Hi all,

I month or two ago I bought my first landrover - an X plate TD5 defender.

Loving it but I have one problem.

If I accelerate with full throttle in 5th then at about 55- 60mph it judders as if one cylinder is dropping out (or alteast not providing as much power as the others). This happens about 90% of the times I try it.

If I reduce the throttle to a half or three quarters throttle it will accelerate smoothly (but slowly) through this at which point full throttle can be used to take it up to 70mph.

It definately feels like it is realted to each revolution of the engine and so I am thinking it is related to a cyclinder / injector and not the turbo.

This happens in all gears but is most noticable in 5th. I have tried some injector cleaner in a tank of fuel and it has improved the running generally but not soved this problem.

Can anyone offer any thoughts or advce?

How do I tell if an injector is at fault and how do I tell which one?

Also, is this a common probelm, has anyone sene it before?

Thanks

Neil

Put it on a computer and check the fuelling, though if you can't do that easily or cheaply check the red plug on the ECU for oil. If it is oily, clean it out using brake cleaner. You may then have to change the injector harness, which is not too expensive. Destroy the seal between the injector harness and the engine harness (at the front of the tappet cover) to stop oil getting further next time. Of course it could be something else, but most misfires on TD5s are the injector harness. Injectors themselves rarely fail.

Jim,

Thanks. I'm very pleased to hear it shouldn't be the injectors.

Although, I now have to ask my stupid question for the day. Where abouts am I looking for the ECU (and the plug)? I've tried to trace back from the injectors but am having trouble finding it.

Many thanks

Neil

On a Defender, the ECU is under the driver's seat. The plug to the engine is the red one. Don't bother with the others. Also under the seat are several important relays including one that runs the fuel pump.

how about changing the fuel filter first ?

or is that too simple ?

Jim , Sean,

Many thanks. I found it in the end. I missed that there was a compartment under the mat. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) the plug is completely clean so that doesn't appear to be the problem. I'll have to get the fuelling checked.

It's worth giving the fuel filter a try, and I will, but I would expect this to cause a problem or more than one cylinder.

Cheers

Neil

Pull the plug under the front of the tappet cover - you'll have to take off the plastic cover to get to it. Look to see if there is oil in there.

It could be your Air Flow Meter, but to check that it has to go onto a computer.

I saw ya post sean, dont think Jimatril did tho

Thanks Jim. Whilst I had the cover off I checked both sides of the connector where it comes out the tappet cover - both looked fine with no oil.

I'll try a new fuel filter but it looks as if I'll have to bite the bullet and take it to a dealer. Some might say it serves me right for buying a TD5 and not a TDi...