the usual puff of black on start-up. I had been having blue smoke issues in the colder weather but I haven't noticed it at all within the last two months.

-Tom

pm me your address they are used but will help to eliminate either way

Hmm does sound odd! Could a hg or worn bores/rings cause this due to slight lack in compression?? It can't be fuel related as everything is new!

Do these engines have an idle control valve or cold start valve or anything? Could be related?

jamesmartin said:

pm me your address they are used but will help to eliminate either way

Click to expand...

PM'd thank you

Karlos28 said:

Hmm does sound odd! Could a hg or worn bores/rings cause this due to slight lack in compression?? It can't be fuel related as everything is new!

Do these engines have an idle control valve or cold start valve or anything? Could be related?

Click to expand...

I did a compression and a cylinder leakage test about 3 months back and the results were fantastic accross all four cylinders, so I will rule out wear. The head gasket had entered my mind but that was replaced earlier in the year (along with having my head skimmed) and it would have shown up on the compression / leakage tests.

The Bosch VE IP does have a cold start advanced mechanism yes but there isn't really much that you can do with it (and I had the same problem with the old pump in place). It's not a fancy cold start advance unit like some of the ones that you will find fitted to the same pump on different vehicles.

-Tom

Fixed, see http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f7/200tdi-300tdi-lumpy-idle-smoke-fixed-153190.html