Limp mode or stall when accelerating around 70mph

[Silverwolf555]

Hi all,

 

First post, will do my best. Just purchased a 2009 x type estate. It's a 2.2 auto and has a hell of a fault.

Firstly, it doesnt idle smoothly, it sort of hunts when standing and it doesnt go away even when warm. Secondly, the car goes in to limp mode or stalls when i gently accelerate anywhere around 70mph. I did a few test of gentle or harsh acceleration to see if there was a difference. Under heavy acceleration it performs great, but if i go steady towards 70, then try to go past that range, the glow plug light flashes, engine warning light comes on and "transmission fault" message is shown.

I found a thread on here showing a similar problem that turned out to be the turbo actuator.

So far, i'm putting the hunting down to egr valve?

Thoughts? 

[JOE-DOT-COM]

hi

its hard to say on the diesels really, could be one of many things really and only guess work

get it plugged in , if its going into limp mode then theres fault code which will tell you where the fault is

cheers

Joe

[Silverwolf555]

Thank you. I forgot to mention, once stopped and shut down, fault disappears on startup. 

[DaveMech]

Hi John, 

As stated see if you can get some codes. I have a 2.2d manual and have experienced 2 separate EGR valve problems - each tended to cause stalling when moving off rather than any idling (but your autobox might mask this) but each prompted a code to be generated.

The way you describe it sounds as though small adjustments to control the idle or to gently increase speed are  involved.  I had a problem which caused the glow plug light to flash and the engine to drop into (gutless) limp home mode, mainly when accelerating at low revs in a high gear. This was diagnosed by a Jag specialist as sticking turbo vanes.  If you search for my few previous posts you will find a full explanation and solution. This may not be your problem but it would at least be worth disconnecting the turbo actuator arm and then move it back and forth to feel for any sticking/resistance that might make small adjustments difficult for the actuator motor. If there is, then try my solution. My car is still pulling smoothly like a train and is a delight! I run it on Shell Vpower+(expensive) to help prevent  EGR  or coking vane issues. You should at least avoid supermarket diesel (can be dirty) and/or run a fuel cleaner through regularly. From time to time I also keep it in a lower gear and let it run at 3500-4000rpm for a couple of miles to get the turbo and exhaust gases hot at a high flow which helps burn off/clear the soot. Diesel engines enjoy being thrashed but their high torque means that you seldom need to in normal driving, and if that driving is often short runs then the soot can build up! 

Hope this is useful,

David

[Old Peter]

Welcome to the club, John.

I have the s type 2.7 V6 engine which has two EGR valves.  Since about two years ago I have been using Millers Eco Plus Diesel which keeps the fuel system clean and I have not har and EGR fault since [P0420, I think].

David has pointed you towards Premium diesel which I also use,  Shell V Power+] and which will also give you a better MPG.   Using supermarket diesel fuel will save you some money but on the basis of swings and roundabouts, a shilling saved could cost you a Pound.

David has also mentioned keeping the car in a lower gear for a spell with the revs over 3500 which is also a good idea  ---  a bit of an occasional blast is good for a diesell.

Regards,

Peter.