Surf moves like a slug... Help!

[ezsurf]

Hello to Everyone!
I recently got a 91 Surf SSRX with a 2LTE engine, A/T from a friend who gave up on trying to diagnose and fix the problem. The Surf can hardly take off even when pedal is floored. The following might help in the
diagnosis:
--Overhauled engine...less than a year ago.
--Hard to start, even when engine is warmed up.(glow plugs and relay ok)
--Engine sounds clattery, more than the usual diesel clatter
--Turbo light on before starting, off when started, never turns on again
--Wastgate actuator doesn't seem frozen.
--No apparent vacuum leaks
--No smoke even when floored up to 4500 rpm(like there's not enough diesel in the mixture)
I compared the turbo boost pressure from a boost gause which I transplanted from my other vehicle with the same 2LTE engine(on a Prado) and it reads only up to 5 psi max; in contrast the Prado's boost goes from 0 to 10psi at 2000 rpms onwards and pulls great.
Since there is some boost, would it be a proper guess that the turbo isn't dead and that maybe a lack of fuel pressure or something's wrong at the fuel pump end that is causing the turbo not to boost up to 10 psi? The Surf--even if floored can only attain a 5 psi boost. Can a faulty pump cause a low boost situation?
Should I gamble and have the pump overhauled--since it has got at least four sensors on it , timing issues etc? Thanks in advance!

[exmee46]

Lack of fuel will affect the turbo pressure since the power to drive the turbo is taken from the energy wasted in the exhaust gases and if there is not enough fuel coming through there wont be enough spare energy to power the turbo.

So while it might be a mechanical fault in the turbo the fuel system is probably the first thing to overhaul. Cheapest is probably the injector timing - may be out of place.

But this could end up costing quite a lot of money since you might also have a faulty ECU - or any of the sensors along the way, fuel pump, injectors etc. so better set yourself a budget.

Just one other thing - are you sure the auto tgransmission is OK - and you are not just losing all the power in there - low fluid - broken torque convertor - slipping bands. Does it lock up in 4th properly? If so, you should get a better idea of the true power and torque in the engine in lockup.

Good luck

Cheers

Kev

[marky]

Also check vacuum pipes are connected properly

[Smurf]

Have you checked your timing, if it is more clattery than other diesels you may be a tooth out causing loss of power. Before you spend fortunes on turbo and injectors or pump rebuilds check some basics like timing and compression.Sorry if you have already done all that.

[ezsurf]

Thank you for the quick response! Kev, with regards to the transmission, everything seems ok, no obvious slippage, moves up to fourth, overdrive works.

With a hard to start condition(glow plugs and relay ok) cold or warm, I am convinced that turbo is ok and this is a fuel injection issue like incorrect timing or defective pump settings. Will keep everyone posted...

BTW, I always thought that the 2LTE's diesel injection was electronic and thus the timing is electronically controlled. When you say timing, is this similar to the petrol engine, where you line up marks on say the flwywheel, etc, i.e. 0 deg btdc? etc

[Smurf]

The 2lte does have an ecu but is not fully electronically controlled, i am no diesel pump expert but it definitely has one that needs to be timed spot on, it isnt hard to do but can be fiddly. Its well worth checking, also valve clearances could be wrong depending on who changed the head. If the head was not re-shimmed correctly you could have several valves that dont seal properly which would give a power loss. As said above have a good check through the vacuum hoses for anything obvious then move on to timing, compression, if compresion poor then check valve clearances. Hope you get it sorted, Ed

[ezsurf]

Some progress diagnosing el sluggo.....

Hello again to Everyone...
I really must say that this forum has been so helpful in sorting out problems with the Surf. After tinkering around with the Surf today, I noticed that the check engine light had been tampered with and the led bulb was permanently disconnected(unslodered) to prevent the annoying glow. I resoldered it back on and the light stayed on after restart. Armed with the resources here, I was able to get the diagnostic error code--a bad crankshaft position sensor and timing control valve sensor. Code 12 and 13. The funny thing is the multimeter pulsed 12 times and 13 times after the pause, not pulsing by single digits.
Oh well,getting there. It could be the problemsI guess,without the crank sensor telling the ecu its being started.. and the timing as I suspected wasway off thus causing the hard start problem!

Can anyone please tell me where the crank sensor is on the 2LTE?The manual in the tech section is for a 1kzte engine and might be in a different area of the engine Thanks to all of you!

[stimpy30]

Hello to Everyone!
I recently got a 91 Surf SSRX with a 2LTE engine, A/T from a friend who gave up on trying to diagnose and fix the problem. The Surf can hardly take off even when pedal is floored. The following might help in the
diagnosis:
--Overhauled engine...less than a year ago.
--Hard to start, even when engine is warmed up.(glow plugs and relay ok)
--Engine sounds clattery, more than the usual diesel clatter
--Turbo light on before starting, off when started, never turns on again
--Wastgate actuator doesn't seem frozen.
--No apparent vacuum leaks
--No smoke even when floored up to 4500 rpm(like there's not enough diesel in the mixture)
I compared the turbo boost pressure from a boost gause which I transplanted from my other vehicle with the same 2LTE engine(on a Prado) and it reads only up to 5 psi max; in contrast the Prado's boost goes from 0 to 10psi at 2000 rpms onwards and pulls great.
Since there is some boost, would it be a proper guess that the turbo isn't dead and that maybe a lack of fuel pressure or something's wrong at the fuel pump end that is causing the turbo not to boost up to 10 psi? The Surf--even if floored can only attain a 5 psi boost. Can a faulty pump cause a low boost situation?
Should I gamble and have the pump overhauled--since it has got at least four sensors on it , timing issues etc? Thanks in advance!

hi 2.4 turbo light supposed to come on with ignition then go out on start and recome on at hard revs or drive if not turbos not boosting proply check turbo control solonoid on near side wing as vac pipe falls off causing turbo failure hope this helps p.s pipe falls of under manidold so you can,t tell its disconnected

[ezsurf]

The slug's still slow...engine or transmission problem?Opinions please!

Hello to Everyone..

Surf the slug still can't accelerate, engine doesn't smoke at all, idling fine, fuel pump fine, new injectors, no apparent vacuum leaks or exhaust blockage.
Shifts smoothly all gears, no slips.

One thing I did notice is even when I go up my garage(15deg incline) it can hardly climb with the A/C on. I also tried 4 LO and it readily climbs(it better!) I read up on stall speed tests (where you floor the pedal with the brakes fully depressed and on D) and it could only go to 1400 rpm. I am therefore suspecting the torque converter now...

Please post your opinions, is this an engine problem or transmission problem(particularly the torque converter) so I could make a better decision...Thanks!

[paul T]

code 12

if the check code is a 12 its timer control valve have you got a loud diesel knock and maybe a bit more smoke than normal does it turn off smoothley? i had this and found it was the timer control valve was shot check the resistance of it, i think it should be between 10 and 14 ohms mine was about 26 so threw it in the bin and replaced it tricky to do with pump in place but can be done with loads of swearing and grazed knuckles sounds to me this is your problem it is 2 wires out from back of pump to block check the resistance then check wit voltage to terminals no more than 30 seconds you should hear a click if not bin it and replace it