1HZ high altitude smoking and sputtering

[Esben Bøll]

I am having some issues at high altitude. My truck is a 1995 HZJ75 1hz non turbo engine (55.000km on the engine/truck, so barely broken in)
I had expected a loss of power but over 2500 meters (8000 feet ) it does start to sputter and at 3000 meters (9800 feet) blue/gray smoke starts.
at 3400 meters (11.000 feet )(the highest we have been) I could barely touch the throttle without it sputtering, cutting out and extreme smoking.
I am sure it is the lack of oxygen and bad combustion. The smoke smelled just like when our diesel heater starts/stops.

When the truck was idleling there was no problems

Please see video from somewhere around 3200 meters.

All was good again when I got back down to under 2500 meters. Also diesel addetive seemed to help a little.
The air filter is brand new.

Any ideas?
Is the high altitude compensator broken? will a aftermarket turbo help?

Sincerly Esben
www.instagram.com/LessIsMoreMemories

 

[Bmonck]

Hi
I have been in Wyoming and Colorado for past few months also doing a number of passes above 10,000 feet and mostly operating day to day above 8,000. I have a 100,000 km 1HZ troopy, no turbo. The engine hated altitude. Coughing spluttering and producing blue smoke. Big loss of power. It was a bit better when engine was warm. It seemed to me other (mostly petrol) engines weren’t as badly affected. Not too many diesels in the usa.

It feels very worrying at the time but when back at 5,000 feet and now nearer sea level it is all fine again. I was surprised how badly the engine was affected.
I think there is 30% less O2 at 10k and 20% less at 5k. Not sure a turbo would help.
If I had been there longer I would have explored adjustments to the altitude compensator but did not get to it.

 

[Volly]

Hi Esben, sorry to be so late - I've been a bit busy lately.

Yes: an after market turbo in combination with the high altitute compensator does help, per my experience and that of a lot of people out there.
(question: does your engine actually possess a HAC?)

The point being: you can feed the engine more fuel (revving above idle), but it will keep lacking air big time at higher altitudes. As a matter of fact, it already does at sea level. Introducing the turbo.
Second point: don't get tempted to power tune the engine by feeding it _extra_ fuel (above standard) and then giving it extra air (upping the turbo pressure) and then feeding it extra fuel... etc. You'll be sure to blow the pistons (they are thin headed and under(oil)cooled, not being expected to operate at high temperatures and extra high pressures).

What can be done then?
When in Europe I'd contact All American (Netherlands). They've been producing their own turbo kit that gives you the right combo of low pressure turbo (0,5 bar) and HAC. They've been doing this for ages for UN vehicles, or so they reported (Gibraltar). AA has a great reputation, ask around.
It's a simple kit, no water cooling or intercooler or whatever. Just the turbo, the HAC and lubrication. They can mount it themselves if you want.
I've opted for this last proposition. Not cheap, mind you: I was set back about €4.000. Yet, since then the 1HZ has become responsive, torquish at lower revs, performing well on the highway (I don't exceed 110 km/h for long: no need to invite trouble), no black-and-blue plumes, no problems passing environment test, and nice consistent behaviour in mountainous conditions. In short: it makes a huge difference (also in the high mountains) without endangering your engine.

My experience with it: Moroccan Sahara, High Atlas and other mountain ridges inside Morocco and Spain. Not over 2500m, but I still think I got a very good impression of the turboed 1HZ's performance. Used it at exterior temperatures of up to 50 Celsius at about 1200m - no signs of overheating or degrading performance.

Downside: it'll cost you, and it won't change the overall unmodern character of the engine.
To me that is perfectly fine - as for you: you decide.

Let me know how you decide, and then what your experiences are!

PS Look up Berrima Diesel on Youtube