Power fluctuation at full throttle...any ideas?

[jcolvin]

Delica is running fine except at full throttle hill-climbing the power "wavers" slightly; every couple second the power drops off a tad then comes back (only in a minor way...not even 100 rpm different)...but enough that you can feel and hear it. I have a new fuel filter so it shouldn't be a fuel restriction. Anyone else experience this, or any ideas what it might be?

Jonathan Colvin

[jessef]

air in the fuel line
injection pump main seal
clogged injectors

search for seafoam on this forum and give it a shot. I posted detailed instructions on how to use it.

[FalcoColumbarius]

When was the last time you changed the fuel filter?

[jessef]

When was the last time you changed the fuel filter?

I have a new fuel filter so it shouldn't be a fuel restriction.

[mrdueck]

My L400 has done this from day one. Mardy put in a new fuel filter, new IP seal, serviced injectors. When I got home from picking it up I called him and he suggested to adjust the TPS. I did so, this helped somewhat. I have maxed the TPS's adjustment and have just lived with it as I have heard that a new TPS is big $$. It hasn't changed for me at all in the last 15K. I look forward to hearing what other may think this is as I have never had a diesl do this before.
Rudy

[FalcoColumbarius]

When was the last time you changed the fuel filter?

I have a new fuel filter so it shouldn't be a fuel restriction.

[CREGAN]

My L400 has done this from day one. Mardy put in a new fuel filter, new IP seal, serviced injectors. When I got home from picking it up I called him and he suggested to adjust the TPS. I did so, this helped somewhat. I have maxed the TPS's adjustment and have just lived with it as I have heard that a new TPS is big $$. It hasn't changed for me at all in the last 15K. I look forward to hearing what other may think this is as I have never had a diesl do this before.
Rudy

X2 - exactly.

The sputtering/lagging is driving me crazy. Mine seems to happen between 30km/hr and 80km/hr. I am worried and can't seem to get it to go away. My hunch is that it is the IP or the seal on it. I am have a bitch of a time starting it when the nose is pointing downhill. It either won't start or sputters like it is really sick with plumes of black/grey smoke. I am also getting only about 400km to the tank and that number has been decreasing since i got it home. Found a respectable diesel mechanic I am thinking of taking it to. I am finding it a bit of a problem that us people that are new Delica owners that don't live within Van seem to be hooped when anything goes wrong. Anyone thinking of opening a shop in Alberta that Specializes in Delicas?

Craig

[zu!]

Have any of you guys tried Lubromoly's diesel purge? I do it yearly to my old Benz. Works wonders for cleaning up dirty injectors etc. Basically, hook it up 'neat' so to speak, directly to the IP inlet as well as outlet lines, run the engine really hard (some guys actually take their benzes for a drive up a nice hill like SFU) and blow all that carbon away. Fun...pls engine feels real good after a shot of it.

[joedelica]

Follow Jesse's tips on Seafoam; I had the same challenges and it took care of cleaning
the fuel system. Good consistent power now in my L400!

Joe

[thedjjack]

Another advantage of the L300. It never has power so you cannot notice a fluctuation.

I hear good things about Seafoam.

[Rising Sun Auto Import]

Another advantage of the L300. It never has power so you cannot notice a fluctuation.

Steven

[jcolvin]

I had already seafoamed it. The seafoam cleaned up a bit of a rough idle and made it run smooth as butter. Still got the power fluctuation though. It's hardly noticeable and doesn't cause any problems so I'm just going to chalk it up as an idiosyncracy and forget about it. Feel better now I know other people have it too