J Reg 2.4 Turbo Diesel - loss of power

Hi folks. I'm new here - can anyone offer any advice please...?

Just returned from camping holiday in France but my poor J Reg 2.4 auto Hiace Super Custom is still there, awaiting repatriation to UK! Just before we left I noticed increasing loss of power from starting and pulling away at junctions etc. Once we got to the mountains in South of France things got worse. Crawling up hills slower than the lorries and engine starting to over heat on the long climbs. Finally it wouldn't even pull enough power to leave the camp site so we had to leave it and fly home courtesy of Britannia Rescue at the end of the holiday.

It's due back soon (fingers crossed) and my local turbo diesel engine specialist will hopefully investigate - but in the meantime - anyone got any ideas what the problem might be? Gear box? Turbo charger? Head gasket? Old age? I'm hoping for the best but I fear the worst...we've had a good seven years from this fantastic motor but the steadily growing rust on the body work means I probably can't justify costly engine repairs - is this the end?

Assuming you have changed fuel and air filters?

Thanks for reply - vehicle was serviced and MOT'd just before we left - I was assured all filters were checked because I'd alerted the garage to the slow start problem - they gave it a test run after and didn't notice anything unusual in it's performance. I still wasn't happy but didn't think it would be too bad on holiday - seemed to run OK once it had warmed up - but by the time we reached the hill climbs the problem was obvious - but too late to turn back.

Cheers

I have a similar experience in Frankfurt, though I didn't experience power loss. When I got my car back I discovered holes in the radiator. I am having it reconditioned as I write. It is costing much less than a new rad too.

Have a close look on the rad tank under the drivers seat, (it easly comes out) for fractures or rust stains. Also have a look at the expansion tank where the overflow pipe is and look for a clean section on expansion tank below. Singn that the rad has gone, It could also point to gasket/head failure. I hope not though.

Power loss is the main problem so it may be a different issue but I'll definitely make sure to check the rad etc. when it finally returns - cheers

Does it roll ok - no binding brake etc..

Revs freely in neutral but useless in gear? Sign of a blocked fuel filter. Had you run it to near empty as there is a filter on the fuel pick up in the tank that may be gunged up?

Easy check is to get a Jerry can of clean Diesel and connect that direct to the fuel pump and go for a test drive - if the problem persists then it is not fuel delivery up to the pump.

Have you run it on veg oil or Bio-Diesel?

That all sounds interesting - thanks - it rolls OK, revs fine - there have definitely been occasions when the tank has run to near empty, so that's a possibility worth investigating.

Never used veg oil or Bio-Diesel.

Cheers

Vehicle finally arrived back in the country last week. Local fuel injection specialist is convinced it's not an engine problem. He reckons it's transmission based problem - possibly torque converter- anyone got any thoughts on this?

On further investigation I've been assured by an auto gearbox specialist that the transmission is definitely the problem. I'm facing a costly repair. Anyone interested in buyiing this vehicle from me in it's current state?

A seized stator in the torque converter will cause your symptoms - not a big job to do, drop the transmission and the converter unbolts from the crankshaft

Yea it would be a shame to get rid just for a simple job

Ok thanks for the tip - I'll investigate further before making the final decision. It's not one I'm taking lightly, we all love our "van" -but I'm no mechanic myself so I'm at the mercy of others on this - much appreciated. Cheers

HI,

I had a similar Problem to yours, Towed home by RAC from the Mortorway !
It turned out that i was the Auto Gearbox fluid !
I did not belileve it initally, as I had just had the system drained and re-filled !
When I checked the levels thay were fine , !
I took it to a Auto gearbox specialist, He said there was an air bubble in the pipes, He topped up the fluid to Over full Half way up the dip stick pipe, Told me to take her for a jerky ride ! Within 10 mins all was Fine , All gears working great. Cheapest Gearbox fix ever ! Hope yours is the same, Or I hope this helps someone avoid being ripped off by a a Garage !

Joe