LOW power output from 300tdi auto reversing on TWO cars!

[bristolbulldog]

car 1. 1994 rrc, softdash, 300tdi viscous transfer box. Recent auto fluid change and filter change.
car 2. 1994 discoery, 300tdi auto, different transfer box (you can select diff lock).

the rrc alwaysseemed sluggish in reverse, but i put it down to the 35/12.5 wheels etc etc, doing a fluid changed changed nothing, and it goes up through the gears and selects gears perfectly.

Just picked the wife up a 300tdi disco, and its also sluggish in reverse.

I tried to reverse hers out of a slightly muddy parking space, where the wheels had sunk a little. Enough to make getting my focus out rather interesting, but doable.

Selected reverse, and even after putting my foot to floor it wasn't keen on reversing, to the point i asked the wife if i had a wheel spinning anywhere. Revs went up to jsut over 2k, with my foot to the floor, as if it was in some kind of slow mode. My classic is almost exactly the same.

I've googled the issue, and found very very little, so i'm assuming this isn't such a common issue. Fluid in the classic was what i would expect for an auto, no nasty smells etc etc.

Anyone have any idea on this? i'm not convinced its down the auto transmission, it almost seems as though selecting reverse slackens off the accelerator, so you cannot get your foot down enough!

got me boggled this one!

[Bowie]

Give Ashcroft a ring, they will be able to tell you what's up from your description:

http://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/index.php

[bristolbulldog]

cheers matey

looks like the only option!

[bristolbulldog]

FYI the answer on this from ashcrofts makes sense.

they think that when cold the 300tdi lacks the power to get the revs high enough to get on boost. I'm assuming the torque converter and gearing for reverse is totally different to 1st gear as such.

This makes sense, as i tried my bobtail tonight in reverse after driving home, and whislt not quick in reverse, its jsut about pokey enough.

suggested fixes were a fuel pump mod (i thought you could only chip the auto 300tdi's? as they are ebd edc or whatever?), and a bigger intercooler (in the works)...

[paintman]

Interesting answer. Wonder if anyone who has altered the fuelling has any recommendations/thoughts?

I've just copied this thread to the Discovery forum to see if anyone else has experienced this.

[bristolbulldog]

i'm not 100% convinced this is the right answer, unless from the factory the tdi auto's are pretty much like this. it makes sense, but the lack of questions like this on the internet don't add up.

i'll be putting in a hughe intercooler into the bobtail hopefully around xmas to see what a difference that makes. For the mean time, i won't be any good for pulling anyone out in reverse for sure!