Racket over 2K and no power

J_B · **Posted:** Fri Mar 01, 2013 1:24 pm

CEL this morning and a racket on driver's side of engine under acceleration. Lost power above 2K RPM, more smoke than usual (not black/not really white either)...

Oil level and coolant level are good. Replaced fuel filter, replaced air filter, cleaned MAP sensor, cleaned MAF and hooked it back up.
Had CEL read at Carquest..."low input voltage on mass air circuit", I didn't document the code number....will verify that later.

Upon restarting, same conditions presented themselves upon accelerating away from the parts store, took it easy the two blocks home and parked it.

Fuel filter head is original. SAMCO hoses, ORM normally. 88K miles, original owner. Mobil 1 syn and Mobil 1 oil filters every 5-6K miles.

I am in central NC.

Help!

I've priced new style fuel filter head and heater connection, MAF, and EGR (not getting any EGR codes-will spend that money on a GDE tune!)

Hoping it is not the turbo. Any thoughts or input will be greatly appreciated...I pride myself on being able to do my own maintenance/repairs when I can. I dabble with restoring classic Honda motorcycles from the early 70s but don't want to get in over my head, this is my first real issue with this vehicle. I WILL NOT let the dealer touch it, they are useless even thought the Techs have "diesel" certs.

Thanks

papaindigo · **Posted:** Fri Mar 01, 2013 1:48 pm

What kind of racket?

To check turbo - pull airbox to turbo hose (may have to pull that side CAC hose), remove airbox to turbo hose (see if torn on bottom), check turbo fan for play (slight for/aft ok should have no more than barely perceptable side to side).

Lost boost could be bad boost pressure solenoid or sticky turbo variable vanes see some of the chat and links at viewtopic.php?f=5&t=74340

J_B · **Posted:** Fri Mar 01, 2013 1:59 pm

Racket may not have been the best word.

The typical diesel "clackety-clack" may be a better description but stronger and much louder than normal, seems metallic sounding but there is not noticeable vibration or shaking with it, seems to be more pronounced on the driver's side but that's where I'm sitting so who knows...reminds me if issues I had in a previous life with water or air in injectors of Fire Truck engines from some bad fuel. That's why I priced the new style fuel filter housing/heater assembly. I'm hoping it is air in the fuel delivery...

papaindigo · **Posted:** Fri Mar 01, 2013 2:13 pm

Could be and it's a good idea to replace the 1s gen fuel filter head anyway. In the interim have you tried bleeding your current filter head to see if the noise goes away?

J_B · **Posted:** Fri Mar 01, 2013 2:28 pm

I will this evening when I get back to it. I've replaced the filter every 20K or so and never had an issue before...but you never know.

flman · **Posted:** Fri Mar 01, 2013 6:45 pm

Maybe you popped a boost hose and you are hearing the intake which is causing the extra noise and low power?

J_B · **Posted:** Sun Mar 03, 2013 4:53 pm

I have SAMCO hoses on my intercooler. Didn't find any other hoses with wear or damage. I checked the purge on the fuel filter head and it had air in it. Pumped it and bled it to a stream of fuel and ran it a few minutes. Checked again more air in the filter head.

Would this alone cause the noise loss of power, from air getting in the fuel delivery?

I also don't hear the turbo spin up when I rev it but I'm being very gentle with the revs...

Oil still looks good, coolant also. No drips or puddles under it, no smoke at idle.

TJ2 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 03, 2013 5:28 pm

Read papaindigo. . . you have a problem you know how to fix. PUT A NEW FUEL HEAD ON IT.

Many of us have an under hood inline Facet lift pump with see through pre-filter. I'd suggest that also. You may go all the way and put an in-tank pump in.

I'd still go with the glass (NAPA) inline filter just before the fuel head. You can see some of the crap that's going into the filter.

There may be other problem(s). . . you can check that possibility after you get the air out of the fuel.

J_B · **Posted:** Sun Mar 03, 2013 6:27 pm

I will order one tomorrow and hope for the best. I refuse to believe anything in the engine has let loose after 88K miles...

flman · **Posted:** Sun Mar 03, 2013 8:01 pm

On my Sport, the hand pump will not prime it after a filter change, so I put the shop vac outlet to the fuel tank with a rag to keep it tight, and open the bleeder, it runs out like I have a pump in the system.

kjjet · **Posted:** Sun Mar 03, 2013 9:23 pm

flman wrote:

On my Sport, the hand pump will not prime it after a filter change, so I put the shop vac outlet to the fuel tank with a rag to keep it tight, and open the bleeder, it runs out like I have a pump in the system.

THATS A COOL IDEA! I read on a different post you did that. I'm going to try that if i ever change a fuel head again.

J_B · **Posted:** Thu Mar 07, 2013 7:05 pm

Replaced fuel filter head this afternoon with new design (left fuel heater unplugged for now). Problem still exists with strong diesel clack under acceleration, heavy black smoke on acceleration, gray smoke at idle (water in the cylinders or fuel????)
Oil and coolant levels still look good. I did add some diesel kleen at last fill up, level is down to almost fuel light level.

I unplugged the MAF and FCV, no change...

Help!

geordi · **Posted:** Thu Mar 07, 2013 11:09 pm

This doesn't sound good at all.

To check the turbo (which I do not suspect right now) - pull off the hose running from the airbox to the turbo's front side. This will allow you to feel the turbo shaft with your fingers. Is there any play? Does it rotate freely? The slightest end-to-end play is ok and normal. Side-to-side play is never acceptable, and only the barest whisper of movement can be discovered.

Start the engine and let it idle, have a look and a listen into that open turbo intake. DO NOT PUT ANYTHING IN THERE!!!! Your fingers need to remain attached to you, not put into that blender.

Are there any odd noises? Metal on metal? Screeching? Whining other than smooth whistle type sounds? If the answer is no, then the turbo is good.

Next step: Pull the intercooler-to-engine hose. With the engine idling, hold a piece of paper near the engine intake. Hold tight. Is it only moving to be sucked in, or is there movement to blow out too?

If all this reveals nothing... The only thing I can think of is the bottom end, which I know you won't want to hear. Bad noises and loss of power are never good with this engine. Noises especially.

CATCRD · **Posted:** Thu Mar 07, 2013 11:36 pm

J_B wrote:

Replaced fuel filter head this afternoon with new design (left fuel heater unplugged for now). Problem still exists with strong diesel clack under acceleration, heavy black smoke on acceleration, gray smoke at idle (water in the cylinders or fuel????)
Oil and coolant levels still look good. I did add some diesel kleen at last fill up, level is down to almost fuel light level.

I unplugged the MAF and FCV, no change...

Help!

I'm thinking bad injector on this one. Like it's sticking open and flooding a cylinder.

kjjet · **Posted:** Fri Mar 08, 2013 2:40 pm

J_B wrote:

Replaced fuel filter head this afternoon with new design (left fuel heater unplugged for now). Problem still exists with strong diesel clack under acceleration, heavy black smoke on acceleration, gray smoke at idle (water in the cylinders or fuel????)
Oil and coolant levels still look good. I did add some diesel kleen at last fill up, level is down to almost fuel light level.

I unplugged the MAF and FCV, no change...

Help!

Did you check the FCV butterfly valve for looseness?

J_B · **Posted:** Fri Mar 08, 2013 2:48 pm

Looseness no, I unplugged it along with the MAF. Didn't notice a difference.

Hexus · **Posted:** Fri Mar 08, 2013 2:52 pm

Geordi is good people and wouldn't steer you wrong. Try the things he said.

J_B · **Posted:** Fri Mar 08, 2013 3:07 pm

If my timing belt slipped would it still idle smooth? (It does) Would the turbo spin up with mild revs? (It does) Would I get a CEL if the timing was off? (All I get is 2 codes for MAF ciruit) Can I send a video of it running to anybody to listen too and/or see the exhaust for advice?

kjjet · **Posted:** Fri Mar 08, 2013 3:36 pm

J_B wrote:

Looseness no, I unplugged it along with the MAF. Didn't notice a difference.

When you say no looseness and its unpluged? I was asking if you checked the inside butterfly valve? They are known to break and flop around causing lack of air to the engine.

If you jump time the engine would not idle correctly!

J_B · **Posted:** Fri Mar 08, 2013 3:43 pm

I will pull the hoses off tomorrow when I have a legitimate amount of time to put into it. I don't hear any "extra" noise at idle. The "racket" reminds me of an enhanced spark knock in a gas engine under revs (in park, 1800-2500 RPM). If the FCV butterfly is loose or broken can I remove it with no ill effect for the time being? (I think I read that in another post...)

It idles smooth at or near 750, which I believe is the norm...

Racket over 2K and no power

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