Stutter under light throttle...

[Geflackt]

We've been having a light stutter under light throttle with our '00 DII. Seems to happen around 40mph as it approaches 45mph with only slight pressure on the pedal. It's been happening for quite some time and the dealer hasn't noticed it. Now it seems to be worse than normal. I've even noticed that loaner '03 and '04 Disco's seem to do it as well, but not as noticeable.

Any ideas??

Jason.

 

[Disco Mike]

Jason,
How many miles on the truck and what sort of maintance have you done on it?
Mike J.

 

[Apexdisco]

I experience the same thing at 65-70mph on my 99 with 150K miles.

I think its a valve problem.

I run 93 grade gasoline;

used SeaFoam once and will continue this as part of my preventative maintenance;

Marvel Mystery Oil in the fuel tank;

fuel injector cleaner in the fuel tank

and it still happens.

Hope it helps.

 

[Geflackt]

The Disco has about 58k miles. It had 14k(I think) when we got it a few years ago. All regular maintenance has been done on it by the dealer and has oil changes every 3k miles. The only thing I've done is brakes and rotors.

My wife usually drives it and always uses premium gas. However, I don't remember the last time we used injector cleaner.

Jason.

 

[Geflackt]

The "stutter" almost feels like an EGR valve oscillation as I've had problems with this valve on other cars. I don't have my manuals handy, but does this engine have an EGR valve??

This stutter also happens at a frequency of about 2 "bucks" a second. Not enough to shake the car, but enough that you feel it slightly. Some people may not even notice.

But I have felt this on Disco's with only 2k miles on 'em.

Jason.

 

[Disco Mike]

Jason,
You are probably ready for plugs and wires if they haven't been done. Then if still there it's time to decarbon.
Mike J.

 

[Geflackt]

Plugs and wires pretty straightforward on a DII(I'll check the forum posts)?? I haven't done that yet and doubt it's been done on the regular maintenance.

Seafoam "bug bomb" for a decarbon or a valve job?? We have an extended warranty, so I'll need to know what we can push for.

Jason.

 

[campbell]

Plugs and wires pretty straightforward on a DII(I'll check the forum posts)?? I haven't done that yet and doubt it's been done on the regular maintenance.

Seafoam "bug bomb" for a decarbon or a valve job?? We have an extended warranty, so I'll need to know what we can push for.

Jason.

The intake plennum has to come off in order to get to the ignition pack. I have heard of people changing plug wires without taking the intake off, but I don't see how that is possible. Hands of a 3 year old may help. Very poor design if you ask me.

How much more on your warranty? If I were you I would try the Seafoam route then push for a valve job.

 

[Geflackt]

Yeah, maybe I'll try the Seafoam to clear it up and as a maintenance step. I'll look into doing the plugs and wires, too. Sounds like a real nice design to have to pull the top part of the engine apart...

Still have quite a bit left on the warranty, so we'll see how it plays out over the next year or so.

Thanks for the suggestions!
Jason.

 

[Meisterbr?wn]

Jason -
The plug wires suck - not easy but they are doable with time, patience and tiny tiny hands. I did my 60k service 2 weeks ago and they took hours. Here's a link to my 60k post (60k Maintenance) with other members' comments about the plug wires.

You can do the plug wires without removing the plenum (as we ultimately did), but it is really really tough. It's a "six of one, half dozen of the other" situation if you ask me.

Another thought on the hesitation: try running a bottle of the Land Rover Fuel System Conditioner through the tank. I did that a month ago and I believe it helped performance.
Expedition Exchange Fuel System Conditioner - click on "Fuel Conditioners".

Good luck,
AB

 

[Disco Mike]

Jason,
Also when you do the plug wires go to a good set of 8mm. after market wires like Magnecor, they deliver alot more spark and last longer for the same money as factory wires.
mike J.

 

[Geflackt]

Yep - I use Magnecor whenever I can. Glad to see other people like them as well.

Guess I better plan to carpool with her around the time I decide to do the plugs and wires!

Jason.

 

[Apexdisco]

Jason,
Also when you do the plug wires go to a good set of 8mm. after market wires like Magnecor, they deliver alot more spark and last longer for the same money as factory wires.
mike J.

Can you get the Magnecor at retail shops locally? if so, where at?

 

[neil30076]

You have an extended warranty, have the dealer check it out first before you buy the plug leads or whatever. My 98 D1 does the same, i just live with it.

 

[Disco Mike]

Jason,
Don't worry about your extended warranty, they don't cover them nor do they care whos you use.
Here is where I bought my wires, they are good people.
http://www.offroadtuff.com/
Take care,
Mike J.

 

[Geflackt]

Figured they wouldn't cover plugs and wires, but it looks like it does cover head work if it's needed. Our old Disco had the valve sticking. If we had an extra car to drive temporarily, I would have done the heads myself!

I'm gonna try a little "light maintenance", then take it back to the dealer when we need other items fixed. It's certainly bearable for the time being....

Jason.