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This Tech. Bulletin covers poor performance, poor engine idle or poor starting on a TD4 Freelander. Diagnostic equipment points to the fuel pressure sensor, however the problem can lie with the Fuel Pressure Sensor Harness Connector contacts. All donated by the kind generosity of RoverRon. Thank you.
Also included for your delectation and delight is the following on fuel related problems.
ENGINE PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS? - IT COULD BE DIRTY FUEL...
The performance can be affected in various ways and on a tuned engine where more fuel is required, the symptoms can be magnified.
Every week we take calls and emails from motorists with standard and tuned engines where the owner or their garage is having difficulty in diagnosing the cause of one or more of the following symptoms, which can be attributed to varying degrees of fuel starvation: -
MISFIRING, HESITATION, BAD STARTING, POOR PERFORMANCE, FLAT SPOTS, SURGING, REV LIMITING, CUTTING OUT.
The problem is far more widespread and common than most drivers are aware of, and the motor trade is only just 'waking up' to this and can be mistaken for maf sensor problems.
There appear to be two factors at work, both related to an increase in biodiesel content of pump fuel:-
i) Recently the allowable biodiesel content of pump derv has been increased to 15%. Some major brands* claiming improved fuel saving or extra 'green' or clean credentials probably have the higher levels as do some supermarket brands - eg Morrisons.
Biodiesel is a more aggressive solvent of the gunge that coats the fuel tank and lines. Clearly, the older the vehicle the bigger the deposit.
The gunge finds its way through the filter and can clog or partially clog the injectors, injection pump and fuel pressure sensor & regulator. In France and some other countries diesel with a much higher biodiesel content is normal and so we often hear from drivers who have problems after filling up abroad. The locals don't of course have a problem because they have been using it for several years so their tanks and fuel lines remain clean.
This is the fuel filter on our '57 reg Vectra after just 5000miles.
When we started to experience rough running we removed it and were shocked to find it was almost as black as an oil filter. (the Vectra has a paper element not a cartridge type so its condition is easily visible.)
Its no wonder then that commercial fleet operators are much more aware of this problem and have to replace fuel filters much more frequently.
ii) The biodiesel also encourages the growth of the 'diesel bug' and you can read more about it on oil & fuel treatment manufacturer, MIllers Oils website
Look at their photo below of a FUEL filter that looks like a very old oil filter.
It is well known that petrol has a shelf life, suffering a gradual deterioration if stored for too long (a few months), but it is now thought that diesel containing bio diesel also deteriorates, in addition to any contamination from the diesel bug. Motorhome and boat owners need to bear this in mind and must add a biocide to the fuel when storing the vehicle for long periods. It is also recommended to brim the tank to eliminate air and make sure that the tank walls are coated with biocide containing fuel.
The symptoms are similar to those you get if you have refilled up with contaminated fuel.
In fact the contamination will undoubtedly already be present in the fuel you are filling up with unless the filling station has its tanks cleaned and treated regularly and the 2 or 3 filters between storage tank and pump are changed frequently.
Millers also highlights engine damage caused by oil dilution and we wonder if the problems that Vauxhall have had with the Corsa diesel engine's main bearing is due to this as well as dpf issues. (being a town car, the dpf does not get a chance to complete a regeneration and the extra fuel used when this starts, ends up in the sump is their theory)
Sister company Energy Tuning is now an authorised Millers stockist and can supply Eclipse and EcoMax. Eclipse is not normally available to the public, being a commercial product but we can supply it to callers. Both products are available in a shock dose / 1shot treatment and in regular use bottles. ENERGY TUNING LTD 0845 539 3969
INFO COURTESY OF MILLERS OILS WEBSITE: Engine Oil, Car Oil, Gearbox Oil, Motorcycle Oil, Industrial Oil, Millers Oils
ECLIPSETM
DESCRIPTION:
Eclipse is a revolutionary new fuel additive that not only increases fuel efficiency, thereby reducing overall fuel
costs, but also lowers emissions and cleans injectors.
APPLICATION:
Eclipse is designed to work with all types of diesel engines, especially Euro IV and Euro V emission compliant
vehicles. It is also backward compatible with Euro III and older type vehicles and mobile plant.
Eclipse can be used by adding it to the bulk fuel tank or individual vehicle tanks in the ratio 1 part to 1000 parts
fuel [1ml/Litre].
USER BENEFITS:
· Eclipse features a unique combustion efficiency improver and cetane booster which provides increased MPG.
· Independent trials have shown up to 5% improvement in MPG.
· Eclipse reduces harmful exhaust emissions – by increasing cetane and incorporating a detergency additive –
reducing the fleet operators’ impact on the environment.
· Eclipse actively cleans and lubricates injectors and fuel systems, which improves engine efficiency and can
prevent premature pump failure.
· The low treatment rate means that only low volumes of Eclipse are required, making it extremely cost
effective and easy to store.
· Engine smoothness, noise reduction and fuel savings have all been confirmed by users
· Eclipse inhibits corrosion and prevents fuel from ageing.
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:
1) CHANGE THE FUEL FILTER AT THE FIRST SIGN OF ENGINE PROBLEMS.
2) ADD A SHOCK DOSE OF ECOMAX OR ECLIPSE TO THE FUEL
3) ADD ECOMAX OR ECLIPSE REGULARLY
4) CHANGE THE FUEL FILTER AFTER 30DAYS IF THE SYMPTOMS RECUR OR SOONER IF THEY PERSIST
5) ADD ECLIPSE OR SOME OTHER BIOCIDE AND KEEP THE FUEL TANK BRIMMED IF YOUR VEHICLE IS NOT USED REGULARLY. eg motorhomes & boats.
*I have heard it first hand from a Shell tanker driver & a fleet operator that they have had to change the fuel filters on the tankers at weekly intervals and some have had to have a new injection pump.
(c) Energy Tuning Ltd 2011 Millers link and photo used with their kind permission.
Also included for your delectation and delight is the following on fuel related problems.
ENGINE PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS? - IT COULD BE DIRTY FUEL...
The performance can be affected in various ways and on a tuned engine where more fuel is required, the symptoms can be magnified.
Every week we take calls and emails from motorists with standard and tuned engines where the owner or their garage is having difficulty in diagnosing the cause of one or more of the following symptoms, which can be attributed to varying degrees of fuel starvation: -
MISFIRING, HESITATION, BAD STARTING, POOR PERFORMANCE, FLAT SPOTS, SURGING, REV LIMITING, CUTTING OUT.
The problem is far more widespread and common than most drivers are aware of, and the motor trade is only just 'waking up' to this and can be mistaken for maf sensor problems.
There appear to be two factors at work, both related to an increase in biodiesel content of pump fuel:-
i) Recently the allowable biodiesel content of pump derv has been increased to 15%. Some major brands* claiming improved fuel saving or extra 'green' or clean credentials probably have the higher levels as do some supermarket brands - eg Morrisons.
Biodiesel is a more aggressive solvent of the gunge that coats the fuel tank and lines. Clearly, the older the vehicle the bigger the deposit.
The gunge finds its way through the filter and can clog or partially clog the injectors, injection pump and fuel pressure sensor & regulator. In France and some other countries diesel with a much higher biodiesel content is normal and so we often hear from drivers who have problems after filling up abroad. The locals don't of course have a problem because they have been using it for several years so their tanks and fuel lines remain clean.
This is the fuel filter on our '57 reg Vectra after just 5000miles.
When we started to experience rough running we removed it and were shocked to find it was almost as black as an oil filter. (the Vectra has a paper element not a cartridge type so its condition is easily visible.)
Its no wonder then that commercial fleet operators are much more aware of this problem and have to replace fuel filters much more frequently.
ii) The biodiesel also encourages the growth of the 'diesel bug' and you can read more about it on oil & fuel treatment manufacturer, MIllers Oils website
Look at their photo below of a FUEL filter that looks like a very old oil filter.
It is well known that petrol has a shelf life, suffering a gradual deterioration if stored for too long (a few months), but it is now thought that diesel containing bio diesel also deteriorates, in addition to any contamination from the diesel bug. Motorhome and boat owners need to bear this in mind and must add a biocide to the fuel when storing the vehicle for long periods. It is also recommended to brim the tank to eliminate air and make sure that the tank walls are coated with biocide containing fuel.
The symptoms are similar to those you get if you have refilled up with contaminated fuel.
In fact the contamination will undoubtedly already be present in the fuel you are filling up with unless the filling station has its tanks cleaned and treated regularly and the 2 or 3 filters between storage tank and pump are changed frequently.
Millers also highlights engine damage caused by oil dilution and we wonder if the problems that Vauxhall have had with the Corsa diesel engine's main bearing is due to this as well as dpf issues. (being a town car, the dpf does not get a chance to complete a regeneration and the extra fuel used when this starts, ends up in the sump is their theory)
Sister company Energy Tuning is now an authorised Millers stockist and can supply Eclipse and EcoMax. Eclipse is not normally available to the public, being a commercial product but we can supply it to callers. Both products are available in a shock dose / 1shot treatment and in regular use bottles. ENERGY TUNING LTD 0845 539 3969
INFO COURTESY OF MILLERS OILS WEBSITE: Engine Oil, Car Oil, Gearbox Oil, Motorcycle Oil, Industrial Oil, Millers Oils
ECLIPSETM
DESCRIPTION:
Eclipse is a revolutionary new fuel additive that not only increases fuel efficiency, thereby reducing overall fuel
costs, but also lowers emissions and cleans injectors.
APPLICATION:
Eclipse is designed to work with all types of diesel engines, especially Euro IV and Euro V emission compliant
vehicles. It is also backward compatible with Euro III and older type vehicles and mobile plant.
Eclipse can be used by adding it to the bulk fuel tank or individual vehicle tanks in the ratio 1 part to 1000 parts
fuel [1ml/Litre].
USER BENEFITS:
· Eclipse features a unique combustion efficiency improver and cetane booster which provides increased MPG.
· Independent trials have shown up to 5% improvement in MPG.
· Eclipse reduces harmful exhaust emissions – by increasing cetane and incorporating a detergency additive –
reducing the fleet operators’ impact on the environment.
· Eclipse actively cleans and lubricates injectors and fuel systems, which improves engine efficiency and can
prevent premature pump failure.
· The low treatment rate means that only low volumes of Eclipse are required, making it extremely cost
effective and easy to store.
· Engine smoothness, noise reduction and fuel savings have all been confirmed by users
· Eclipse inhibits corrosion and prevents fuel from ageing.
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:
1) CHANGE THE FUEL FILTER AT THE FIRST SIGN OF ENGINE PROBLEMS.
2) ADD A SHOCK DOSE OF ECOMAX OR ECLIPSE TO THE FUEL
3) ADD ECOMAX OR ECLIPSE REGULARLY
4) CHANGE THE FUEL FILTER AFTER 30DAYS IF THE SYMPTOMS RECUR OR SOONER IF THEY PERSIST
5) ADD ECLIPSE OR SOME OTHER BIOCIDE AND KEEP THE FUEL TANK BRIMMED IF YOUR VEHICLE IS NOT USED REGULARLY. eg motorhomes & boats.
*I have heard it first hand from a Shell tanker driver & a fleet operator that they have had to change the fuel filters on the tankers at weekly intervals and some have had to have a new injection pump.
(c) Energy Tuning Ltd 2011 Millers link and photo used with their kind permission.
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