Toyota Previa diesel

[compheat]

I've recently bought a 2 litre diesel version on a 04 plate.
The only problem with it is lack of power, on the flat its not to bad, but going up a incline is painful. the turbo is working (checked by mechanic ) what else should I check out to rectify this problem, or are they just slow ??
cheers

 

[Burnerman]

Pop in a new air and fuel filter and check all of the flexy air pipes in the turbo area......any sign of black smoke going up hill?
John

 

[compheat]

alright john, no black smoke, I had it serviced as soon as i'd bought it so all filters should of been changed but i'll check.

 

[Burnerman]

Other things that come to mind......dirty or sticking EGR valve (this recirculates exhaust gas so it can be burn't again - but not too much of it!)
If the car has a timing belt, and its been changed recently the marks need to be exactly in the right place - even one tooth out can be a disaster.
Turbo....all you can really do is to expose the vanes with the air cleaner duct off and spin the vanes with a finger - they should be free with no up or down movement.
A diesel specialist will be able to assess the performance of both the turbo and the injection pump if you still are unhappy with it.
Be lucky
John

 

[DaveHerns]

Is it automatic?

 

[compheat]

No its manual gear change, in 1st you have to change up at 2 k revs but then it struggles in 3rd. it seems to take forever to get to 50 mph. but once your up to 60 it seems ok. Top speed is approx 75

 

[Burnerman]

Something not right there.....it sounds like the engine is calling a halt at around 3000 rpm, almost like a non turbo motor. With awkward symptoms like this, a diesel specialist can be a godsend who can check the turbo boost pressure.
John

 

[Nige F]

Other things that come to mind......dirty or sticking EGR valve (this recirculates exhaust gas so it can be burn't again - but not too much of it!)

Be lucky
John

FWIW I drive a Merc sprinter ( little retirement job ) and it's engine control light is constantly lit - apparently comes up as EGR fault - the "fleet" mechanics don't fix it and the thing is a slug ! will only rev to just over 3k and seems like a non turbo. (doesn't bother me as it's a rural route I do) So maybe it's a common thing/symptom with modern diesels

 

[Burnerman]

For sure, the EGR is the scourge of any engine.....imagine, filthy exhaust gas being returned to the engine to be reburnt - makes little sense. However, it does reduce the volume of nitrogen dioxide produced by lowering the temperature of combustion therefore it is here to stay. Turbo or non turbo, they are all the same.
Bother can be expected at any time over around 30000 miles, depending on how the vehicle is driven and when the thing is dismantled the amount of coke and gunge build up can be staggering. They can be cleaned to a certain degree if removed from the engine - these spray cleaners don't look at it, I'm afraid.
The EGR isn't meant to be open at all times of course, that depends on engine load, temperature and speed - but if its jammed open then performance falls, naturally enough.
Some people blank the EGR off - as I have done on earlier diesels. How this affects any other sensors or indeed the MOT I'm not in a situation to judge.
Similar findings exist on turbo charger circuits....the operating valves get filthy and the amount of oil and other gunge in the intercooler pipes can be amazing - prompting the purchase of a new turbo which isn't always necessary!
John