Technical No power
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Technical
No power
Hi and welcome here!
If it runs fine on the flat but loses power uphill, this is almost always a load-related issue, not a general engine fault.
I’d check things in this order:
1. Turbo/boost system
Under load the engine needs boost. Check all turbo hoses carefully (especially underneath) for splits, soft spots, or loose clips. Also make sure the wastegate isn’t stuck open. No boost = no power uphill.
2. Fuel supply restriction
Very common on older Ducatos, especially campers. Replace the fuel filter (even if it was “recently done”), check for collapsed hoses, air leaks in fuel lines, or a partially blocked tank pickup. Fuel starvation shows up first on hills.
3. EGR valve stuck open
If the EGR is open when climbing, the engine feels strangled. Try temporarily disconnecting or blanking the EGR to see if power returns.
4. Exhaust restriction
Collapsed silencer or blocked exhaust can feel exactly like this: revs fine in neutral, no power under load.
5. Injection pump/timing (less common)
Slightly retarded timing or a tired pump usually shows as poor hill performance first, but I’d only look here after checking the basics above.
Quick question that helps a lot: Does it produce black smoke when you try to climb and still won’t pull?
That answer alone points strongly to either boost loss or fuel restriction.
If it runs fine on the flat but loses power uphill, this is almost always a load-related issue, not a general engine fault.
I’d check things in this order:
1. Turbo/boost system
Under load the engine needs boost. Check all turbo hoses carefully (especially underneath) for splits, soft spots, or loose clips. Also make sure the wastegate isn’t stuck open. No boost = no power uphill.
2. Fuel supply restriction
Very common on older Ducatos, especially campers. Replace the fuel filter (even if it was “recently done”), check for collapsed hoses, air leaks in fuel lines, or a partially blocked tank pickup. Fuel starvation shows up first on hills.
3. EGR valve stuck open
If the EGR is open when climbing, the engine feels strangled. Try temporarily disconnecting or blanking the EGR to see if power returns.
4. Exhaust restriction
Collapsed silencer or blocked exhaust can feel exactly like this: revs fine in neutral, no power under load.
5. Injection pump/timing (less common)
Slightly retarded timing or a tired pump usually shows as poor hill performance first, but I’d only look here after checking the basics above.
Quick question that helps a lot: Does it produce black smoke when you try to climb and still won’t pull?
That answer alone points strongly to either boost loss or fuel restriction.
PL 8
Member
Why especially campers?
Thank you so much for your reply. There is no black smoke thankfully, but I'll certainly be going through the list of options you have kindly supplied. Hopefully I can get it sorted. Thanks again
Because campers are used very differently from vans, and that really matters for the fuel system.
Main reasons:
Long periods of storage
Campers often sit unused for months. Diesel degrades, absorbs moisture, and allows sludge/algae to form in the tank. That slowly blocks the pickup strainer and fuel filter.
Low fuel turnover
A delivery van burns through fuel quickly. A camper might run the same diesel for a year or more. Old diesel = higher chance of restriction.
Sediment stirred up on hills
On flat roads the engine may cope. On climbs, fuel demand rises and sediment in the tank gets disturbed, partially blocking the pickup. Classic “fine on flat, dead uphill” symptom.
Tank condition
Older Ducato camper tanks often have internal rust or scale. Even small flakes are enough to starve the pump under load.
Extra weight
Campers are heavy. Higher load uphill means much higher fuel demand, so any small restriction suddenly becomes very noticeable.That’s why on older Ducato campers, fuel filter and supply checks are always high on the list, even when the engine sounds perfectly healthy.
Short version: It’s not the engine being special, it’s how campers are used.
You’re welcomeThank you so much for your reply. There is no black smoke thankfully, but I'll certainly be going through the list of options you have kindly supplied. Hopefully I can get it sorted. Thanks again
No black smoke is actually useful information. It points more toward fuel delivery or boost control rather than over-fueling. Take it step by step, starting with the easy checks (fuel filter, lines, boost hoses), and you’ll almost certainly find it without throwing parts at it.
Let us know what you find.
I will of course Mike, and thanks again!You’re welcome
No black smoke is actually useful information. It points more toward fuel delivery or boost control rather than over-fueling. Take it step by step, starting with the easy checks (fuel filter, lines, boost hoses), and you’ll almost certainly find it without throwing parts at it.
Let us know what you find.
