Missing horses

[Marchy]

Hey team I'm chasing a little guidance from anyone that may have something useful for me.

Triton ML 3.2 type with 265,000 on the clock has lost a bit of power over the last 12-18 months but gained substantial fuel economy! Now averaging 9's not towing and 11-12's towing compared to 11's and 14-16's in the past. However it's hard work holding 90-100 Ks when towing a decent load 1t or more.

It's not blowing smoke, it's not EGR related , it's had a gut full of fuel system treatments on multiple occasions, filters are fresh (it's been serviced a few times since the power started dropping) it's got a 2.5" exhaust which it's had since I got it.

I'm stumped as to what could be causing the loss of power. I cleaned the inlet years ago when I blocked the EGR so that won't be it. I have EGT and boost gauges as well as a scan gauge, boost, EGT, MAP figures are all unchanged as well if that helps.

There is probably more but that's the guts of it that I can think of. Anyone got any ideas?

Cheers

Marchy

[shortSteve]

Could it need an SQL/Injector relearn? Mine always felt "fresher" after one, but gradually returned to usual operation over the service intervals...

sS

[shawty950]

Get your scanguage to show fuel rail pressure....if it starts dropping off at higher throttle load could be scv or in tank filter...possible reason for better fuel economy is it's running leaner due to fuel starvation/reduced flow.

[L200Shogun]

Interesting title I almost didn't read it. Low on power might have been better.

Maybe waste gate?
Valve clearances?

[variflex]

Get your scanguage to show fuel rail pressure....if it starts dropping off at higher throttle load could be scv or in tank filter...possible reason for better fuel economy is it's running leaner due to fuel starvation/reduced flow.

I didn't think the scangauge read fuel rail pressure in the ML, hoping I'm wrong though

[shortSteve]

Get your scanguage to show fuel rail pressure....if it starts dropping off at higher throttle load could be scv or in tank filter...possible reason for better fuel economy is it's running leaner due to fuel starvation/reduced flow.

Maybe rail pressure limiter bypassing aswell?

sS

[Marchy]

Thanks for the ideas guys. I'll finish building the new boat trailer then turn my attention to the ute and get it singing again.

[RHKTriton]

Things all eventually wear out.

Anything relying on spring tension is high on the suspect list.

Scanguage, Torque or equiv should help find the culprit.

[catchya]

possible sticky wastegate actuator
catalytic converter could be blocking through wear and tear

[Marchy]

Noting I have an older (2011-2012) model scan gauge is there a better option out now for fault finding type things? Or is the limiting factor the car and how much data is available to the OBD port?
If there is a more comprehensive OBD reader I'm open to suggestions/recommendations.

[dieselweasel]

I've just bought one of those plug in Bluetooth obd2 units and it sends data to a spare Android I have with an app called 'torque pro' installed. It's got rail pressure and you can choose your type of gauge, I prefer rail pressure in a graph where the details are very clear and interesting to watch. Can learn a lot from it.

[catchya]

I use an ultragauge. Shows just about everything

[Marchy]

So new info to hand. If I drive like I did when I was 17 (flat to the boards) from a standing start, it misses/hesitates mid way through third or at times 4th. Like it's starving for fuel.
In tank fuel gauze maybe? Or does it sound more fuel pumpy? Injectors?
How would I get at the in tank filter? I'm guessing it would just be a gauze type of thing.

[ag9111]

Fuel limiter on the common rail falling over.

[coughy]

get a scangauge 2 and your can see if the rail limiter is failing im on my 3 in 70,000
the fuel drops like you say then comes back when you lift the foot??? i can see it when it does it with this obd2 tool

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ScanGauge-2- ... SwjqVZNguD

[Marchy]

I have that scan gauge, but no fuel pressure that I found when looking the other day?

[Marchy]

So a little more googling and I can now see fuel pressure. What's the best place to get a new rail limiter if it's rooted?