Diesel Mis-fire?

[roadrunnerges]

Here's one for you clever types;

I have been a petrol-head most of my motoring life, having driven/riden just about everything petrol-driven, so I'm fairly new to the "original" method of internal combustion; namely Diesel.

My 2.9 TDI has recently developed what feels like what I used to call a mis-fire, however I'm guesing this is improbable? Without spark plugs, points etc, I can't imagine what is happening - or not, if you take my meaning. Anyway, some more symptoms if any of you can help (before I make an a*se of myself at my local garage).

Engine lacks the usual 'steam-train' pull. She struggles climbing above 2,500RPM, and while struggling/mis-firing (?) won't change up the auto-gears (real useful pulling out of traffic islands trying to get ahead of the HGV's - NOT!)

If you really adopt the lead-boot, the car stutters which seems to get progressively worse and there is a large blue cloud in the rear window. There is a feeling/thought that you are in fact flooding the engine? A relaxation on the loud pedal and things calm down back to the sub-normal and you are left to accelerate at probably half the normal rate.

Any clues or words of wisdom would be appreciated.

BTW, she's been regularly serviced (and the car!) since I bought her, done 72k miles and is 2k short of another service, so if I can I'll ride her out 'til she's due unless you think it might do more harm than good.

Look forward to your thoughts

Roadrunner

[Murphwiz]

EGR valve is not uncommon, causes complete lack of power and clouds of smoke.

[seacam]

Hello,

On the back of this post, I have noticed recently that if I kick down white smoke,
( not clouds) come out of the exhaust, not huge amounts but enough for me to see.

I don't notice it at any other time, I'm a little concerned, should I be?

I noticed something about recalls on an other thread, mine is an 02 LX auto' crdi.

Are there any recalls I need know about for this model?
seacam

[roadrunnerges]

Thanks for the prompt reply Murphwiz, but what is an EGR valve?

Is it user-replacable, and if so how?

Can the valve fail erratically, because today doing the commute the symptoms have disappeared?

Thanks in anticipation

Roadrunner

[roadrunnerges]

Thought you all might want to know what the problem eventually turned out to be - BLOCKED INJECTORS.

Seems as they get dirtier, they cease to spray a fine mist of the motion lotion into the cylinder, only a high pressure jet of the stuff, which apparently doesn't ignite as well, hence leading to apparent power loss, flooding, smoke out the back etc.

Trick is to use a fuel treatment on a regular basis.

We live and learn

Roadrunner

[cpapashley]

Not being particularly familiar with diesel engines myself, (australia for some reason likes to spend lots of money on its fuel) I had thought that aditives were not so good for the engine in the long run?

Does anybody have comment on additives in general. Is it only diesel's that need them? Or do petrol engines need them to?

What are the best brand names?

Any info would be good on this issue.

Ashley

[seacam]

Hello Ashley,

Additives have there place, over time deposits build up in an engine, ( any fuel), and they can cause problems exspecialy so with injectors.

Here in the UK, Forte treatments is probably as good as it gets, others might disagree.

I've seen the dogs bol*ocks of a vehicle come to life on Forte.
seacam

[ebod]

Can Murphwiz direct us to the EGR valve using these pics from an old post of mine. I'm considering having another tinker as I'm sure my engine isn't running 100%. Can the bits of valve/pipe be removed and balsted with carb cleaner or something?

My Citroen Xsara 110 HDI purrs and rips up the revs quietly and effortlessley. I know a 2.9 isn't as nimble as a 2.0 but my Sedona sounds like a JCB above 2000rpm..

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