300Tdi Cutting out at speed

Problems with my "new" '95 Land Rover Defender 90.

I'm driving along at 40 - 45 mph in 4th gear with the engine warmed up and step on the accelerator and the engine accelerates for a bit, and then... wham ... its like the fuel just got shut off entirely down to idle. Not good when in traffic or going uphill.

Checked the air filter, replaced the fuel filter that had some water in it, and bled the fuel system. The lift pump was working okay at that time.

Thinking that it might be something with the fuel lift pump return spring or diaphragm I've ordered a replacement pump. Hoping that the problem is not due to the turbo or wastegate.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

A friend of mine had a similar problem on his TD5. The cause of his problem was the air intake tube collapsing restricting the airflow into the turbo.

Worth a look as it's relatively inexpensive to repair...

Could also be a collapsing fuel line, when the engine is drawing lots of fuel, hence more suction on the pipe, its crushing itself, had this problem with a Bedford truck once.

Check the terminals on the stop solenoid for dodgy fitting, corrosion etc. Mate of mine had the same problem and it was this.

Take5 said:

A friend of mine had a similar problem on his TD5. The cause of his problem was the air intake tube collapsing restricting the airflow into the turbo.

Worth a look as it's relatively inexpensive to repair...

Click to expand...

discomania said:

Could also be a collapsing fuel line, when the engine is drawing lots of fuel, hence more suction on the pipe, its crushing itself, had this problem with a Bedford truck once.

Click to expand...

Ironmike said:

Check the terminals on the stop solenoid for dodgy fitting, corrosion etc. Mate of mine had the same problem and it was this.

Click to expand...

Some good ideas here. I'm going to have to look closely to see what is happening.

I'll try to borrow an electric fuel pump and check to see if there is a restriction somewhere in the suction fuel lines and take a close look at the air hoses.

The fuel shut off solenoid is new, and I've already cleaned and recrimped the connector as that was dodgy - and the engine was running on after the ignition switch was shut off a few weeks back. It stopped doing that, but I'm wondering if it now could be doing the opposite.

Thanks,

BM

Pull the plunger/ball out and then drive with it like that and see what happens.

Replaced all filters, bled the fuel system, checked all air supply hoses. Problem remained - engine cuts out at 27 mph in 3rd gear, 38 in 4th and 52 in 5th. I think this is about 2500 rpm.

After further inspection it appears that my turbocharger wastegate is stuck shut. I haven't been able to free it up while still on the engine so waiting for an opportunity to park it for a few days and remove the turbo, etc. I'm hoping I can free it up without replacing the turbo. Dont want to spend 500+ quid on something so trivial.

Grrrrrrrr......