towing

[burner]

just got back from a trip to hill end towing the campervan. My NJ 2.8 TD seemed to suffer lack of power all the way. It goes reasonably well up to 80kmph on the flat, but doesn't seem to have the same top end pulling power as it had from memory. Admittidly, I have just put a set of 31x10.5 (up from 30x9.5), but dropping back to 4th up hills doesn't seem to have much of a punch, some times it's better to let it chug down the rev range in 5th. It's as though I've lost some top end power, even without the camper on the back. I've changed the fuel filter, air cleaners fairly new. Blows a little diesel smoke when it chugs down, otherwise it appears to run OK.l

How much weight am I carrying/pulling; 1500kg van (loaded), nearly 3 adults, 2 dogs and a car fridge. Any thoughts, or am I just expecting to much with the bigger tyres ?

other than that, hill end (turon river crossing) was good and dusty as usual.

[twinnie]

i think the tyres are the problem a few people have said that moving to bigger rubber has increases fuel consumpion and lost power. that and a 1000kg carravan might do somthing to the power to weight .

i'm sure others will provide much more in depth replys

Matt

[Zute]

Could be poor fuel or dirty injectors. Hows your air filter?

[burner]

yeah van is heavy, but I was comparing it to last time I towed the van.

Air filter is fairly good, although I did go back to a paper filter after the foam one fell apart. The paper filter has that plastic spiral thingy over half of it which may be effecting the air flow.

thanks for the comments.

[J Top]

The 2.8 timing chain can wear and this causes a noticable power drop.
Can you hear a light scuffing noise when the engine is running?
J Top

[djr320kw]

I found when I towed a 2 tonne car trailer ( in my pajero 2.8 TD not the car listed below) up the putty road with 31's on that it would get up the hills in 5th. Try going back to 4th a bit before the hill hits this helps heaps. If not I managed to pull up some hills 3rd gear at about 70 - 80 km/h. Not bad considering the weight and the small motor.

I wouldnt tow up the hills in 5th as it is too high and will put too much strain on the gear box.

Just my 2 cents worth hope it helps.

Maybe for more power try a tune chip like dtronic and tunit if there is one available for the pajero.

[burner]

thanks, the replies. Timing chain; other than listening for a scuffing noise, how else can tell if the chain is worn past its limits ?