spluttering at 3000 rpm

Hi all i thought I'd share with you the newest problem with my 200tdi transplant as I've spent all day on it with no cure found. I have plenty of power until around 3000 rpm, which is a guess because I have no rpm gauge, at 3000 puffs of white smoke come out and it sounds like it's missing. When first started up it will rev up to the limit once, then will only rev to around 3000. Doesn't make a difference if driving or stationary. Lift pump appears to be working. Injector cleaner used to no effect. No air leaks or split pipes in fuel line. Just wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience.

how do you know its not sucking in air, a clear plastic pipe between filter and front banjo on the pump is the only real way of knowing especially as you rev engine, presumably lift pump is piped correctly

jamesmartin said:

how do you know its not sucking in air, a clear plastic pipe between filter and front banjo on the pump is the only real way of knowing especially as you rev engine, presumably lift pump is piped correctly

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If I drive below 3000rpm I don't get any missing or smoke at all and plenty of power which wouldn't happen if there was air in the lines surely?

bettsy64 said:

If I drive below 3000rpm I don't get any missing or smoke at all and plenty of power which wouldn't happen if there was air in the lines surely?

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pump self bleeds and will cope with some air but it shouldnt really as its bad for pump ,it might not cope at fuel higher demands, it can cause late and missed injection

If you are guessing the rpms, how can you be sure you are not actually on the rev limit of the engine?

jamesmartin said:

pump self bleeds and will cope with some air but it shouldnt really as its bad for pump ,it might not cope at fuel higher demands, it can cause late and missed injection

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OK il give it a go, I got no other ideas

lynall said:

If you are guessing the rpms, how can you be sure you are not actually on the rev limit of the engine?

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Because when first started it revs much higher for a few seconds, and im getting 50 mph top speed