Hills slow me down!

 
 
 
 
 
 
tony glenn
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Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 31.12.2020  ·  #1
Our 2004 Rimor Europeo is built on a Ford Transit base, 125 T350 diesel with 92000k on the clock. Regularly serviced, well maintained. Runs fine all the time, fast enough for us, reliable and responsive.....until a hill looms. Then, no matter what speed we are travelling at, the van will gradually slow, and the longer the incline the slower it gets, sometimes causing much embarrassment due to the tailback behind.
There are no signs of excessive engine wear, no smoke or aging noises.
Any thoughts on how to boost hill-climbing performance?


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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 31.12.2020  ·  #2
Some folks recommend getting them chipped. I’m unconvinced

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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 31.12.2020  ·  #3
Maybe she’s just underpowered, it’s not a fault. it’s just the way some engines are

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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 31.12.2020  ·  #4
Quote by tony glenn

Our 2004 Rimor Europeo is built on a Ford Transit base, 125 T350 diesel with 92000k on the clock. Regularly serviced, well maintained. Runs fine all the time, fast enough for us, reliable and responsive.....until a hill looms. Then, no matter what speed we are travelling at, the van will gradually slow, and the longer the incline the slower it gets, sometimes causing much embarrassment due to the tailback behind.
There are no signs of excessive engine wear, no smoke or aging noises.
Any thoughts on how to boost hill-climbing performance?


Tony that van should have more guts in it than you are describing, 125bhp with 92k surely has to have something not right.
I use transit vans for my work and would have that mileage on a three year old ,get someone to have a look at the turbo.

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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 31.12.2020  ·  #5
I'll take it to our local guy (best mechanic around!) as soon as I can.
If it's a possible slight clue, when I floor the accelerator hard in second gear it sometimes heitates as the revs increase (until I ease off), like a brief misfire. If I accelerate at an easier pace, it's fine.

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Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 31.12.2020  ·  #6
Quote by tony glenn

I'll take it to our local guy (best mechanic around!) as soon as I can.
If it's a possible slight clue, when I floor the accelerator hard in second gear it sometimes heitates as the revs increase (until I ease off), like a brief misfire. If I accelerate at an easier pace, it's fine.


I would also suggest you have a look is the turbo burnt and sticking,

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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 01.01.2021  ·  #7
My Ducato has a Variable-geometry turbo, a while ago I noticed a lack of grunt on hills and poor acceleration plus higher the usual fuel consumption. It turned out to be a sticking solenoid, AFAIK, which rendered the turbo non-variable.
Does your model of Transit have a variable-geometry turbo which has gone non-variable?

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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 01.01.2021  ·  #8
@baguette
Any further info on that turbo solenoid?

One of the lads has a 2.8 Ducato 2006 and its dead enough til you go into 5th and then it pulls as normal he says


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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 01.01.2021  ·  #9
Quote by mad max

@baguette
Any further info on that turbo solenoid?

One of the lads has a 2.8 Ducato 2006 and its dead enough til you go into 5th and then it pulls as normal he says


No info about the solenoid I'm afraid. I was told it activated/controlled the variation of the turbo geometry and it was seized.
The variable-geometry turbo was only available on the 2004 -2006 Power 146PS version in LHD models. Apart from the added power, the torque 'curve' is max 310 Nm at1,500 rpm and remains flat to 3,000 rpm before it begins to drop off.


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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 01.01.2021  ·  #10
Thanks for that Colin,

Ill pass the info on 👍🏻


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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 02.01.2021  ·  #11
This is getting way too technical for me, I was lost when SU carbs disappeared for ever! I'll pass on all comments to my mechanic and cross my fingers....

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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 02.01.2021  ·  #12
Oh ok didn’t know it was transit, I have an 08 ,85,260 an it would pull a house down in 3rd and 4th

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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 09.03.2021  ·  #13
Everything checked during today's service...no obvious problem found, other than general wear and possibly a build up of various internal gunge. (my interpretation of the conversation) It was suggested that I try VB25, so I forked out 35 euro at the motor shop in town.
The guy behind the counter promised me it would work miracles regarding performance, emissions and even acceleration. At that price, it better had!
Just add it to a quarter tank of diesel, then run it for half an hour apparently.
My tank is full at present, so it will be a while before I can try it. In the meantime, does anyone have anyexperience of this product?


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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 09.03.2021  ·  #14
Quote by tony glenn

Everything checked during today's service...no obvious problem found, other than general wear and possibly a build up of various internal gunge. (my interpretation of the conversation) It was suggested that I try VB25, so I forked out 35 euro at the motor shop in town.
The guy behind the counter promised me it would work miracles regarding performance, emissions and even acceleration. At that price, it better had!
Just add it to a quarter tank of diesel, then run it for half an hour apparently.
My tank is full at present, so it will be a while before I can try it. In the meantime, does anyone have anyexperience of this product?

What is VB25? at €35 a shot it must be very exotic.
What is your base vehicle, is it a Ducato, what year.
Motorhomes definitely need an 'Italian tune up' regularly because they are normally driven so sedately. I give mine a good blast up and down the local dual carriageway (20km each way) every three weeks or so when it's not in use.


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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 09.03.2021  ·  #15
It's a Transit 125 T350, non turbo.
This is VB26:
"VB26-IT Both gasoline and diesel fuel additive and cleaner for carburetors, for all types of injection systems, for combustion chambers, egr valves, particulate filters, catalytic converters, turbo chargers. Solves problems within 30 minutes of driving, restores performance, reduces toxic emissions and allows passing the MOT test, thanks to severe, deep and permanent cleaning."
Google Smog Doctor if you're interested.
I'm trying to boost embarrassing uphill performance, everything fine when level driving, gradual frustrating slowdown on uphill gradients.


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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 09.03.2021  ·  #16
Quote by tony glenn

I'll take it to our local guy (best mechanic around!) as soon as I can.
If it's a possible slight clue, when I floor the accelerator hard in second gear it sometimes heitates as the revs increase (until I ease off), like a brief misfire. If I accelerate at an easier pace, it's fine.


Could be a fuel pump problem, hopefully that VB26 will clean it out. But after you have cleaned out the system and if you drive it on and it's still slow to pick up speed. Fuel pump not getting the diesel into her fast enough

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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 09.03.2021  ·  #17
Quote by tony glenn

It's a Transit 125 T350, non turbo.


From memory Tony your transit is 2004, I'd say you have a turbo in under the bonnet somewhere, 👍🏻

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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 09.03.2021  ·  #18
Might not apply to you but might help. In my VW Transporter I have started very recently to use BP Premium Diesel. Consider using Premium Diesel that is available in your area.

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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 10.03.2021  ·  #19
Quote by mad max

Quote by tony glenn

It's a Transit 125 T350, non turbo.


From memory Tony your transit is 2004, I'd say you have a turbo in under the bonnet somewhere, 👍🏻


I was wondering about that...I always assumed the T in T350 stood for Turbo!
The problem is (strictly between us) I wouldn't know what a turbo looked like if it bit me on the arse. Looking under the bonnet, I can see and identify most components... there's nothing there that makes me say 'I wonder what that is?'
Hence I just nodded when my guy said there's no turbo. Plus I didn't want to get on the wrong side of the Lithuanian mafia......

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Transit 125 T350, non turbo.

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Posted: 10.03.2021  ·  #20
Sounds like its second opinion time, call into any garage or repair shop and ask them to confirm if there is one or not.
It does sound like there isn't one, if there is it is not working properly.
turbo's are designed to give you a boost when you need the extra power.

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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 10.03.2021  ·  #21
Quote by sprinter

Sounds like its second opinion time, call into any garage or repair shop and ask them to confirm if there is one or not.
It does sound like there isn't one, if there is it is not working properly.
turbo's are designed to give you a boost when you need the extra power.


That reminded me of the old gag.... Patient: I want a second opinion.
Doctor: OK, come back tomorrow and I'll tell you again!
😂


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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 10.03.2021  ·  #22
Quote by tony glenn

Quote by mad max

Quote by tony glenn

It's a Transit 125 T350, non turbo.


From memory Tony your transit is 2004, I'd say you have a turbo in under the bonnet somewhere, 👍🏻


I was wondering about that...I always assumed the T in T350 stood for Turbo!
The problem is (strictly between us) I wouldn't know what a turbo looked like if it bit me on the arse. Looking under the bonnet, I can see and identify most components... there's nothing there that makes me say 'I wonder what that is?'
Hence I just nodded when my guy said there's no turbo. Plus I didn't want to get on the wrong side of the Lithuanian mafia......


The T350 is the chassis, it'll be rated for 3500kgs but the 125 will be the power rating (125bhp). For a 2004 Transit 125, it'll probably be a 2.4TDDI (Turbo Diesel Direct Injection) but may be a TDCI (Turbo Diesel Common-rail Injection). I don't think there was a non turbo version of the 2.4 and there certainly wasn't a non turbo engine putting out 125bhp.

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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 10.03.2021  ·  #23
Quote by <BM>

Quote by tony glenn

Quote by mad max

Quote by tony glenn

It's a Transit 125 T350, non turbo.


From memory Tony your transit is 2004, I'd say you have a turbo in under the bonnet somewhere, 👍🏻


I was wondering about that...I always assumed the T in T350 stood for Turbo!
The problem is (strictly between us) I wouldn't know what a turbo looked like if it bit me on the arse. Looking under the bonnet, I can see and identify most components... there's nothing there that makes me say 'I wonder what that is?'
Hence I just nodded when my guy said there's no turbo. Plus I didn't want to get on the wrong side of the Lithuanian mafia......


The T350 is the chassis, it'll be rated for 3500kgs but the 125 will be the power rating (125bhp). For a 2004 Transit 125, it'll probably be a 2.4TDDI (Turbo Diesel Direct Injection) but may be a TDCI (Turbo Diesel Common-rail Injection). I don't think there was a non turbo version of the 2.4 and there certainly wasn't a non turbo engine putting out 125bhp.

Many thanks for the info, the plot thickens! I can't understand why my guy would say there was no turbo. He's a top-class mechanic with a great local reputation. I'm puzzled tbh.
Either way, hopefully the VB25 magic additive will help the situation. I've a full tank of diesel so I'll have to wait until we're travelling (it has to be quarter full to add the stuff as per instructions)


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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 10.03.2021  ·  #24
Out of curiosity, I've given a quick google of Mk6 transit engine options and found this page

It seems like there was a 125bhp 2.4DI without a turbo, I stand corrected


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Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 10.03.2021  ·  #25
Quote by <BM>

Out of curiosity, I've given a quick google of Mk6 transit engine options and found this page

It seems like there was a 125bhp 2.4DI without a turbo, I stand corrected




If you had the 75HP version you would probably struggle up hills.


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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 10.03.2021  ·  #26
Quote by sprinter

Quote by <BM>

Out of curiosity, I've given a quick google of Mk6 transit engine options and found this page

It seems like there was a 125bhp 2.4DI without a turbo, I stand corrected




If you had the 75HP version you would probably struggle up hills.


You'd probably struggle to go downhill in a 75bhp 3500kg coach built. I struggle to see how two variants of the same engine can have 75bhp and 125bhp respectively and both be normally aspirated, all diesels run lean so it can't be just a fueling thing, you need to somehow get more air in there.


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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 10.03.2021  ·  #27
Chassis no and ring a Ford dealer might help


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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 11.03.2021  ·  #28
Thanks all for your replies, I'll investigate further. The problem has only become gradually apparent over the last few seasons, so I'm hoping that the highly recommended VB25 might be at least a partial answer.
Thankfully for now, most long gradients have slow lanes!


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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 11.03.2021  ·  #29
I have a mk6 ford transit T350 2.4 which had the same problem and I was loosing power to the point where I couldn’t get up the smallest of inclines. I’m big into trouble shooting myself and went trough every possible fault and event went as far as buying software to read the engine fault (mk6 transit is not OBD2 compatible so the hand held scanners are no good) 100% it’s the egr valve and solenoid combination and not the turbo (cheap fix). You have two options remove the egr and clean it out with some solvent and refit. Mine was faulty so I replaced it, 4 bolts and a jubilee clip. Mk6 is the easiest engine to work on for a novice.

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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 11.03.2021  ·  #30
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Re: Hills slow me down!

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Posted: 11.03.2021  ·  #31
Thanks for the info, much appreciated.


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