General Ducato 2.8d lack of power

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General Ducato 2.8d lack of power

redmonds

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Hi,

I only got it the weekend but have no previous history, mine is also a 2000 swift sundance camper van. It has the 2.8d engine and has covered 67k miles and does not smoke. I've looked under the bonnet and changed the oil and coolant, there nothing other than a weeping diesel return pipe (ordered £21) that I've noticed.
Taking it for a drive it has no power/pull what so ever, I could get the van to 60mph max (no more) but as soon as it hits the slightest grandaunt I had to change down and sometimes down to third. the van blows no smoke out other that when revved fast/hard on the drive and it seems to rev freely.
Also the coolant fan seems to stay on a good 15-20mins after I pulled up and turned the engine off, the temp gauge sits at about 25% on the dash.
 
You say 2.8d so I assume you mean the non turbo engine.

To put things in perspective the non turbo 2.8 is only:
86 hp @ 3,800 rpm
180 Nm @ 2,000 rpm
You're probably pulling close to 3 tons its not going to go 60mph up any kind a decent hill.

Torque falls off rapidly with increased rpm so theres no pint in using high revs it in third on a hill.

It might be worth changing the fuel filter and checking the tank and tank strainer in case of fuel starvation.

If you want to do 60mph up hills you need a turbo.

I would test fan switch and thermostat with boiling water.
 
Last edited:
Hi,


Thanks for the reply.
I accept the facts that its only 86bhp and that its pulling a lot of weight but its really does lack power. the owners manual quotes it as having a top speed of over 100mph, there's no way this van will reach such speeds. it really does struggle to get going in any gear, I have a mk1 freelander so I do understand what slow acceleration and lack of power feels like.
its hard to explain just how it feels to drive but what ever speed its carrying on the flat soon falls of when you hit the smallest of a gradient. this results in me moving up and down the gearbox and having my foot to the floor constantly, it really is a workout just to keep it moving.
It states on the wing that its a 2.8d but I would like help in finding out what engine is in the van if that possible so I know what to look for.
 
If you post your vin I can double check the engine.

I would eliminate the basics first.
First make sure you don't actually have a temperature / coolant circulation problem or you could end up with big problems gasket. I user an ir thermometer to check rad, block, hose temperatures if you don't have one then its as easy to replace the thermostat and fan switch as test them.

In terms of fuelling.
Check theres nothing obstructing the full travel of the pedal - very common in motorhomes for mats and carpet to ride up.
Check throttle cable isn't loose - the throttle lever should reach the limit stop when pedal pressed fully.
Replace fuel filter
Check the strainer in the tank - theres a hatch by the passengers feet to access it.
Put in quality fresh diesel if you haven't already
Put in good injector cleaner with a cetane improver.
Check / Replace air filter - could be completely clogged, if its black you need to clear your pcv valve
 
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