Okay guys, bear with me on this for a moment.
I'm a pretty competent diesel mechanic from my own point of view, which is why my 524s "behavior" lately has me clueless.
In the mornings the car pretty much feels dead, unable to get out of its own way. Which can be expected from a 20+ year old engine. Could probably use a set of glowplugs.
No surprises there.
But when it warms up, I start to believe that my engine has its own mind. Some days it will act like a "rocket", really putting me back into my seat and giving me a really fun ride. Other days it will have a hard time getting out of its own way all day long. And then on some days it can run like a beast in the morning, and if I stop somewhere.. even for just a few minutes, then go back to driving it can become a slug again. And vise-versa.
I've already checked, corrected or maintained:
Air filter
Fuel filter
Fuel pressure
Fuel quality
Valve lash
Minimal blow-by
Recently rebuilt turbo, but the problem existed before.
I've always personified my vehicles by calling them "she" or "her" but this is ridiculous.
Strange performance lately.
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CoyoteStarfish
- Posts: 1016
- Joined: Nov 14, 2008
- Location: Miami, FL
Hey markx
I'll give those a try, but they seem unlikely. I discontinued the crankcase recirculation into the intake months ago and replaced the lines leading to both the wastegate and LDA device.
I've also tampered with my LDA to the point where I'm almost sure it isn't doing anything. I'm going to put that theory to the test later on.
I would turn up my fuel screw to try to gain more power but I'm already dumping black smoke, not sure there is a point.
I'll give those a try, but they seem unlikely. I discontinued the crankcase recirculation into the intake months ago and replaced the lines leading to both the wastegate and LDA device.
I've also tampered with my LDA to the point where I'm almost sure it isn't doing anything. I'm going to put that theory to the test later on.
I would turn up my fuel screw to try to gain more power but I'm already dumping black smoke, not sure there is a point.
Without an intercooler there is not much sense in turning up the fuel supply.......without additional air and due to the prolonged injection the only thing it creates is soot and heat in the exhaust.
Seems odd that the LDA does not react to tampering....maybe the membrane is broken. Have you taken it apart and seen what condition it is in?
The power surges could also be pump related.....maybe something is messing with the dynamic timing (internal fuel pressure in the pump housing is regulating that). The pump OUT bolt has a small hole protected by a prefilter. If that hole is clogged or some kind of dirt lingers around there, then it messes with the internal pressure and timing. Just a thought....
Seems odd that the LDA does not react to tampering....maybe the membrane is broken. Have you taken it apart and seen what condition it is in?
The power surges could also be pump related.....maybe something is messing with the dynamic timing (internal fuel pressure in the pump housing is regulating that). The pump OUT bolt has a small hole protected by a prefilter. If that hole is clogged or some kind of dirt lingers around there, then it messes with the internal pressure and timing. Just a thought....