poor performance from TLC H60
 

I didn't want to hijack roamingyaks thread with this but he mentioned something in one of his threads about landcruisers sooting up their injectors. My H60 was very down on performance to the other H60 we took to the Gambia, could this be the reason why? the garage tells me it is a good strong engine, but it is definately rather asthmatic!
It used to be used to tow a fairground ride so has had a lot of low speed running which I know can coke them up a bit. I've tried a chemical cleaner in the oil to no avail.
It's done 170000 which is far from high on these engines.
Any ideas?

Check all the simple things first - filters, both air and fuel. Empty the water separator - surprising how often that gets missed and is chock a block full of crud from the tank.

Have someone check the pump timing, look for leaks as well.

Check the throttle linkages, make sure they are moving fully, I've seen a Suziki down on power because the throttle pedal could not "go to the floor"

Does the HJ60 still have the injector pump that needs engine oil? if so check that.

If still no improvement then its time to pull the injectors, get them recalibrated by an injector specialist, get the pump done at the same time - big $$$

Moggy,

Ideally the injectors and pump need to be serviced every 100,000miles or so when they are stipped down, worn components replaced and then re-calibrabrated, etc. Prices vary a lot depending on where you go (£300 upwards), but I know a good firm in Swindon if interested, although for them it's best if you remove the pump and injectors yourself.

Another more basic thing to consider is the fuelling. I can tweak the load volume screw on my 80 series and it can make a considerable difference to the performance of the engine - the more fuel you put in the more power you get out (obviously to a degree) - you need to strike a balance to get the fuelling right so that you get the power but aren't throwing out clouds of back smoke behind you. If you want to get technical about it also fit a pyrometer to measure the exhaust gas temperatures to make sure they stay within reasonable limits.

As for injector cleaners, there are a number of products on the market that can be added to your fuel, some are better than others, but generally only worth it if you know that the injectors are in good condition.

The best 'cleaner' I have found is 100% biodiesel, run a couple of tanks through your car and it can make quite a difference, although I don't know if the older fuel lines on a 60 will be able to tolerate it.

One final thing is that the fuel pump on the Landcruisers suck the fuel up from the tank and that side of things can get worn - to combat that you can fi a 3rd party pump (Warlboro is recommended) which will pump the fuel to the injector pump providing a consistant flow rate that helps the injection pump provide consistant injection pressures.

I'm thinking it's probably going to be the exensive option, at 170000 miles it's probably going to be due. most of the other things have been tried. the vehicle is regularly serviced. I get about 25 mpg and she already has a bit of a smoking habbit given a bit of load and a bit of altitude so I don't think there is much room for riching things up more. I was thinking of a second hand injector unit, but most of these will have done 100000+ by now so will probably need the same treatment, and even a second hand unit is is £100. I never expected ferrari performance from a non turbo diesel but when I got another cruiser for a recent trip with 145000 miles on the clock the difference was startling. I didn't keep that one 'cos it was rusty. they both smoked a similar amount under load so it seemed likely it was down to the injector pump (or less weight as the other one was full of holes!)

I am in Portsmouth so swindon wouldn't be too much of a hardship if you have the details
cheers
Andy

Call John on 01793 421 166 - down in Swindon old town.

Do let me know how you get on with him.