Help!

[alterastro]

So I was driving down the motorway earlier and all of a sudden the VX started to jerk and clonk as if there was a sudden loss of power and then lots of power quickly. I knocked it into neutral and she revved freely and seemed ok, so put her back into drive and there was a distinct lack of power. If I tried to accellerate hard she would do the jerking thing again. She seemed ok though if I sat at 60 without accelerating, so continued to my destination about 20 miles away.

On the way home the jerking and loss of power seemed to come and go until eventually she died altogether - managed to coast to the side of the road and sat there scratching my head. Checked connections etc under the hood and all seemed ok. If I tried starting her she would start, run roughly if at all and then die. I walked a couple of hundred feet to see which mile marker I was at in order to call the recovery guys, but when I got back she started and idled fine. So I carried on my way, very tentatively. I got about 15 miles before she died again - just after I needed to accelerate, so that obviously starts the failure. After 10 minutes of intermittently trying to start her, she started ok again and I carried on. Got another 10 miles before it happened again.

Finally managed to get home but my VX isn't a happy bunny :confused:

So, firstly sorry for the long post, but has anyone got any ideas? My first thought because of the jerking and clonking was maybe the torque converter, but later on she fails to start, so don't think its that.

Did notice if I stuck her in neutral and coasted it seemed as if drive wasn't disengaging, but I could be imagining it! The revs also didn't drop unless you revved her, but then she was ok. When running, idle is ok and not up and down.

Any ideas????

Thanks guys

Nick

[Ldub]

When was the fuel filter last replaced?

[tom4bren]

I'd say to start with the easy stuff & work outward.

Fuel filter
Fuel Pressure Regulator
Idle control
Plugs
Coil packs
Timing belt tensioner

A few things that come to mind.

[crotchrocket]

Hi Nick, Looking at the weather today and the symptoms you are having it sounds like the MAF is or has gotten wet. Do you have a ‘cone’ air filter? If so the air flow sensor wire could be getting wet. It always gave those symptoms on the 300zx running an open filter in the wet. Also check the MAF electrical connectors too. Even if you have a stock intake it may be worth opening it up and checking the filter + MAF, at least it rules it out if you don’t find anything. DON’T go touching the wire sensor though as its fragile !!! ;)

[alterastro]

Thanks for the fast replies so far guys.

I forgot to say earlier that when I accelerated, if it wasn't jerking it sounded like it was sort of pinking. This did start happening just after I filled up with fuel...

Don't know if that helps?!?

Nick

[tom4bren]

CR had a good call on cleaning the MAF. I think you should check that first although I'm suprised that it didn't throw a CEL if it's that.

[VX KAT]

Had a Toyota Celica yrs & yrs ago that acted just like this...was fuel filter, like dub mentioned.

[alterastro]

Thanks guys 'n' gals I'll check them tomorrow.

The Fuel filter hasn't been changed whilst I've had it and I've no idea how long, if ever, it was done before. Is it straightforward to change, and where is it?


Nick;)

[tom4bren]

Not sure but I think it's in line with the gas tank.:)

Should be passenger side ... about 1/2 way back. Someone who has actually changed theirs will have to chime in with more details.

Tom

[ORW VXr]

Not sure but I think it's in line with the gas tank.:)

Should be passenger side ... about 1/2 way back. Someone who has actually changed theirs will have to chime in with more details.

Tom

Nick, I volunteer to walk under it for you, until I see what appears to be a fuel filter.
________
Club Royal Condos (http://pattayaluxurycondos.com)

[alterastro]

Lol thanks Babe, you're a Doll! :smilewink

[Sprey]

One fuel filter coming right up :D
Its near the axles link. just in under the chassis.
Lol my fuel filter looks soo old ( will replace it sometime)
http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/kk404/sprey16/IMG_1653.jpg

[VX KAT]

I replaced mine when I bought a bunch of Amsoil products recently. They seem to have excellent oil & filters so I thought why not go with their fuel filter too. Any opinions on brands?

[Ldub]

Thanks guys 'n' gals I'll check them tomorrow.

The Fuel filter hasn't been changed whilst I've had it and I've no idea how long, if ever, it was done before. Is it straightforward to change, and where is it?
Nick;)

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=11089&highlight=fuel+filter

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=1673&highlight=fuel+filter

:_wrench:...:smilewink

[LittleBeast]

Same thing happened to me and it was the Fuel Pressure Regulator and Idle control valve.

[alterastro]

Well I replaced the filter and no different :(

I also read somewhere that there is a filter inside the fuel tank that can get clogged - anyone had any experience of this?

Also checked all plugs and all seem ok. Also unplugged them when engine was running and none seemed to make any difference

Littlebeast - can you tell me where they are and what they look like?

Anybody got any other ideas?

Thanks

Nick

[LittleBeast]

Littlebeast - can you tell me where they are and what they look like?

Thanks

Nick

Fuel Pressure Regulator (FPR):

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=12021
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=14092&highlight=fuel+pressure+regulator&page=2


http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/3-6-09_062.jpghttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/3-6-09_057.jpghttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/3-6-09_054.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/13384/ppuser/1404

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/13383/ppuser/1404

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/13382/ppuser/1404

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/medium/engine_bay.JPG

Vacuum Control Solenoid:
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/11029/ppuser/1404

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/VacControlSolenoid2.jpg

[alterastro]

Thank you Sir - I will check it out. Do you know if it is the same for the 3.2 JDM engine?

I've seen this which looks different, but lists it for a 3.2 Trooper: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FUEL-INJECTION-PRESSURE-REGULATOR-ISUZU-TROOPER-96-97_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5633092a10QQitemZ370 223426064QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAcces sories

Or this looks like your one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/01-02-Isuzu-Trooper-3-5L-Fuel-Pressure-Regulator-AIRTEX_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5d280f5f73QQitem Z400104054643QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fA ccessories

Thanks

Nick

[alterastro]

Still not getting very far with this problem, but someone who knows the same engine from a Vauxhall Frontera has suggested a gearbox fauly or low fluid level. I'm tempted to believe him as the TOD check light has now started coming on intermittently when the car is idling. It goes off if you rev it.

I tried checking the fluid level, but its kind of hard to read - there is no definative level, more a smear of fluid all up the dipstick.

Does any one have any experience of gearbox problems? What actually causes the TOD Check light to come on? Is there a set list of possibilites?

Could gearbox/fluid level problems affect the engine revs? I dunno if the gearbox ecu has a direct effect on the engine or not?

Cheers

Nick

[crotchrocket]

Sounds like two seperate issues, there is a gear box fluid reading instruction somewhere

[FuddyMucker]

do you find it runs better when cold and gets worse and worse the more the engine heats up?
Do you also find while accelerating hard it is like the ignition system is being turned on and off about 3 times a second but once up to speed it will just about hold a steady speed?

[crotchrocket]

Here ya go

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/fluid1.png

[alanbradley]

That's weird - my ATF dipstick does have max and min marks and the fluid is "properly" visible when you check it. Given that you've checked out the more obvious areas of the fuel system and TOD light has started flashing I'd be looking at the ATF levels.

I know that when I changed mine I (accidentally) over-filled it and it kept holding 3rd gear instead of 4th. Once I sussed what had happened and drained a little bit it started behaving properly again.

If I were you I'd be changing the ATF sooner rather than later. Even if that doesn't solve it you know you'll have ticked off another service item...

Hope that's some sort of help,

Alan

[alterastro]

Thanks guys!!!



do you find it runs better when cold and gets worse and worse the more the engine heats up?
Do you also find while accelerating hard it is like the ignition system is being turned on and off about 3 times a second but once up to speed it will just about hold a steady speed?

Yes, amongst other things! What do you think it is????

[FuddyMucker]

Have you taken the coil packs out recently? Cleaned the stalks?
I did and a day or 2 after that I was having the same issues as you, seems like I cleaned them to well and now the spark seems to be are earthing across to the cylinder head before getting to the plugs!
To test this just remove all the coil packs and wrap some self amalgamating tape (or insulation tape but self amalgamating tape is better) down and back up the coil pack stalk and see if that makes a difference. It did for me
For 20 mins of work it is worth a shot ;)

[FuddyMucker]

Forget my last post about the coil packs!
It seemed to work for a bit but problem still came back!
I hope you haven't got the same issue as me because I have just done a compression test and found all of them above 170 except 1 and that was at 0.00
So that enplanes why mine was running rough, it was only running on 5 cylinders!
I am in the process of removing the LPG conversion now so I can the start stripping down the engine to remove the head!
:mad:Bugger:mad:

[alterastro]

Ouch!

Well I hope I do have a different problem! Work has been a real mad lately, so not even had chance to look!

Good luck with yours.

Cheers

Nick

[alterastro]

Still not had chance for a good look, but a new symptom reared its head today.... Started her up and there was a huge plume of white fuel smelling smoke, So I'm guessing its a fuel problem! The sound of the engine also dropped as if an electric fan cut out.... don't know if thats relevant?

Do any of these symptoms sound like the inlet manifold gasket problem? What are the symptoms of that and is there a test or error codes that should show if its that?

Nick

[Ldub]

Still not had chance for a good look, but a new symptom reared its head today.... Started her up and there was a huge plume of white fuel smelling smoke, So I'm guessing its a fuel problem! The sound of the engine also dropped as if an electric fan cut out.... don't know if thats relevant?

Do any of these symptoms sound like the inlet manifold gasket problem? What are the symptoms of that and is there a test or error codes that should show if its that?

Nick

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=12734&highlight=intake+gasket+CEL

[FuddyMucker]

I never had the smoke issue with mine, just running very rough and worse when warm.
I hope you don't have the same problems as I have now stripped down the engine and am ready to lift the head off in the morning, just a little scared now of what I may find inside......

[Ldub]

Nick...Did you ever get this problem sorted?

Some of it still sounds like fuel pressure reg to me...:_thinking

[alterastro]

At last!!!!!!


Well finally got this problem sorted after 9 weeks!

I wont go into too much deatil, but after trying just about everything, turns out it was that small 'g sensor' that is under the car near the fuel tank. Got a new one from the US after a recommendation from vt maverick in this thread: http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=17891

Just collected it after the part was fittedd and all seems well! It's hard to believe that such a small part can cause such a problem!

Oh well at least I have her back and working :smilewink

So once again thanks to Vt Maverick and Lee Automotive!

Nick

[vt_maverick]

Good to hear all's well! Always happy to help! :thumbup: