Avensis D4D Loss Of Power

[new to toyota]

New to Toyota and up to now impressed but in the last few weeks my Avensis has started loosing power when engine is warmed up properly.

It runs fine when cold but as soon as it gets up to temp it starts loosing power. I will be driving along and try to accelerate and there is no power there at all. I drop a couple of gears and it kicks back into life but happens again as soon as you come off come off the power.

I've just had it serviced and all filters and oil changed hoping that this would cure all issues (fuel filter full of 'sludge') but unfortunately not.

I don't know what the issue could be and don't want to spend money on things it could be without knowing the definitive answer.

Can any one help?

James

[Daveyonthemove]

Where do you buy your fuel from?

[Mistermena]

When was the EGR valved last cleaned? Try using Shell V-Power derv in it and run a tin of BG244 in the fuel. This may help.

[new to toyota]

When was the EGR valved last cleaned? Try using Shell V-Power derv in it and run a tin of BG244 in the fuel. This may help.

I don't know when EGR was last cleaned, how do I find out and can I do it myself?

Have taken it for diagnostics today and nothing showed up as being wrong.

[new to toyota]

Where do you buy your fuel from?

Supermarket. Could this be causing the issue and if so what can I do about it?

No error codes showing on diagnostics done today.

[Mistermena]

When was the EGR valved last cleaned? Try using Shell V-Power derv in it and run a tin of BG244 in the fuel. This may help.

I don't know when EGR was last cleaned, how do I find out and can I do it myself?

Have taken it for diagnostics today and nothing showed up as being wrong.

Have a search for how to clean the EGR valve on here. RICKD4D did one a while back and so did Anchorman, both very good and its really easy to do with a tin of Carb cleaner.

[Daveyonthemove]

Where do you buy your fuel from?

Supermarket. Could this be causing the issue and if so what can I do about it?

No error codes showing on diagnostics done today.

I'm not going to say that supermarket fuel is the culprit, but its not as good quality as the likes of Shell/BP etc.

If you get your fuel from Morissons, then i would expect this to be the issue as the bio content is higher than other filling stations (7% i believe) and the D4D engine is supposed to run at a max of 5%.

I would be tempted to run the tank to empty and try a tank of Vpower or Ultimate diesel, and see how the car runs.

If it is still running badly, try cleaning the EGR as suggested.

[falcon7]

[quote

I'm not going to say that supermarket fuel is the culprit, but its not as good quality as the likes of Shell/BP etc.

If you get your fuel from Morissons, then i would expect this to be the issue as the bio content is higher than other filling stations (7% i believe) and the D4D engine is supposed to run at a max of 5%.

I would be tempted to run the tank to empty and try a tank of Vpower or Ultimate diesel, and see how the car runs.

If it is still running badly, try cleaning the EGR as suggested.

Every time that I see this I get a bit worried as I'm up to 60% plus of bio already.

Have you got a link or reference to the source of this evil 5% max bio info Dave? LOL

[Daveyonthemove]

I'm not going to say that supermarket fuel is the culprit, but its not as good quality as the likes of Shell/BP etc.

If you get your fuel from Morissons, then i would expect this to be the issue as the bio content is higher than other filling stations (7% i believe) and the D4D engine is supposed to run at a max of 5%.

I would be tempted to run the tank to empty and try a tank of Vpower or Ultimate diesel, and see how the car runs.

If it is still running badly, try cleaning the EGR as suggested.

Every time that I see this I get a bit worried as I'm up to 60% plus of bio already.

Have you got a link or reference to the source of this evil 5% max bio info Dave? LOL

I'll be totally honest, i went straight out to the car to try and find a reference in the handbook, and couldn't find a single mention about biofuel, or the grade of diesel, other than a minimum standard of cetane levels.

On those grounds, i could be wrong and may have quoted from a previous car's handbook.

That said, i would still question the quality of a supermarket blend of biodiesel, and the difference between Morissons and yours, is that you know EXACTLY what is in the tank and have filtered off any water etc.

[Daveyonthemove]

I stand corrected, the maximum IS 7%:

http://www.toyota-europe.com/about/news_and_events/e10-biofuels.aspx

[North East Tech]

what age/reg is your avensis ?

[falcon7]

Thanks for the link Dave,

I've written to Toyota for guidance on using more than the 7% already in pump diesel.

[Daveyonthemove]

Thanks for the link Dave,

I've written to Toyota for guidance on using more than the 7% already in pump diesel.

No problem, keep us updated on any response?

[falcon7]

Going back to the EGR problem.

On eBay there are dozens of EGR blanking plates for sale but I've not seen any for the Avensis.

It would be quite easy to make one out of a piece of stainless steel, has anyone fitted a blanking plate

to a D4D engine?

I realise that there will be a fault code generated by the ECU but I'm expecting that a simple link

on the plug would cure that until I get the DPF remoned and the ECU updated.

[Daveyonthemove]

Its been quite common to disconnect them on older cars with vacuum activation (Mondeo MK3 TDCI for EG) and not have any problems, but i think the newer electric ones are harder to fool, and you may find the drive is as bad with it disconnected as it would be if it was clogged/broken.

I've not seen or heard of anyone blanking them off, but i'm sure someone could come up with a box of resistors to do the job. maybe?

[falcon7]

My mpg is low, 37ish so I'll clean the EGR tomorrow or over the weekend and investigate the wiring at the same time.

If the mpg doesn't improve I may try blanking it off.

May be due to short journeys, bio or a heavy right boot though.

We shall see

[falcon7]

Thanks for the link Dave,

I've written to Toyota for guidance on using more than the 7% already in pump diesel.

No problem, keep us updated on any response?

This is a copy of my e-mail to Toyota:-

Hello Dorothee,

I have just bought a 2 Litre Avensis d4d first registered in 2006. and I would like to run it on B100 biodiesel.

I anticipate that there may be a slight problem with the DPF as biodiesel doesn't burn quite as hot as mineral diesel.

Obviously the injector seals and other fuel components are bio friendly as mineral diesel in the UK already has 7% biodiesel.

Can you say what other problems are likely to arise as I increase the biodiesel content from it's present level of 60%

to 100% (B100). I use a cetane improver additive to the biodiesel after removing water, soap methanol and other contaminants and filtering to 1 micron.

A secondary question, during the winter months I add up to 10% petrol as a thinning agent as required. Is this likely to be detrimental to the fuel system components ?

I don't expect that you can give full approval but I hope that you can give me some guidance on these matters.

Regards.

Ron

This was their reply:-

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your email.

Please note that all European Toyota diesel models are compatible with B7 meeting European standard EN590: 2009 (allowing up to 7% FAME- B7) and therefore our European diesel vehicles are NOT COMPATIBLE to run on B100.

With regard to effects of FAME in diesel vehicles, please find attached the World Wide Fuel Charter that will provide you with additional information (page 47).

Kind regards,

---------------------------------------

Dorothée Lahaussois

Senior Specialist

Regulatory & Technical Affairs, Fuel & Biofuels

Toyota Motor Europe

Technical Centre

A bit disappointing but not surprising I suppose.

[Daveyonthemove]

I must admit, i was expecting a response along those lines.

[falcon7]

I must admit, i was expecting a response along those lines.

I've been looking on the weggie forum and at least one member has been using bio (B100)for almost a year without problems

so I'm probably going to continue using it.

Biomotors, the conversion kit people make a 2 tank kit for it to enable one to run on WVO, so if an Avensis will

run on veggie oil it should run ok on good biodiesel.

[blitzchaser]

i had pretty much same problem no power under 2000rpm needed a lot of changing down gears to keep the revs up. d4d's need clean diesel so keep filter changed, dirty poor quailty diesel being burnt clogs up the erg, i used a can of bg244 in the tank and within 30 to 40 miles+ started to work wonders. Try it and see its amazing it will clean your egr without having to take it out and cleaning it........

[Daveyonthemove]

I must admit, i was expecting a response along those lines.

I've been looking on the weggie forum and at least one member has been using bio (B100)for almost a year without problems

so I'm probably going to continue using it.

Biomotors, the conversion kit people make a 2 tank kit for it to enable one to run on WVO, so if an Avensis will

run on veggie oil it should run ok on good biodiesel.

I have no doubt it can be done, I'm just not surprised to read that Toyota advise against it.

What level of bio are you planning to use next?

[falcon7]

I must admit, i was expecting a response along those lines.

I've been looking on the weggie forum and at least one member has been using bio (B100)for almost a year without problems

so I'm probably going to continue using it.

Biomotors, the conversion kit people make a 2 tank kit for it to enable one to run on WVO, so if an Avensis will

run on veggie oil it should run ok on good biodiesel.

I have no doubt it can be done, I'm just not surprised to read that Toyota advise against it.

What level of bio are you planning to use next?

It all depends.

Been looking through the handbook to see whether the D-4D engine will tolerate 10% petrol in winter as a viscosity reducer

but it's not mentioned anywhere. Do you know whether it is used in the colder countries of Europe for instance?

What I would like to do is to de-water and filter some of my mixed fuel that is 80% dino and 20% petrol and mix that

50/50 with good fresh biodiesel.which would give me fuel with a 10% petrol content and a basic cost of £0.17 per litre,

Which is quite a saving in the presenr £0.24 per litre cost for bio alone.

[Daveyonthemove]

I'm not sure what they put in the fuel in places like Norway, i think it might simply be a case of some winter additives.

[new to toyota]

firstly, thank you to everyone for your help.

I have finally got around to cleaning my EGR today and found it very easy in the end (thanks to rossi46`s pictures). It was just sticking and not very blocked at all but still cleaned it out anyway.

I now have an engine warning light, any ideas or shall I just take it to be diagnosed?

[versocanary]

Having exactly the same problem with my T-Spirit D4D Corolla Verso. Been to dealer for EGR cleanout problem still exists. No faults codes so dealer gave the car back...!!