Landrover 90 possible Turbo problem

Hi there,

Just recently bought (about 4 months ago) my first landrover 90 (1989 - 120k miles) and I love it. However I've one problem that I could do with a bit of help identifying.

At low speeds it drives superb and through low gears it pulls well up-hill

At speeds between 55 - 60mph the engine for some reason seems to hiccup and drop speed by around 5mph. It feels like the turbo slows down (or perhaps is protecting itself from overheating or something) and causes the engine to reduce speed on its own. All the while my foot is in the same position on the accelerator pedal.

And then, once its reduced speed a bit after a few seconds it then picks back up again - and repeats the same thing over and over.

As a note, when I'm at a standstill there are signs of some greyish fumes coming out of the front (from radiator grill area) and wondered if this may have anything to do with it.

Suggestions would be most welcome
Dytron

What engine is it the tdi or the turbo diesel, if its the turbo diesel google 19j engine problems.



Lynall

Sounds like you have crankcase pressure

Also sounds like the fuel pumps shagged and cant keep up with fuel the engine needs

Thanks Lynall - its the Turbo diesel

Thanks Top Drive. I reckon I'll try the fuel lift pump (quite a cheap part by the looks of it)
Will let you know

take the oil filler cap off while it's running, tell us what you see

and what state are the filters in ?

don't start ripping it apart before you've looked at the simple things

Your smoke out of the front is your engine breathing out of the oil filler cap. On a 19j the filler cap is designed to release excess pressure from the engine, normally a pipe goes to the air filter from the filler cap. Most people remove the pipe because it draws oil laden air into the filter, it knackers the filter eventually then in heavy breathing engines it can draw oil into the engine and runs on it until either you stall it or it goes bang. Because you can see smoke someone has probably removed the pipe so now the engine breathes under the bonnet and you see the smoke. Put a pipe from the rocker cover down to the chassis, constant rust prevention.

As said above, your high speed running problems are fuel related, your injector pump is most likely due for a re-con, but changing the lift pump may help your problems. As SEAN says, change your filters.

Not sure removing the breather from the filters a good idea. Tbh

Reckon it increases the pressure in the crankcase and makes other seals give up

Of course im happy to be proven wrong.

It shouldnt make any difference it will just breath to atmosphere, but as said will stop the runaway problems.



Lynall

I guess if its breathing thAt badly then it winnae do nae harm but mines not that bad yet !

i have an 1988 90 with 19j and and also having similar problems (minus the smoke from the front) although mine does it in 3rd 4th and 5th iv had the lift pump done all filters changed still no different. after reading this thread im guessing is going to be the fuel pump. also how do you check if it has crankcase pressure? abd what should i be looking for when i take the oil cap off when running?

chuffing and spitting

rev it with it off

Sean said:

chuffing and spitting

rev it with it off

Click to expand...

and whats the verdict if it does that

You will get a oily mist coming from the rocker cover. Another thing to try is to pull out the dipstick (once the engine is up to temp) then put your finger over the dipstick tube and hold it there for a few seconds, when you remove it (if its pressurised) it will spit oil at you.

And the verdict is a worn engine, pistons/bore etc. Rebuild or swap.

D.G.F.S. said:

You will get a oily mist coming from the rocker cover. Another thing to try is to pull out the dipstick (once the engine is up to temp) then put your finger over the dipstick tube and hold it there for a few seconds, when you remove it (if its pressurised) it will spit oil at you.

Click to expand...

D.G.F.S. said:

And the verdict is a worn engine, pistons/bore etc. Rebuild or swap.

Click to expand...

hopefully it does neither of them. then that will mean fuel pump i presume?

Your engine is the same year as mine, I have a fair amount of breathing, I'm not too bothered though, it doesn't spit oil nor does it use any either, its common or expected on this type and age of engine anyway. As far as I'm aware a spluttering engine at high revs isn't due to bore wear, that would just show mainly as overall poor running, sluggish, blue smoke and high oil consumption. If your problem is the same as the OP then its highly likely to be fuel related.

Thanks all. Will check out the oil, hopefully this coming weekend.
Would check sooner but it's dark when I go to work and dark when I come back - ha
Cheers

Hi guys

Its been a while but we've been doing some investigating and we had a mechanic take a look at her as had a pretty scary moment on the M4 when the died from 65mph to 45 and had to 'escape' a hgv by using the hard shoulder. Bugger this, lets get someone to look at it…

So round 1:
He changed the injectors, changed all fluids, steam cleaned the engine (no obvious leaks), renewed the water pump as this had also siezed. The engine now runs and sounds fantastic - however after 30 mins of driving her on the M4 again - the same power failure happens (loss of speed at around 65mph)… So we put her back in

Round 2:
Mechanic view is that its fuel starvation. Puts a line through the fuel system to check for blockages, a piece of plastic comes out from the fuel lift pump - which he then replaces for a new one. Mechanic says he managed 80mph on the M4.

When I got it back I decided to take her on the dual carriage way and guess what the problem is still happening. I can't believe it.


Any other ideas guys… Water in the fuel? or something else perhaps.

Dytron