TD4 running rough low rpm / pinking knock

Just wondering whether anyone has experienced this and has any suggestions: 56plate TD4 with 56k miles, recently acquired. I carried out a full service; oil change / all filters including fuel and crankcase breather / and have also installed an EGR blanking mod and a diesel tuning box. I initially noticed that it was pinking / harsh sounding knock pulling from low revs which disappeared on wider throttle opening / higher revs. This was before service but after fitting tuning box. It has also now started running rough at low rpm / low throttle with quite harsh pinking / diesel knock when pulling. Again, as soon as revs rise or increase throttle opening it goes. Starts well, performance excellent apart from initial acceleration, no evidence of smoke from exhaust. I have tried disconnecting tuning box; maf sensor - makes little or no difference. Have also used Redex fuel treatment with no noticeable improvement. Would be grateful for any suggestions. Thanks.

could be an injector on its way out to rule this out unplug an injector in turn if there is no change at idle then thats the dodgy one

My 52 td4 makes the same pinking type noise when pulling away from a standstill but it sounds fine on tickover, would it still be an injector?

Sound worse when there are parkked cars either side of you though

i think they all sound a bit rough! ive had a 50k 120k and this is my third and its on 60k and they all sound kinda the same. If the injector has gone unplug at tick over and the dodgy one will make no difference once unplugged

check the connections / wireing harness at the fuel rail pressure sensor, a poor connection or broken wire = rough running ,

Thanks for the suggestions. Will give that a try. As mentioned by 'Pardec', it idles fine and sounds normal diesel at idle. Pinking / knocking noise when pulling away initially and runs rough on light throttle opening at low speed.

i've notice mine is doing this...mine has had egr bypass, new air filter, new intercooler hoses and bmw crankcase breather done recently and apart from the pinking noise is running superbly...i'm about to fit a synergy 2 with maf compensator so will see if this makes a difference...

UPDATE:

just a little update from me....having read through a few threads finally got round to buying a bottle of Millers Diesel Power Eco Max (12.99 at halfrauds, you get 10 tankfuls out of a bottle) poured in the first dose into 3/4 of a tank, took it for a quick thrash and I'm amazed to say that the pinking has completely disappeared!! Car is deffo nippier as well so is it just **** diesel or this this stuff helping out a struggling injector?? Who cares anyway cos at 1.30 a fill its well worth it

i had the same on my td4 auto 01 and 162000 miles change from supermarket diesel to a better one shell and no pinking hope this helps

never use supermarket fuel false economy if it 2p per ltr more a shell its only £1.60 per tank more and its better all round

And even the shell goes better with a dose of Millers.
At around a £1 a tank full its a no brainer against the cost of injector problems.

UPDATE...pinking returns???

noticed yesterday (after the doris had had it for a few days) that the pinking had returned?? went and filled it up this morning, pinking all the way there, quiet as a mouse on the way back?? strange???? could it be that venting the fuel tank (by having the cap off) is helping??? is there a vent pipe on the tank that might be blocked in some way causing some kind of vacuum effect affecting diesel delivery to the hp pump or am i going too deep with this lol ????

any thoughts gratefully received.....

Hi,

I just wondered if there was any update on the pinking, I have 2001 Freelander TD4 with 125K on the clock and it has started with the pinking noise. I have done the same as markyzs180 with the Redex, and as he said, it worked well for a few hundred miles, but has now returned. I also had a starting problem, which I have read a few other threads on as I wondered if it was connected. I (with a friendly mechanic) have since replaced the cam sensor and fuel pump (with in the engine bay) and the starting issue has stopped. Unfortunately on my way home on Friday the Engine management light came on again. So I have solved one problem but I still have the annoying pinking noise, it is between 1800 and 2500 rpm.

Any help greatly received.

Thanks.

Wigan07 said:

Hi,

I just wondered if there was any update on the pinking, I have 2001 Freelander TD4 with 125K on the clock and it has started with the pinking noise. I have done the same as markyzs180 with the Redex, and as he said, it worked well for a few hundred miles, but has now returned. I also had a starting problem, which I have read a few other threads on as I wondered if it was connected. I (with a friendly mechanic) have since replaced the cam sensor and fuel pump (with in the engine bay) and the starting issue has stopped. Unfortunately on my way home on Friday the Engine management light came on again. So I have solved one problem but I still have the annoying pinking noise, it is between 1800 and 2500 rpm.

Any help greatly received.

Thanks.

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Your fuel cap has a one way air vent in it, gets pluged with dust and grime replace the fuel cap, and problem solved

Fur Trapper said:

Your fuel cap has a one way air vent in it, gets pluged with dust and grime replace the fuel cap, and problem solved

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Many thanks. I will give it a go.

...noticed that after a good 400 mile fast motorway run using shell diesel with added miller sport the pinking was back and worse than ever so took off the fuel cap, gave it a good clean, blew thru the small vent hole, popped it back on and started up and guess what? pinking gone! so i'm deffo going down the venting route.....

I too have a Freelander TD4 , and have experienced all the above ; every time i think its sorted it comes back. From the occasional Pink/knock on its own or regular Pink/knocking with loads of black smoke. Recently on long trip up to Birmingham got half way there then shuddering , Pinking , knocking , black smoke , all in heavy traffic darn nightmare. Heading home the next day cruised down motorway , as smooth and sweet , not a whimper...Egr blanking kit; silicone hoses; Synergy tuning box; new filler cap; Injectors checked.
Never any warning lights. Generally goes fine (apart from Birmingham trip). Will continue to live with it till something breaks I guess....I do love it you see. And it makes such a change from years of fiddling with Cortinas......

Hi i have the same problem. My freelander is picking at 1.5rpm i have checked wires.injectors.and filler cap.i can not find anything wrong? Could the in line fuel filter course this .as I carnt thing of what else it could be ???

Garry neal said:

Hi i have the same problem. My freelander is picking at 1.5rpm i have checked wires.injectors.and filler cap.i can not find anything wrong? Could the in line fuel filter course this .as I carnt thing of what else it could be ???

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It's a good idea to proofread your posts before posting the reply.

Mine pinks randomly. Sometimes it's fine, other times it's there. I just ignore it to be honest. I use Shell diesel with a monthly dose of Comma Diesel Magic. Sometimes I give it a fill of Shell V Power. That seems to quieten it down, but it still pinks quietly to itself, when it feels like it.

If mine makes a rattle or pinking sound I do this.
On fill up, 500ml of mineral 2 stroke, double shot of Miller's ecomax, and good quality diesel, I use Texaco religiously.
Be warned, you'll only get 300 miles to the tank of fuel!

Then use 200ml of 2 stroke on every fill up. Miller's is a personal choice.

I normally only have to do the big treatment once a year. Usually after winter. Other than that, for an old diesel, it's quiet and smooth running.

Mike