Lack of power on hills

woodhead722 · Post by **woodhead722** » 30 Apr 2003, 04:40

I have recently bought by auction a 106 1.4 diesel. The head has now been skimmed tested and refitted, the gasket was absolutely clapped!
My problem is a lack of power on hills,evident also before the head job, and there is (in my opinion) quite a bit of crankcase pressure.My 205 diesel has none. I know what power to expect from this engine as I have had a ax diesel,same engine, so I am not being greedy.
I do not know what to get tested first,as obviously the car has a limited value,and I can plod around with it as it is, but am disappointed on hills only.Mileage is 93000.
It would be a great car for Norfolk!
Advice is appreciated. Thanks!

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 01 May 2003, 00:50

Maybe a compression test first, then a check of the pump timing. I take it you've already checked for dirty fuel filter and injectors. Also for binding brakes.

woodhead722 · Post by **woodhead722** » 01 May 2003, 03:42

Brakes fine, the car really runs well, until the hills get steeper.
Not checked filter or injectors.
What really puts the fear of god in me is the crankcase pressure. I fear one of the rings/ bores may be duff. Cold starts also sound as if they kick off on 3 then all 4 in about 5-10 seconds (all glow plugs work). As you say compression test first, but I dont know costs and that of injectors.Main dealers want you to sell the house!
The car has limited value. Or is it 'I've started so I'll finish?'.
Thanks, I'll make some enquiries. The recommended diesel specialist didn't have the time of day for me!

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 02 May 2003, 00:47

Have you tried a good dose of injector cleaner in the fuel tank? My daughter bought a 205D a few years ago which was very sluggish - some tank fulls of treated diesel improved it a lot.

Dave Burns · Post by **Dave Burns** » 02 May 2003, 01:46

A compression test will only tell you if there is a problem, it wont tell you where the problem is though.
It would be much better to have a leakdown test done if anything, this will show exactly where the problem is if its to do with escaping pressure.
Dave

woodhead722 · Post by **woodhead722** » 02 May 2003, 04:27

John......no I haven't tried injector cleaner. Thanks for your advice.
Dave, to be honest I haven't heard of a leakdown test. What does it check and how? Thanks for your advice.
Be patient with me.....keep it coming in ...... thanks!

Dave Burns · Post by **Dave Burns** » 02 May 2003, 05:40

Finding a garage that has the gauges to do it might be not be easey, though its a relatively simple afair.
The test equipment consist of two calibrated pressure gauges, one measures the supply pressure and has a regulator so this can be adjusted to read exactly 100 psi.
The other gauge reads the outlet pressure connected to the cylinder via spark plug or injector thread.
When the supply pressure gauge reads 100 psi, the reading from the outlet gauge is read, this gives a percentage reading of cylinder effieiency, so a reading of 90 psi would mean an efficiency of 90% in that cylinder which is about what a normal engine would produce.
Each cylinder can be tested and compared with each other but thats not all, if a reading is not whats expected then its simply a case of listening to the places where air can escape.
The if air is heard escaping through the exhaust then there is a problem with the exhaust valve of that cylinder, the crank case is listened to for excessive air leaking past the rings, and the intake for leaky inlet valves.
This will tell a good operator exactly where the trouble spots are in any engine, even the head gasket will give its self away during this test if its clapped.
Dave

woodhead722 · Post by **woodhead722** » 03 May 2003, 23:15

Thanks again Dave, I'll make some enquiries, but I fear ring(s) / cylinder(s), from the crankcase pressure felt by hand covering oil filler plug, with engine running.
There also appears to be a fine mist escaping. I hope this isn't the diesel injected that escapes down a cylinder!!
Spent £250 getting head gasket done with it's skim and tests. Would be absolutely sick if it had to come off again to sort rings or cylinders.
Cheers!

Dave Burns · Post by **Dave Burns** » 03 May 2003, 23:45

You don't mention it being a poor starter so things may not be as bad as you think, diesel's with alot of blow can be very poor starters.
Regarding the "oil misting" have a look down the list a few pages at that very subject, this concerns a 106 though don't think its your power loss problem.
I'd check the pump timing as has been suggested, if its had a belt fitted incorrectly it could be miles out.
Dave

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 04 May 2003, 00:32

Another thought - Is the breather valve at the back of the rocker cover clear?

woodhead722 · Post by **woodhead722** » 04 May 2003, 18:09

I'll have a look for the breather. I notice there appears to be one on top of the gearbox (?). It is just like a small plastic inverted cylinder which I imagine stops liquids getting in.
It is a reasonable starter. As I've said it seems to cold start on 3 with the 4th kicking in 5-10 secs after. Hot starts really still need the pre heating, or a longer crank.
When I bought however it would not start one night and 1 glowplug needed replacing (I expected 2, as was the case with my 205 once).
You're giving me plenty to check, I'm very grateful......THANKS!

shaun easton · Post by **shaun easton** » 13 May 2003, 00:36

has anybody body mentioned the air filter ..........if it isent getting its gob full of air it should be it will lack in power............................

woodhead722 · Post by **woodhead722** » 16 May 2003, 03:06

Thanks Shaun, but apart from a BIT of dust, I would say the filter is quite clean as filters go.

alan s · Post by **alan s** » 17 May 2003, 01:29

Here's another one for your collection.
I've only ever owned one diesel but have driven quite a few Diesel trucks; is the exhaust partially blocked by any chance?
I struck this on a Mazda diesel once & it caused lots of problems. After all, wasn't that PSAs greatest claim to diesel performance? That by fitting 2 exhaust valves per pot it gave it unprecedented power for a diesel?
Short of dropping a muffler off & taking it for a quick spin in an area not normally frequented by the constabulory, I suppose the only other option is to drop the muffler(s) off & back flush them with a hose or high pressure cleaner & see what comes out.
Alan S