300 TDi EGR valve and particulate filter

[micmitch]

Hey Folks!
My 97 Defender 300Tdi is not quite getting the gas mileage (10-12 km per litre) that I hoped it would based off of LandRover specs so I was looking into things which might help improve the performance. From the little bit of research that I've done it appears as though many people suggest removing the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve and particulate filter in the down pipe.


The link below gives some information about removing the EGR.
http://www.loske.org/html/dusty/300tdi/egr/egr.htm

While I think that removing the EGR valve and particulate filter will improve engine performance I am worried that it might affect emissions. I certainly would not want to make these modifications and then have the vehicle fail the AirCare test. Does anyone have any experience with these matters?

I am also planning to check the adjustment of the fuel pump. Any other suggestions as to things I might looking adjusting/replacing would be greatly appreciated!


Best,

Mike

[Dave_F]

I also run a 300Tdi, and although I have never calculated mpg, I get around 700kms per tank full around town.

As far as the removal of the EGR affecting Aircare, I took mine off and have passed every time.

The EGR essentially recycles the unburnt fuel. Not sure what you mean by the Particullte filter? I know that the new ones in the UK are required to have one but have not ever heard of one installed on any 300 I have seen on this side of the pond?

[red90]

A 300TDI does not have a particulate filter. You may have a catalytic converter and that is what you are talking about.

I doubt removing either will affect performance. You talk both about mileage and performance. Which are you trying to achieve? Are you getting 10 to 12 km per liter? If so, that is quite good and you will not get better in a Defender.

If you want more power, then you want to increase boost and fueling. Both are easy to do. You just need to know what you are doing to avoid engine damage.

[Greg S]

I wish I got 28 to 34 miles per gallon. (10 - 12 k / litre)
I used to get 10 litres per 100 kilometres (28 mpg) but it seems to have slipped to 11.5 l / 100 (24 1/2 mpg). I'm not sure what has changed. I've got the 2.5 na in a 90.

Where do you find Land Rover specs that claim better than what you're getting?

[red90]

I used to get 10 litres per 100 kilometres (28 mpg) but it seems to have slipped to 11.5 l / 100 (24 1/2 mpg). I'm not sure what has changed. I've got the 2.5 na in a 90.

Winter fuel will give you a solid 10% drop in mileage.

[micmitch]

Huh.. When I do the conversion I get that 10 km / L = 23.6 mpg. (See attached calculation. Let me know if you see problem with my conversion)

I went back to try and find the fuel consumption statistics that made me think that I should be able to expect 28-30 mpg, but was not able to remember where I found these. It is certainly possible that these numbers are a little on the high side. On a website called Fuelly http://www.fuelly.com/car/land%20rover/ ... %2090/1997 where owners can post fuel consumption stats it certainly looks as though 10km/L is fairly average. Perhaps my fuel efficiency is about as good as can be expected (especially is most of the driving I have done has been in hilly or mountainous).

I'm pretty sure that my vehicle does have a particulate filter since it was recently imported from Germany and the guys at Rovalution recommended removing it after they conducted a pre-purchase inspection.

Glad to hear that removing these components should not cause problems with AirCare. While it does not seem as though removing these components will do any harm, do you feel that it would be worth while?

Does anyone know of a good source for Defender parts in the Vancouver area?

Thanks for your help! Happy New Year!

Mike

[Doc Tari]

Mike,
My bet is that the figures quoted by Land Rover are based on an Imperial gallon rather than US, which I believe is equal to ~ 4.55L. Recalculating results in 28+ mpg. As for AirCare, after 2014, it's gone. Miracles do occasionally happen...

Regards,
Pete

[red90]

This is Canada. Everyone talks in imperial gallons.

[red90]

Like I said, it probably has a cat converter. You need a computer controlled engine to have a particulate filter. Smoke needs to be carefully controlled and the filter needs to regenerate. A 300TDI can't do any of that.

[Greg S]

What is a US gallon???? :(

Yes, all calculations are in Imperial (real) gallons. Other than you and my Ford truck, I have never heard or seen a reference to kilometres per litre. It is meaningless as far as I know. I use 4.54 litres per gallon for my calculations.

Did you know that the 128 ounce gallon was a tax measure? The government of the time (before the US was ever thought of) decided they weren't raising enough revenue from spirits so they decreed that spirits would be measured as a 128 ounce "gallon" instead of a 160 oz. gallon. Presto, a 20% (1/5th) increase in revenue. Also describes the measure of a "fifth" of whisky; the missing fifth = 32 ounces.
The US adopted this as their official measure (possibly also for tax benefits?). A $4 per gallon tax (levy) is a lot easier to accept than a $5 one but are equal if the first is on a US gallon and the second on an Imperial gallon.

[Doc Tari]

This is Canada. Everyone talks in imperial gallons.

If you could be bothered to look at Mike's calculation, you might notice that he used US gallons and 3.78L for the conversion. I realize the font is extremely small, but give it a try...

[red90]

This is Canada. Everyone talks in imperial gallons.

If you could be bothered to look at Mike's calculation, you might notice that he used US gallons and 3.78L for the conversion. I realize the font is extremely small, but give it a try...

Yes, I know that. What is your point?

[Doc Tari]

If you could be bothered to look at Mike's calculation, you might notice that he used US gallons and 3.78L for the conversion. I realize the font is extremely small, but give it a try...

Yes, I know that. What is your point?

What's the point of smugly stating where on the planet we happen to be or the chosen unit of measure "everyone" uses? This helps the OP exactly how? Mike stated he was hoping to see 28 mpg out of his Defender, as Land Rover and others have, but his conversion only resulted in 23. Apparently, "everyone" doesn't use your unit of measure since his conversion was done using US gallons, but recalculating using Imperial results in a mileage figure that's right in line with what others typically get. Is it clear or should I break out the box of crayons?

[red90]

I was not smugly saying anything. I was trying to help clear up that most people here will talk in imperial gallons and that is why he is confused. I was just stating a fact, and not "meaning" any smugness. That is your own personal perception.

[Dave_F]

....or we could just use this handy dandy calculator....

PG rated for Canada(Metric) the U.S.A (wee gallons) and the blokes across the pond with the old school "Imperial" measure.

http://www.euronet.nl/users/grantm/frans/fuel.html

Cheers and Happy New Year to all you Rover Nutbars..... :lol: :wink:

[red90]

On my 200TDI 90, which has similar gearing to a stock 300TDI, my best mileage is 9 l/100km and this requires driving on the highway at 100 km/h. Driving at 120 km/h and this drops to 10.5 l/100 km. 14 is probably the worst from a complete off road run. You might be able to drop below 9 at a lower speed, but that is not something I could manage to try.

Perhaps Mike can tell us something about his vehicle. Is it stock? How fast do you drive? How fast will it drive? What mileage are you getting?