I've noticed a loss of power recently in our Townace 2litre turbo diesel (manual), it really struggled up a fairly long steep hill the other day, when two weeks ago it was fine. Then the power loss on a very short (less than two miles) trip worsened and it cut out and was unwilling to start. I thought maybe air into the fuel system was responsible as after half hour waiting for the RAC it started fine (very embaressing). It was stood up all winter by previous owner so I imagine seal etc may have perished and there's a good chance the fuel filter may need changing. But yesterday I drove it to see whether it would happen again and this time a big loss of power (very gentle driving 25 mph) and the LOW oil level light came on. The oil level is correct and oil is healthy, not too viscous. Can someone enlighten me as I am about to embark on a visit to the garage and don't want to pay the earth for lenghthy investigations

- (#9492) Chiara, 8 Jul 03 5:51

The low oil level light in my '91 2CT Townace comes on when the dipstick is about midway between Low and Full. If this is typical then it's probably coincidence in your case, and nothing to do with your main problem.
Might it be that the post-heat cycle of the glowplugs is continuing indefinitely? (Discussion under fuel system in Ace Archives)
Is the green turbo light coming on?

- (#9493) Dave Mason, 8 Jul 03 10:00

Hello Chiara
The power loss could be many things.
If its fine with a cold engine, and only suffers after its warmed up, then it’s more likely to be a dirty air filter than fuel filter. It could be that as the choke comes off when the engine is warm enough, there is insufficient air drawn through the filter.

When I got my Townace, the oil level light lit up occasionally, and was fixed by flushing the engine with Wynn’s prior to changing the oil and oil filter. So if your Townace was standing all winter, it would be advisable to have it serviced.

If that doesn’t fix it then you may have picked up some contaminated fuel. I take it that you are not running it on something exotic like old chip pan oil? An outside chance is that it could be heat related. Does your temperature gauge work? and how does the power loss relate to the temperature?

Hope that helps
dave Bright

- (#9494) dave Bright, 8 Jul 03 10:13

can any one help me with this problem my townace super extra when i travel at 70 mph on motor ways my townace uses oil there is
a smell of oil burning and i get intermitant black smoke from the exhaust the oil light comes on after
about 20 miles and it has used about a litre of oil
there does not seem to be a problem with town driving
the engine seems to be ok plenty of power no bad noises
could this be a fault with the viscose coupling

- (#9756) pete, 21 Jul 03 4:36

blocked crankcase breather/ blown turbo/ knackered bores...
Or really cheap thin oil...

- (#9757) david miller, 21 Jul 03 4:41