Power problems - Patrol GU 3.0ltr 2003 ST-L

Patrick,

Can't really offer anything except for a place you might be able to take your truck. I had my Patrol over at Brisbane Turbo and Tuning a couple of years ago. They have a dyno and all the wizbang electronics to diagnose. Their computers picked up that my MAF sensor was faulty and it was causing me to use to much fuel.

Good luck

There is a wealth of knowledge over at the Patrol Forum

Quite a few of the fellas there speak very highly of the crew at Northside 4x4 (Caboolture) when it comes to mechanical expertise...

Good luck with it.........

:)

G/Day Patrick

Have you tested the D-tronic Unit to see if it's faulty?. we recently had a Steinbauer Unit installed in our vehicle, and with the extra power it has now, I would notice the difference if it was playing up and just running to the manufacturers settings, just a thought!.

Cheers

Hello ...I'm going to play Devil's advocate and ask some stupid sounding but logical questions.

Is the mechanic of a number of years you mention the same mechanic that carried out the 90,000kms service?

Was the air filter element replaced?

Was the fuel filter replaced?

Was the handbrake adjusted?

Were the wheel bearings regreased?

Is there any (even slight) noticeable power loss in the lower gears?

Was the engine bay steam cleaned/power washed.

What method was used to clean the MAF sensor?

Obviously I'm suggesting, wrong (or cheap after market) air filter element for that type of vehicle, wrong fuel filter (same reasons as the air filter).

Over adjusted hand brake or wheel bearings (which would make sense seeing you've suggested a speed related issue rather than an RPM related issue).

Steam clean could suggest water in any of the electrical connections especially the Safari D-Tronic connectors which up until now has worked faultlessly.

And finally the MAF sensor... they're a very delicate piece of equipment and any harsh or abrasive cleaning techniques can be harmful. I can't actually understand why it would need cleaning in the first place seeing as though it is down stream from the air filter and well before any combustion gasses or carbon residue. Even a blast of high pressure compressed air can upset these things.

Let me know... it may help me remotely diagnose your problem. Be as accurate as possible and I MAY be able to help.

Hi Patrick,

It does not take long to disconect the Dtronic and put it back to standard.
I would do this first and see what happens.
"Unichip" dealers can test a dtronic and see what it is calibrated at,you would need to be done on a dyno though.
Dastek in South Africa is the company that manufactures these unit. If you do have a problem you can contact them direct to complain about the non service from safari, they hold the programming for this unit and it is hard to get help.
I tend to be looking at the MAF sensor and all the fuel filters as well.
good luck with it.

Bob

HI Patrick
Two things come to mind .
we were out in desert and our mates patrol lost power after they found that a relay of sort not sure what it is called but it is in the end or on the air intake near the air filter they replaced it BINGO
The other was they put an aftermarket filter in my brothers patrol and he lost power 2 more trys and backed to genuine filter BINGO
I hope this helps
cheers reggy2

Thanks all for your replies. There is lots of good advice here so I will try a few and then look a putting the Patrol over a dyno if nothing happens.

Hows it going Patrick,

You could have an air leak into the fuel line , either not a good seal on the filter assy or the hose clamps not tight enough.

Had this in my 01 Troll , showed up on the dyno with a clear plastic tube instead of the fuel delivery line to the fuel pump.

It really has to be something simple the Mechanic has done .

Good luck

Glenn.

Check your vacum lines that go from the vnc actuator back. You may have a split line or the like.

Leroy