Sluggish, Smokey, poor MPG... - MAF problem, Piston ring or other fault?

Hi All!

Hopefully haven’t created a double post - have tried to use the search but its painfully slow along with the whole website, probably my connection...?

Anyway, I have been having an issue with the Freelander (2003 TD4) in the run up to Christmas till now (only just posted as back from holiday)

My problem is this Smoky Freelander (This is the worst it has been) - Bad MAF? Any help or comments really welcome! - YouTube

Hold the RMP around 2 and there is smoke. Its worse after starting after its been standing for a few hours. In the video this is the worst it has been, when it's colder it does run a little better. Smoke looks to be white / Grey. There is no smoke when driving normally just poor performance.

The garage seam to think it could be piston ring damage!? I don't really want to spend out on a new MAF if this is true... however I think (hope) that all it is is the MAF.

Other Symptoms -


All cylinders are equally running slightly low on compression (garage tested)
Slow to pick up revs when first started and foot put on accelerator.
Poor Acceleration
Runs lumpy / Rough around 1.8 - 2.5 RPM
Pulling away judders the car until RMP is over 2.5, almost like pulling away in too higher gear
Takes ages to get to 70Mph - wont really go above without a struggle
Temp gauge use to go to half way - now only goes up to a quarter.
use to get around 400 miles between fills, now only get around 340Miles

All injectors have already been checked and replaced where required along with the rail.
There are no split pipes.
EGR Bypass in place
Fuel pumps seam ok
Turbo is ok.
Air Filter is a newish K&N - all checked out ok
No related fault codes present - using garage code reader for Land Rovers

I am currently doing 100 miles per day

Current mileage on the clock 95.8k (and counting!)

Any help would be great

check crankcase breather system
check fuel-rail pressure sensor plug contacts for corrosion
check turbo vent filter
disconnect the maf 'n see if there's a change
could also be an injector .. maybe do the leakback test
maybe the fuel filter ..
empty the sedimenter .. maybe some water in the fuel

symptoms do sound maf-ish ..

ROVER 75 MGZT ENGINE FAULT FINDING

Maf sensor problems.

~~~~

what happened .. the car stood for a while ( or not ) .. then this happened ..
or .. happened suddenly .. or .. just gradualy got worse .. or .. ?

any dash warning lights ?

spilt turbo hose

I could only repeat what's in the previous posts.

To check the hoses for splits you need someone to hold the revs at over 2000 or so to create some pressure in the system. The splits only really open up then.

Look for splits that look like they were made with a Stanley knife.

Also a hole at the back of the long hose on the left is possible where a screw-head rubs against it.

Check the underside of the 90degree bend one.

Don't really know doozals (petrol man) but surely the compression issue is the one to zero in on???

Hi All,

Thanks for the reply's!

It is at its worst either first thing in the morning or after around 2hrs of sitting there - One of my work places requires me to move the care every 2hrs.

I have removed the cable from the MAF and she is almost back to normal in terms of acceleration, this is a one part to add to the shopping list!

I still have smoke and what seams like a misfire / lumpy running around 2k RPM all though with the MAF removed its accelerates quicker through it so its less noticeable... There has for a while been a tiny judder around the 2kRPM which until now I just lived with. With the MAF going and the garage saying "piston Ring damage" I think its time I investigated it.

Looks like Ill be rather busy soon checking some of the the below..

check crankcase breather system - Forgot about this!!

check fuel-rail pressure sensor plug contacts for corrosion - Checked but will clean out to be sure

check turbo vent filter - Not sure where this is... To the Haynes manual!

disconnect the maf 'n see if there's a change - YES! big change, managed to do this Wednesday lunch - the drive home was much better MPG is up too

could also be an injector .. maybe do the leakback test - have spent £££ on injectors / testing / diagnostics on them just before Xmas so can rule these out

maybe the fuel filter - Will check this, Thanks

empty the sedimenter .. maybe some water in the fuel - Given some of the places I have taken it - this is quite the possibility!

Check the hoses for splits - All hoses have been replaced with silicone hoses but have checked for splits none the less. Couldn't see any although there was a bit of oil around one of the ends - Tightened the jubilee clip, All is good!

Compression issue is the one to zero in on - Could a faulty MAF cause this? or any of the above things still to check? Apparently each cylinder is equally low, I have no way to verify this.

I'm also thinking maybe the catalyst my be to blame?

change thermostat - Apart from the dial on the dash, could the thermostat affect anything else?

Sorry for so many questions - I prefer the electronic side to the maniacal
Really appreciate all the help so far...