1HZ high altitude smoking and sputtering (1 Viewer)

[EsbenDenmark]

I am having some issues at high altitude. My truck is a 1995 HZJ75 1hz non turbo engine (55.000km on the engine/truck, so barely broken in)
I had expected a loss of power but over 2500 meters (8000 feet ) it does start to sputter and at 3000 meters (9800 feet) blue/gray smoke starts.
at 3400 meters (11.000 feet )(the highest we have been) I could barely touch the throttle without it sputtering, cutting out and extreme smoking.
I am sure it is the lack of oxygen and bad combustion. The smoke smelled just like when our diesel heater starts/stops.

When the truck was idleling there was no problems

Please see video from somewhere around 3200 meters.


All was good again when I got back down to under 2500 meters. Also diesel addetive seemed to help a little.
The air filter is brand new.

Any ideas?
Is the high altitude compensator broken? will a aftermarket turbo help?

Sincerly Esben
www.instagram.com/LessIsMoreMemories

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Less dense air. Normal

 

[renago]

Let’s make a test !
Esben, you run for 1 km uphill at that altitude .
AND let us know If you spit, how is your heart rate, and how you feel , After the run!

 

[EsbenDenmark]

Walking would be more than enough!!

Let’s make a test !
Esben, you run for 1 km uphill at that altitude .
AND let us know If you spit, how is your heart rate, and how you feel , After the run!

 

[Sundowner]

I have a similar issue from 2000m and upwards: very poor combustion. I don't get white smoke, though, but mostly soot. I've taken the truck up to 3300m or so; there is a noticeable lack of performance at that altitude, but I'm the problem mostly corrects itself on the way back down.

 

[RHINO]

lack of power is normal but smoking and sputtering like that shouldnt be, does your engine have a HAC? is it functioning?

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

It is normal at such altitudes. There is less oxygen to burn fuel, despite the engine's compression.

A high-altitude compensator alleviates this. Check if your truck has one.

A low-pressure turbo can help, but you need to be careful with your setup and your right foot.





Juan

 

[Sundowner]

It is normal at such altitudes. There is less oxygen to burn fuel, despite the engine's compression.

That's kind of how I felt, I just didn't expect it to be that bad at those heights. But: same basic altitude as OP's rig, so...

A high-altitude compensator alleviates this. Check if your truck has one.

Bone stock 1HZ here, and even though I do have an HAC, it's not helping much because it's in a box on the parts shelf.

@EsbenDenmark : any seasonal change in performance at altitude? I go up to 2000m pretty often and always have issues, but it's worse in the winter.

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

I drove my 2L Hilux (non-turbo, no HAC, same tech as a 1HZ) up to 5,350 m (and spent weeks above 3500 m) and there was a clear loss of power. But I could easily stop it smoking by backing off the accelerator. And certainly, it did not splutter or cut out, ever. Power loss and black smoke are normal, rough running, blue smoke and cutting out indicate a fuel supply problem.

Oxygen concentration is not the only thing that changes with altitude - ambient temperature goes down, and therefore fuel viscosity increases. I'd be looking for anything that restricts fuel flow such as an aftermarket secondary fuel filter, or any kinks or obstructions in the fuel line.

 

[EsbenDenmark]

That's kind of how I felt, I just didn't expect it to be that bad at those heights. But: same basic altitude as OP's rig, so...



Bone stock 1HZ here, and even though I do have an HAC, it's not helping much because it's in a box on the parts shelf.

@EsbenDenmark : any seasonal change in performance at altitude? I go up to 2000m pretty often and always have issues, but it's worse in the winter.

No idea on the seasonal change. We are travelling from Europe to Australia so never back to the same place