Low Power & Poor Hill Climbing

June 17, 2010

Hi,

A newby with a War and Peace post!

I have a 2000 landcruiser colorado automatic with a long history of engine power issues. It all started with poor starting both from cold and hot. First 'garage ' changed the glow plugs, with no improvement. They then put 12volt supply on the fuel pump sensor(should be no more than 5.0v)without telling me, but found this out much later! (This 'fudged' the ECU)

The vehicle was then taken to a Toyota Stealer for further investigation. as 'garage ' was out of their depth.

SIX months and many many calls later, Toyota could not get the vehicle to run at all unless connected to their diagnostic equipment.

A second hand fuel pump was found and supplied to the Stealer and reluctantly fitted. (with them still not finding the 'fudged' ECU). However,having failed to fix the vehicle, I was asked to remove it from site.

I sourced a repair manual from Australia and decided to fault find myself. I found the ECU internal circuitry blown, and replaced it with a S/H part. The engine would run but with clouds of black unburnt diesel smoke. Disconnected the Spill Control Valve, and this allowed the engine to pass it's MOT.

However there is a lack of power when trying to pull up moderate hills, with the engine reluctant to pull more than 2k revs. It feels like the turbo isn't working.

Checked the waste gate control valve and this is working. Removed and cleaned the turbo body and internal waste gate. A new EGR valve fitted.Spill Control Valve reconnected.

When revved in neutral, the engine will not go beyond 4k (reluctant to do this to an engine not on load, but desperate to see if engine has any power available!)

If used in L on auto box it will rev beyond 2k, but I should not have to resort to L to climb a moderate tarmacked hill(not off-road).

Has anyone experienced this lack of power, as it runs quite well on level ground and only fails when climbing hills.

August 26, 2010

Hi,
A newby with a War and Peace post!
I have a 2000 landcruiser colorado automatic with a long history of engine power issues. It all started with poor starting both from cold and hot. First 'garage ' changed the glow plugs, with no improvement. They then put 12volt supply on the fuel pump sensor(should be no more than 5.0v)without telling me, but found this out much later! (This 'fudged' the ECU)
The vehicle was then taken to a Toyota Stealer for further investigation. as 'garage ' was out of their depth.
SIX months and many many calls later, Toyota could not get the vehicle to run at all unless connected to their diagnostic equipment.
A second hand fuel pump was found and supplied to the Stealer and reluctantly fitted. (with them still not finding the 'fudged' ECU). However,having failed to fix the vehicle, I was asked to remove it from site.
I sourced a repair manual from Australia and decided to fault find myself. I found the ECU internal circuitry blown, and replaced it with a S/H part. The engine would run but with clouds of black unburnt diesel smoke. Disconnected the Spill Control Valve, and this allowed the engine to pass it's MOT.
However there is a lack of power when trying to pull up moderate hills, with the engine reluctant to pull more than 2k revs. It feels like the turbo isn't working.
Checked the waste gate control valve and this is working. Removed and cleaned the turbo body and internal waste gate. A new EGR valve fitted.Spill Control Valve reconnected.
When revved in neutral, the engine will not go beyond 4k (reluctant to do this to an engine not on load, but desperate to see if engine has any power available!)
If used in L on auto box it will rev beyond 2k, but I should not have to resort to L to climb a moderate tarmacked hill(not off-road).
Has anyone experienced this lack of power, as it runs quite well on level ground and only fails when climbing hills.

Hi Del 53,

Living in Australia I am not familiar with the "Colorado" and you fail to mention what motor is fitted in this beast and how long you have had it and if you know its history.

My suggestions would be 1.Drive another one to assess what kind of power loss you actually have.Over here we have a 2L fitted to a hilux earlier model(Non- Turbo)and it is an absolute SLUG!!!!2.Check your air intake for any obstruction including the filter from one end to the other do not miss anything,especially if it is housed inside a mudguard.3.Have the Compression checked (I had one that some nerd had fitted a 2L crank into a 3L engine and even an engine reconditioner,well he claimed to be one,missed it!!!!You think anyone would notice that the pistons didn't come to the top,EH!!)4.Check the cam timing.5.Check the pump timing.

Cheers Greg.