Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hey guys,

I just bought a '97 Discovery I with a 300TDi engine. I thought that the 300TDi is inherently low power until I drove a friend's unit and I realized that it has a problem. Basically the disco won't move when starting from a 30 degree or more incline with the aircondition on. This, even when you floor the gas. If you turn off the aircon then it will move up the incline. I have the aircon check in an aircon shop and they said, the aircon is fine.
The engine seems to be okay, no white smoke even at high rev. No smoke coimg out from the dip stick even at high rev, and seems to be powerful enough once the RPM has exceeded 2000. The injection pump was just calibrated. Starting is 1 click and rapid. Anybody who has experience the same problem. Thank you.

Assuming it is an automatic, I would be looking at the gearbox!

monmendoza wrote:Hey guys,

I just bought a '97 Discovery I with a 300TDi engine. I thought that the 300TDi is inherently low power until I drove a friend's unit and I realized that it has a problem. Basically the disco won't move when starting from a 30 degree or more incline with the aircondition on. This, even when you floor the gas. If you turn off the aircon then it will move up the incline. I have the aircon check in an aircon shop and they said, the aircon is fine.
The engine seems to be okay, no white smoke even at high rev. No smoke coimg out from the dip stick even at high rev, and seems to be powerful enough once the RPM has exceeded 2000. The injection pump was just calibrated. Starting is 1 click and rapid. Anybody who has experience the same problem. Thank you.

when was its last service air and fuel filters

@lucy yes it is a 4speed automatic transmission. with a 300TDi diesel engine.

@cooter - I have check the airfilter, It is almost brand new. I havent check the fuel filter yet. How would I know if I have to change the fuel filter?

Additional info. In a straight, flat road I can achieve speeds in excess of 100kph. BTW in a 30 degree or more incline and the aircon on, even if you floor the gas pedal the rpm will not rise over 1500RPM, But once you turn off the aircon, it will move and gather enough speed.

Thanks again in advance.

i always remove and drain the filter wipe the top and suck on the inside hole of the filter you will feel when it is blocked sometimes you are struggling to breathe through them but the engine still runs
but if you dont know the condition of the fuel filter id just replace it they are only $30

Check that the throttle cable doesnt have excessive slack near the pump, too much and it wont accelerate very well.

@loanrangie - I will check the accelerator cable and if it thus not improve ,
the I will follow cooteer's suggestion and change the fuel filter. Are there any other suggestions? I would like to proceed from the simple to the complicated solutions. tia

You should only get white smoke when the engine is cold - white smoke is unburnt fuel.

I don't have any experience with autos and 300Tdi. With the manual it is best to keep revs above 2000 (they don't have much torque below 2000rpm) for performance. Accelerating up hill I would wait until engine revs to 3200 to 3500 before changing up.

Perhaps the kickdown needs adjusting (but I don't know much about autos). A little tweaking of the smoke screw and rotation of the fuel pin will help the boost to build.

As well as partial blocked fuel filter, faulty lift pumps can affect performance (but not always). Never use the priming lever on a lift pump unless the diaphragm is new - the longer stroke can lead to diaphragm failure, which can allow fuel into the crankcase and damage the engine.

You said the pump has been calibrated. It is easy to get the timing belt out by a tooth on either the pump or the camshaft. Either of these will hurt performance.