Strange Happenings...What Does This Do? (1 Viewer)

[J78]

Finally going through my fresh-off-the-boat KZJ78. Found three (As Seen On Late Night TV) "fuel conditioning magnets" on the (diesel) fuel line. The air intake bellows was wrapped with bare copper wire and sealed with heat-shrink tape (bare wire connected to ground), and there are decorative/carefully placed pieces of silver duct tape stuck everywhere under the hood. Found this knob on the dash, under the wheel. There are two cables or lines leading from it, heading deep down into the engine compartment. Any idea what this does?

 

[AirheadNut]

Sheesh, sounds like someone went full snake oil on that! Not entirely sure what the pictured device is, it looks like a pressure regulator. Could be a boost controller, is there a line tee'd into the hose between the turbo housing and the waste gate actuator?

 

[J78]

Sheesh, sounds like someone went full snake oil on that! Not entirely sure what the pictured device is, it looks like a pressure regulator. Could be a boost controller, is there a line tee'd into the hose between the turbo housing and the waste gate actuator?

Haven't had a chance to get deep into the engine compartment yet. The lines disappear somewhere in the area of the turbo...

 

[Behemoth60]

Could be a boost controller

Almost definately a boost controller. It follows the theme of the other unnecessary accesspries already described. Boost controller is another common accessory for people who are easily fooled into buying snake oil solutions to problems they never had in the first place. <If you ain't tuning a race engine to just barely maintain the correct AFR at peak HP, then you probably don't need a boost controller!>

Speaking of which.... I have a used boost controller for sale. I took it off an HJ61 I purchased. These things are absolutley essential to fine tune how much boost you are making when driving, really this is the only way to actually manage boost to prevent it from destroying your precious and delicate engine. $1,000 is pretty cheap compared to the price of a new engine.

 

[J78]

Almost definately a boost controller. It follows the theme of the other unnecessary accesspries already described. Boost controller is another common accessory for people who are easily fooled into buying snake oil solutions to problems they never had in the first place. <If you ain't tuning a race engine to just barely maintain the correct AFR at peak HP, then you probably don't need a boost controller!>

Speaking of which.... I have a used boost controller for sale. I took it off an HJ61 I purchased. These things are absolutley essential to fine tune how much boost you are making when driving, really this is the only way to actually manage boost to prevent it from destroying your precious and delicate engine. $1,000 is pretty cheap compared to the price of a new engine.

Thx. Can I remove it without issue?

 

[jblueridge]

The boost controller can be removed but you have to reconnect the ends of the hoses or tubes that go into it.

 

[Rigster]

Finally going through my fresh-off-the-boat KZJ78. Found three (As Seen On Late Night TV) "fuel conditioning magnets" on the (diesel) fuel line. The air intake bellows was wrapped with bare copper wire and sealed with heat-shrink tape (bare wire connected to ground), and there are decorative/carefully placed pieces of silver duct tape stuck everywhere under the hood. Found this knob on the dash, under the wheel. There are two cables or lines leading from it, heading deep down into the engine compartment. Any idea what this does?

View attachment 3799379

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The copper wire and magnets basically work like a tinfoil hat, but for Land Cruisers...

As others suggested the dial is likely a boost controller. Before taking it out, I would play with it while test driving and see if it makes any difference, who knows, you might like it or appreciate it. If the PO went to all that trouble, is there a boost gauge in the cockpit? That would be the easiest way to tell if it even does anything. I would find it exceedingly odd to go to all that trouble without adding a boost gauge as well, but then again, they like tinfoil hats, so....

 

[jblueridge]

The lines plumbed into it look very heavy duty.
It is very strange.

 

[J78]

The copper wire and magnets basically work like a tinfoil hat, but for Land Cruisers...

As others suggested the dial is likely a boost controller. Before taking it out, I would play with it while test driving and see if it makes any difference, who knows, you might like it or appreciate it. If the PO went to all that trouble, is there a boost gauge in the cockpit? That would be the easiest way to tell if it even does anything. I would find it exceedingly odd to go to all that trouble without adding a boost gauge as well, but then again, they like tinfoil hats, so....

Yes, there is a boost gauge. What readings should I expect? What is too high?

 

[J78]

The lines plumbed into it look very heavy duty.
It is very strange.

They are wrapped in some sort of sleeve, making them look thicker than they are. Underneath, they appear to be vacuum hoses.

 

[Rigster]

Yes, there is a boost gauge. What readings should I expect? What is too high?

I do not own a KZJ but I believe the normal/stock upper range for these engines before the fuel cuts is 15PSI. If someone went to the trouble to add a boost controller they most likely also managed to bypass the fuel cut to pass the 15PSI mark. If they did not change the stock turbo I think they are good to get to around 20PSI. IMHO I think you could run at 20PSI all day and be fine, just watch the EGT's if you are doing long climbs on the highway up a mountain pass.

I am sure if you search MUD for KZJ tuning and safe boost ranges you should find others with real world trial and error pro and cons, and not just an opinion like mine (though it is educated through owning and tuning diesels for over 35 years - just not with a KZJ)

If you are concerned at all, then turn the dial down and drive it normally until you have had time to research, learn about the mods/add-ons/upgrades on your cruiser and what is acceptable by other KZJ owners before tearing things out. There are some mods, that if taken out, may make the engine not run right until you find all the OEM pieces and parts that have been replaced and/or modified.

All the best with your new ride!!

 

[Owyhee Jackass]

Looking at the size/type of the tubing, it could be a line lock for the brakes.

https://us.misumi-ec.com/vona2/maker/nihonseiki/mech/M1900000000/M1906000000/

 

[J78]

Looking at the size/type of the tubing, it could be a line lock for the brakes.

https://us.misumi-ec.com/vona2/maker/nihonseiki/mech/M1900000000/M1906000000/

Looks like vacuum tubing. I'm going to climb underneath this week to see what's up.