Huge Power Loss, RPMs Stuck At 3,000

BKH · **Posted:** Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:04 pm

I had the strangest thing happen when I picked the CRD up from the dealer. I had it in for an oil / filter change and to replace a busted shock on the back (both replaced under warranty). I drove out of the dealership and had NO power. NOTHING. I floored it and it managed to rev up to 3,000 rpms and just STAYED there. It would go no faster. When I finally let off the gas, it upshifted. I limped back to the dealership with my hazards lights on, hearing a couple of jerks honk at me for driving 15 - 20 miles per hour on a busy street (it would go no faster than that). I got to the dealer and showed the service adviser how, even in park, it would slowly rev up to 3,000 and stay there. Of course, when his tech came and drove with me, everything was fine. It was a very hot day, about 95 degrees, and I did have the A/C on. There were no abnormal conditions whatsoever. I kept the Jeep on at all times, so it was never turned off before the tech drove it. Before he drove it, he did pop the hood and remove the plastic engine cover - and then put it back on. I'm not sure what he was hoping to find under there.

Does anyone have any idea what might have happened? I've only got 20,000 miles on it and to say that it's perfectly if not over-maintained would be the understatement of the year.

Thanks for any suggestions, ideas.

DI3S3LKJ · **Joined:** Wed May 24, 2006 10:47 pm **Posts:** 12

a popped off intercooler hose?anyone

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sat Jul 12, 2008 7:23 am

If turning it off and then on - fixes it - then several folks have had that & no ones really figured out an exact cause (mine was probably due to a fuel problem - but it never repeated). - search for limp mode

a true limp mode sets CEL - mine didn't

However if turning it off/on doesn't do anything - you blew the turbo intercooler hose - needs a new one.

(Edit 1) your description sounds like it was never turned off and it got better - I don't remember anyone saying that - most folks turned theirs off and restarted - if that's correct - I'd be looking for air bubbles in the fuel - from air leaks in the fuel head.

(Edit 2)- well maintained in stock condition is not good for these little beasts - to live a long time you need to fix the oil from the CCV valve - either EHM or Provent style catch can - and you need to fix the fuel system - lift pump for sure - possibly a Racor fuel head (probably should be after warranty on the Racor)

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Tue Jul 15, 2008 4:38 pm

AIR in FUEL!

Pablo · **Joined:** Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:06 pm **Posts:** 1201

If the CAC blew off or came apart it would not have fixed itself. It will constantly suck until it was reattached or fixed.

Threeweight · **Joined:** Mon May 14, 2007 5:57 pm **Posts:** 679

Cowcatcher wrote:

AIR in FUEL!

x2

ChesterCRD · **Posted:** Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:21 pm

This sounds very similar to an issue I had recently. On recommendation from this forum I pumped the primer on the filter head a few times and that resolve it until I got home and changed my filter. That was with about 20K on that filter. Air in fuel may be the issue. Try pumping that primer until it's firm if the problem comes back. If you haven't changed your fuel filter, that should be done soon anyway.

BKH · **Posted:** Mon Jul 21, 2008 11:10 am

It happened again - and this time there was no possibility of even getting to 3,000 RPMs. This time was a bit of a scare, as I was getting onto the interstate when I completely lost power. I pulled over, shut it off, restarted it, same problem. Then I got out and pumped the primer - and that took care of it (for now). So if you saw an Atlantic Blue CRD on the shoulder of north bound I-25 in Denver this morning, that was me!

I'll get the fuel filer changed and the fuel system bled (I assume that's what I need to do), and hopefully this doesn't happen for another 20K miles! Thanks for the input and advice. I really appreciate it.

fastRob · **Posted:** Mon Jul 21, 2008 12:34 pm

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... hp?t=26385

This is my suggestion. I put in a lift pump. There are many ways to go.
I like Gmctd's method which I did and am very happy.

BKH · **Posted:** Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:49 pm

My problem is that I'm not mechanically inclined enough to do that myself. I'd have to find a mechanic in Denver who could do it for me. If anyone has any suggestions on that, feel free to throw some recommendations my way.

fastRob · **Posted:** Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:56 pm

I had the 15 year old son do it.
Gave him an extra hour of computer time that day.
Hope I was not too generous.

BlackLibertyCRD · **Posted:** Mon Jul 21, 2008 9:47 pm

fastRob wrote:

I had the 15 year old son do it.
Gave him an extra hour of computer time that day.
Hope I was not too generous.

LOL, talk about cheap labor

BKH · **Posted:** Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:31 pm

BlackLibertyCRD wrote:

fastRob wrote:

LOL, talk about cheap labor

Send him out to Colorado. We can get a group of CRDs ready for him.

Sdedeker · **Posted:** Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:51 pm

fastRob wrote:

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=26385

This is my suggestion. I put in a lift pump. There are many ways to go.
I like Gmctd's method which I did and am very happy.

BKH said that he had some things replaced under warranty. Would the lift pump void the warranty if something were to happen and they find it???

fastRob · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2008 2:19 am

If you pulled the fuse for service who would know?
Who would know anyway?
A free flow pump when not powered is important so buy the right one.

scrambledKJ · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:37 pm

My CRD did the same thing to me today. Pulled up the onramp fine and got to 55 then started losing power. The tranny shifted like I was hitting pot holes. I pulled over and pumped the primer. Much better now. Only 2000 miles on the filter. Next time it happens, it gets towed to Jeep and they can explain to me why it happens. I unplugged the heater too, don't have to worry bout gellin when its 98:)

Travis

mrkake · **Posted:** Wed Jul 23, 2008 5:01 am

Same thing happened to me twice before I did the CAT 2 filter mod and I had no clue what the heck was happening. It did it twice more after the mod but I was able to trace that to a leaky bleeder valve. 15000 miles later and no issues. If you do the "Stealth Pump" mod (Cummins pump and a gasser wiring harness) I don't think the tech would even realize that you had done it unless it was a fuel specific problem that he was looking for.

Lift pump is on my list for sure. Since I am out of warranty I will probably not go to the trouble to try and hide it.

BKH · **Posted:** Sat Aug 02, 2008 3:24 pm

I just got it back from the dealer. They replaced the water separator and fuel filter, claiming that the original water separator was allowing air into the fuel system. The new one looks different from original one - more metal than plastic (if that makes sense). The one thing I've noticed in the 55 miles I've driven since picking it up this morning is that the power delivery is SO SMOOTH compared to the way it was before. It had become kind of "jerky" on the low-end power until the turbo boost kicked in. Now, it is so much smoother. This was apparent the minute I drove it off the lot.

chrispitude · **Posted:** Sat Aug 02, 2008 4:07 pm

BKH wrote:

I just got it back from the dealer. They replaced the water separator and fuel filter, claiming that the original water separator was allowing air into the fuel system. The new one looks different from original one - more metal than plastic (if that makes sense). The one thing I've noticed in the 55 miles I've driven since picking it up this morning is that the power delivery is SO SMOOTH compared to the way it was before. It had become kind of "jerky" on the low-end power until the turbo boost kicked in. Now, it is so much smoother. This was apparent the minute I drove it off the lot.

Hi BKH,

I think we would all be very interested in a picture of this new unit. Can you ask your dealer if the separator has been redesigned or superceded by a new part number?

- Chris

BKH · **Posted:** Sat Aug 02, 2008 7:03 pm

Here are two photos I just took. I may be crazy, but I really think this one looks different from the original part. I also got a photo of what I assume is a part # (it's on the top, back of the part - by the firewall).

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3047/272 ... 2b.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/272 ... ed.jpg?v=0

Huge Power Loss, RPMs Stuck At 3,000

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