FZJ80 Power Loss in hills and pinging

[Vlex]

Hi all!

We are on holiday in France with our FZJ80. When we hit the hills we noticed a lot of power loss. As soon as there is a hill the car slows down, even with full throttle.
The car is dual fuel petrol/LPG.
If I push the car a lot with WOT it sounds like it’s pinging. When I release the throttle is back to normal.

- no error codes
- runs ok at idle
- problem occurs with petrol and LPG, so probably not a fuel problem.
- cap and rotor are looking good.
- didn’t check spark plugs yet (are 20.000 mi old. Original denso)
- fixed a crack wire at TPS sensor, didn’t fix the problem.
- at WOT the TPS data shows 66%. Is this normal?

I’ll post some screenshots of OBD2 data:

I hope some of you could point me in the right direction. Thanks!

 

[Vlex]

I also noticed this gap at the TPS. The FSM states that this should be under 1mm?

 

[efjayatee]

Knock sensors could be the cause of Pinging

 

[robnicko]

as above, check knock sensors, also,

is it pinging on both fuels or just petrol or gas?​

running LPG (as I do) when was the last valve clearance done?​

check the timing - set to 3deg btdc​

does it have CAT's? one may be blocked - this can happen all of a sudden​

unless some one has played with the TPS dont touch it, its set at factory​

check for vacuum leaks​

at full throttle is it kicking back a gear (assuming an auto)?​

 

[petegangies]

as above, check knock sensors, also,

is it pinging on both fuels or just petrol or gas?​

running LPG (as I do) when was the last valve clearance done?​

check the timing - set to 3deg btdc​

does it have CAT's? one may be blocked - this can happen all of a sudden​

unless some one has played with the TPS dont touch it, its set at factory​

check for vacuum leaks​

at full throttle is it kicking back a gear (assuming an auto)?​

pings on both fuels according to ops original post..so unlikely to be a bad batch of fuel.

@Vlex any recent work done on the vehicle?

 

[Vlex]

as above, check knock sensors, also,

is it pinging on both fuels or just petrol or gas?​

running LPG (as I do) when was the last valve clearance done?​

check the timing - set to 3deg btdc​

does it have CAT's? one may be blocked - this can happen all of a sudden​

unless some one has played with the TPS dont touch it, its set at factory​

check for vacuum leaks​

at full throttle is it kicking back a gear (assuming an auto)?​

The pinging occurs with both fuels. But not very often. The power loss is the main problem and we had to push the car hard a couple of times tot get on a hill, that’s when the pinging happend. Probably 3 times. In normal driving it’s not pinging, just weak.

Valve clearance is a long time ago, not in my ownership.

Haven’t checked timing, will do as soon as I can get my hands on a timing light.
Did the timing when I changed my cap/rotor and advanced it to 6 degrees as stated on this forum, instead of the factory 3 degrees. Drove really nice for a long time.

It has 1 cat which is 5 years old/ 40.000 mi old.

Local shop checked vacuum and was normal.

At full throttle it is kicking back. But maybe a little bit later than normal.

Did a lot of OBD parameter testing and all the sensors seem normal.
Only thing is that the TPS has a range of 1-66 instead of the factory 10-75. But maybe this is a interpretation difference of the OBD reader.

 

[Vlex]

pings on both fuels according to ops original post..so unlikely to be a bad batch of fuel.

@Vlex any recent work done on the vehicle?

No recent engine work done. Just a lot of suspension bushings.

 

[petegangies]

No recent engine work done. Just a lot of suspension bushings.

ignition coil?

 

[Vlex]

ignition coil?

Unknown mileage. So it is a suspect. But it does check ok with FSM specs. Could it be that it is ok normally, but failing under load? (Without a misfire or code)

CORRECTION: checked it again and it failed on the secondary check; it has 0.03 kOhm instead of 9-15 kOhm. Triple checked it at it’s definitely not within spec. So will be trying to source a new one.

 

[petegangies]

Unknown mileage. So it is a suspect. But it does check ok with FSM specs. Could it be that it is ok normally, but failing under load? (Without a misfire or code)

CORRECTION: checked it again and it failed on the secondary check; it has 0.03 kOhm instead of 9-15 kOhm. Triple checked it at it’s definitely not within spec. So will be trying to source a new one.

Mine was within spec, but was replaced years ago with an unknown mileage second hand one. Also, the demand on the ignition system with LPG is higher. Once I put a fresh coil in, I was surprised at the difference. So while it passed FSM tests stationary, I'd say it was under strain when under load. They're quite affordable from Dave Stedman or Amayama.

 

[Vlex]

A new ignition coil unfortunately didn’t fixed the problem. Will be checking the timing tomorrow. (It’s hard to find a timing light in France…) and trying to find someone to check the backpressure of the exhaust.

Any more ideas?

 

[petegangies]

I'd be waiting to check that timing first. You dont need a fancy timing light, surely Amazon or Ebay in your country will have something. Mine is from the 80s, cheap and still works to this day.

 

[Vlex]

Timing checked out. Years ago I advanced it to 4 degrees instead of the factory 3. It is still at 4 degrees. Later today we will check the compression and change the spark plugs.

 

[Vlex]

It turned out to be a clogged catalytic converter. A local 4x4 mechanic gutted it and the power is back!
When we are back home I will arrange a new cat.

Thanks for the input!

 

[petegangies]

It turned out to be a clogged catalytic converter. A local 4x4 mechanic gutted it and the power is back!
When we are back home I will arrange a new cat.

Thanks for the input!

Good result. Second person on here this week thats happened to.

 

[robnicko]

Bingo!