Loss of power?

[vince]

Hi guys and girls....

I have a 1996 VSX 1.9 TDi 90BHP which runs super smooth or so i think....

Its the first time i have had a diesel Xantia and im not sure if it has all the power its meant to have...

From rest and up through the gears the car pulls strong with no smoke and definate turbo boost. Speed rises quickly until you get to circa 70 Mph. When going up and over that the car seems gutless....

Travelling in fifth of course, you need to sink the pedal almost to the floor to get the speed to rise any respectable amount and once you reach about 85mph with the pedal pressed it smokes protesting at going much faster... is this normal?

The reason i ask is, i bought the Xantia as a replacement for my 75 BHP VW Passat estate. The Passat whilst having less BHP, used to power itself smoothly straight up to its top speed of 99Mph with plenty of torque and no smoke...it seemed so easy.

It doesnt bother me massively as i usually travel at around 70mph (no really i do) and so isnt a problem, but what im interested in is whether i have any leaks or split pipes or anything.....has anyone come across this problem before....especially with the smoking at high speeds...?

The car has only done 104K miles

[lexi]

Speedo reading on different cars are maybe a bit out. my same model sits at 80 in fifth..........but although I aint tried it doesn`t seem to have much left . My Accord had loads left to about 120.........but it had 150bhp!

Maybe a blockage or air mind you if it smokes.

[Xaccers]

When was it last serviced? (ie fuel and air filters changed).
You could pour in a load of veg and see if that helps.
Cassy runs faster on veg than diesel.
She'd red line in 5th on her old stock gearbox which was about 115mph but only 110mph on derv.
She's now got a 90BHP HDi gearbox which is slightly higher geared, so a bit more difficult to get to the top speeds, but 70-90 isn't really affected.

[red_dwarfers]

My first port of call would be the fuel and air filters as it sounds like its not getting enought oomph at higher revs.

Xac, Cassy runs better on veg?! I find when I run on high % of veg I loose performance, we must be using different types of oil.
Vince, if you do try the veggie its best to go for the thin stuff like rape seed. I think im using soya oil- really can't be doing the engine much good!

[Xaccers]

I use KTC soya oil, have done for getting on 2 years now.
Mostly 100%, except if I need a diesel reciept for the tax man, in which case I treat her to v-power, but only enough to cover the reciept, which has been about £20 (doesn't stay in the tank long with my driving!)

She'll hunt when idle on 100% until she's gotten well warmed up, and first thing in the morning if it's a bit chilly she's a bit sluggish for the first couple of miles.

[RichardW]

I'd check the small hose between the intercooler trunking and the injection pump - this is prone to splitting and stops the injector pump responding to the increased boost pressure. A 1.9TD is no ball of fire, but it should go better than that.

[XantiaMan]

Should get up to 100mph easy...no smoke could be a clue, when booted you should see something either a haze or a smokescreen! I would agree with Richard it sounds like your pipe from intercooler to top of injection pump may be split, and basically means your pump will run as if your engine has no turbocharger.

[Xaccers]

Another thing is don't floor it completely, pull your foot back a little.

[vince]

Thanks guys some good info there

[pete_wood_uk]

Agree with others, should run up over 100 easy. My old TD saloon once memorably pulled 3 adults, a hell of a lot of luggage, and a dog, across Bowes Moor at a steady (indicated!) 115.... Get your kicks on the A66 .

Alleged, officer. Can't say who was driving.

Beat a Honda VFR**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff] from Durham to Eskdale, though he did take a scenic route and get stuck in a huge traffic jam somewhere south of windermere...

[jgra1]

Beat a Honda VFR**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

[pete_wood_uk]

Beat a Honda VFR**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

Indeed. He (Icenian, if you read that particular mailing list) was a bit over confident. He thought that with three adults (one of them his wife), all the luggage and his dog, we didn't stand a chance, so he cockily took a scenic route whereas I just did the A66 with my foot nailed to the floor, took the route round the top of the lakes and dropped down the west side. And of course didn't have to stop for fuel, which always slows a bike down. He was an hour late at the cottage, his wife hasn't let him forget it

[jgra1]

lol that'll learn him