Dodgy Diesel?

[Crickleymal]

Alhambra 1.9TDi 1997. I was driving home the other day with the family in the car and I noticed it really struggling up a couple of hills. When I got onto the flat I tried the old Italian tune up but it didn't seem to want to rev above 4k rpm. It felt like someone had pulled the choke out on a hot petrol engine if you see what I mean. I persisted and it seemed to improve a bit.

Anyway tried it the next day and the car drives perfectly. So I'm a bit puzzled. Could it be dodgy fuel?

 

[Lilt]

How long since the fuel filter was changed?

 

[gregers]

try disconnecting the maf,if its worse then its not that.

 

[Crickleymal]

How long since the fuel filter was changed?

Not for a couple of years I would have thought.

try disconnecting the maf,if its worse then its not that.

Does it have one? The fault's gone away so it's difficult to diagnose

 

[Burnerman]

Probably a gunged up EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) valve, I would think....this actually burns the exhaust gases twice (!) which has the effect of reducing pollution and lowering the temperature of the combustion process. Quite a common issue.
John