Poor MPG & lack of power when towing

[DingDong]

Hi all, I have signed up here as im hoping to get less teeth sucking and more answers.

I have a 2003 Nissan Terrano 2.7 TD Sport and have been running it for about 2 years, I have aways thought it to be quite juicy compared to the Maverick we had before. Anyway we have just bought a new caravan and found that the Terrano is nearly useless at towing. Its lacking power and I struggle to get it over 50mph and any slight incline drop me into 2nd gear. This never happened in the Maverick. Also the Terrano will drink a full tank of diesel in less than 300 miles without the caravan on the back :nenau

Not sure where to start, could it be the mass air flow sensor? should i have it remapped? HELP!!

 

[lacroupade]

Hi all, I have signed up here as im hoping to get less teeth sucking and more answers.

I have a 2003 Nissan Terrano 2.7 TD Sport and have been running it for about 2 years, I have aways thought it to be quite juicy compared to the Maverick we had before. Anyway we have just bought a new caravan and found that the Terrano is nearly useless at towing. Its lacking power and I struggle to get it over 50mph and any slight incline drop me into 2nd gear. This never happened in the Maverick. Also the Terrano will drink a full tank of diesel in less than 300 miles without the caravan on the back :nenau

Not sure where to start, could it be the mass air flow sensor? should i have it remapped? HELP!!

Not remapping....but yes, check the MAF and have you had the fuel and air filters changed? If not, do so but USE DECENT ONES not third-party rubbish.

If you still find power inadequate - and unless your new van is a stonker you shouldn't - search for Tunit and Powerbox threads,,,,,good for another 20-25hp. :thumb2

 

[Timbo_1975]

Almost certain MAF failure!

I have a SWB TDI. It's giving substantially more than 150bhp and I get 380-400miles / tank with a mix of solo, and towing a 3t box trailer.

Firstly get the MAF looked at, and when its running well, have it mapped or powerbox-ed.

 

[ocelot]

Sounds like a breathing issue to me............. check the air filter?? obviously getting the diesel, also turbo, is it getting the signal to boost? MAF could be the problem as this tells the ECU about air flow...........

 

[DingDong]

Thanks for the advice gents, where would be the best place to get a replacement MAF? I see there are plenty of inports on ebay, are they worth the savings?

I have been quoted £200.00 for re-mapping my ECU to 150BHP would this be the same as getting a powerbox?

 

[danielj]

Haven't towed a caravan but have towed trailers and definately couldn't say it was anything like useless towing. The lack of power that you refer to sounds much the same as problem I had. I would have to put it down to 1st gear to get up some hills and that's with no load behind. And no matter how much accellerator I gave it it would not go faster than a crawl until I got to less of an incline. On the open road on the flat with no load it seemed to be fine. Diesel technician that repaired mine said there was mechanical failings with the diesel pump and MAF was gone. Recondition of the pump was costly. I wish I had been a member of this site before I had the work done as I would have tried changing the MAF first as it seemed like an air problem rather than a fuel problem.

 

[wildbri]

you could clean the Maf its easily done, I use switch cleaner and cotton buds. Just take out the screws and the sensor pulls out. You could run it with the maf unplugged to see if that makes it worse, regards bri

 

[clivvy]

certainly sounds like MAF, and as Bri says, easily removed and checked. when I did mine, i just left it soaking over night (i had a fault code for the AMF) and the fault code went, some power restored.

There is a site that sells them, http://www.airflowmeters.co.uk/ for my 97, its about £180, but its the correct HItachi one, so have look, I bet yours is a load cheaper. As Bri says tho, just unplug it and see if its the same.

 

[lacroupade]

certainly sounds like MAF, and as Bri says, easily removed and checked. when I did mine, i just left it soaking over night (i had a fault code for the AMF) and the fault code went, some power restored.

There is a site that sells them, http://www.airflowmeters.co.uk/ for my 97, its about £180, but its the correct HItachi one, so have look, I bet yours is a load cheaper. As Bri says tho, just unplug it and see if its the same.

Make sure you buy the right MAF - I'm guessing you have a Bosch not a Hitachi....the latter is around £400 in the dealers (but ultra-reliable compared to the Bosch)...while the Bosch is under £100......it will say Bosch or Hitachi on the MAF itself.

Only advice I can give is we constantly see folks who skimp on filters etc.. and buy some YingTongYiddleAyePo lookalike and regret it afterwards....get the best you can find.

 

[DingDong]

Thanks I will make sure its a direct replacement Bosch. I have bought a K&N from ebay too and booked in for the re-mapping next week . I will let you all know how it goes.

 

[Timbo_1975]

I would just suggest you get the machine well serviced and checked over (a stage 0 tune in the trade) BEFORE you go with the tuning box / remap etc so it is running just spot on.

 

[DingDong]

Fitted new Bosch MAF and a K&N direct replacement filter and took her out for a spin, OMFG!!! i have been driving round with a non functioning MAF for the best part of two years, I have always moaned that its not a touch on the old Maverick.... Now with the addition of a K&N she goes like the clappers. Hooked up the caravan this afternoon and woosh!! I thought she was restricted as i could never redline her, but can now. Only thing i still have is a small hick-cup at about 3600 revs if anyone has any ideas.

Right my next problem to sort is upgrading the brakes to stop the bloody thing:lol:lol:lol

Really thanks guys, you saved me a fortune:bow:clap