2005 Prado 1kz-te very little power

[DaveHoppo Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DaveHoppo]

Hi guys. New member here. I have acquired an 05 Prado diesel 5 speed with 257k on the clock. It seems to have little to no low down power. You have to rev it up over 2000 revs to take off and coming into corners it basically dies until the revs build up again and then goes okish. I have no idea where to start looking. From what I have read here so far I think it may be the timing control valve. I am going to disconnect it and see if the problem remains or gets worse. I have a friend with the same engine in his HiLux and he said we can swap the TCVs over to see if it helps. But that’s not until next week.is there any other things I can try myself to see what’s wrong? I have yet to find a workshop manual online to have a read up. I’m hoping it’s a relatively cheap fix as the Prado is in pretty good nick, has a new 2 inch Ironman lift, Ironman snorkel and very tidy interior, I got it for a good price and was hoping to just old it to see some error codes but I didn’t know they didn’t have one. I’ve ordered an android head unit and obd2 adaptor and will set up torque to give me some readings but that’s a few weeks away too. Just looking for some easy things to check while I’m at work (7 on 7 off miner). Drove the car the 150ks here and didn’t miss a beat on the highway although it’s maxing out at 120 130 Kph thanks for any info you guys can help with.

[DaveHoppo Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DaveHoppo]

[carco Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close carco]

The KZ is no power giant, depends what you’re coming from.
Have you checked fault codes with paper clip across OBD port?
TCV is an absolute prick of a job in-situ, can’t imagine anyone doing a swap for a test.
If the TCV is at fault, you’d see a code 14 stored and CEL will stay on until next restart.
But they can play up, give poor power and not throw a fault. If you give it heaps, big hill with the boot right on that should show it up if in fact it’s faulty.
You’ll know all about it then, won’t pull the skin off a custard, hardly get out of 2nd gear.
Turn off and restart and away she goes again.

Should check the easy stuff too, fuel filter, air filter, check she’s properly timed on the cam belt.

[DaveHoppo Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DaveHoppo]

The KZ is no power giant, depends what you’re coming from.
Have you checked fault codes with paper clip across OBD port?
TCV is an absolute prick of a job in-situ, can’t imagine anyone doing a swap for a test.
If the TCV is at fault, you’d see a code 14 stored and CEL will stay on until next restart.
But they can play up, give poor power and not throw a fault. If you give it heaps, big hill with the boot right on that should show it up if in fact it’s faulty.
You’ll know all about it then, won’t pull the skin off a custard, hardly get out of 2nd gear.
Turn off and restart and away she goes again.

Should check the easy stuff too, fuel filter, air filter, check she’s properly timed on the cam belt.

Thank you for your reply. my other car is an FPV F6 310
yes big hills and the prado dies off badly.
I have just done the error code check, it is giving 2 error codes. code 32 and code 35. but not 14
I have good friends haha but we thought about the swap before we saw where the TCV is located. doesnt seem to bad in the prado but the hilux looks hard
The problem is there even after a restart. it has very little power at all times
I am doing all the filters today. and will check vacuum hoses etc.

[adrian5800 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close adrian5800]

Thank you for your reply. my other car is an FPV F6 310
yes big hills and the prado dies off badly.
I have just done the error code check, it is giving 2 error codes. code 32 and code 35. but not 14
I have good friends haha but we thought about the swap before we saw where the TCV is located. doesnt seem to bad in the prado but the hilux looks hard
The problem is there even after a restart. it has very little power at all times
I am doing all the filters today. and will check vacuum hoses etc.

PM sent

[GEEEXL Member Find all posts View Profile Close GEEEXL]

maybe start with a compression check?

intake plumbing not leaking?

make sure earthing straps are in good nick

investigate the error codes

go from there

as said the KZ is seriously borderline under powered in the 120 - better suited to the 90 series and compared to a blown falcon it will feel like its got a problem

this engine design started life like 30 years ago or more - BIG caravans were only 2 ton back then - 18ft boats where BIG - and we didn't bolt on 1.8 t of essential 4X4 modifications and accessories to "use it for what its designed for" piss myself when a dickheads sprouts that at a BBQ

79 series is the only Toyota still designed for offroad IMHO - the rest are light commercials or luxury tourers

[DaveHoppo Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DaveHoppo]

maybe start with a compression check?

intake plumbing not leaking?

make sure earthing straps are in good nick

investigate the error codes

go from there

as said the KZ is seriously borderline under powered in the 120 - better suited to the 90 series and compared to a blown falcon it will feel like its got a problem

this engine design started life like 30 years ago or more - BIG caravans were only 2 ton back then - 18ft boats where BIG - and we didn't bolt on 1.8 t of essential 4X4 modifications and accessories to "use it for what its designed for" piss myself when a dickheads sprouts that at a BBQ

79 series is the only Toyota still designed for offroad IMHO - the rest are light commercials or luxury tourers

Thanks, the error codes have been cleared. i actually caused both of them. i unplugged the module on the side of the injector pump thinking it was the TCV connector and i unplugged one of the inlet manifold too so both codes are cleared now. it definitely has a problem. the throttle response is almost non existant until it gets over about 2200 rpm. you cannot take off on level ground below this rpm. cannot hear any air leaks. the thing idles perfectly just revs up very slowly

[t303 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close t303]

Carboned up intake manifold? Have you popped off the intercooler for a peek?

[carco Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close carco]

Dave the TCV is under the pump, just checking you were looking at the right valve.
Engine mount is in the way and you need an assortment of Allen keys for the two tiny set screws as there’s no room to work.
Someone with tiny hands is required.

[carco Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close carco]

Have a read of SamSta’s post in the 90 diesel section.
He had a win with his spill control valve, a valve I haven’t had any experience with.
Apparently his was a bit sticky, caused starting issues as this valve also turns your engine on/off by shutting off the fuel.
The SCV also meters your fuel so if it’s got a sticky spot, it would cause sluggishness in that region.
The good news is the SCV is right in top, easy to access.

[DaveHoppo Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DaveHoppo]

Dave the TCV is under the pump, just checking you were looking at the right valve.
Engine mount is in the way and you need an assortment of Allen keys for the two tiny set screws as there’s no room to work.
Someone with tiny hands is required.

yes we have worked that out and decided to not swap haha. I have checked the throttle body it seems clean.
Im looking at the scv today.
Its booked in tomorrow (monday) at a mechanics, hes going to go thru a few things for an hour or 2 and hopefully he finds the issue.I was hoping to find something before thisd but it doesnt look likely. The thing idles perfectly and runs good above 2000 revs but is just a slug to take off and go up hills etc.
It doesnt start well when cold though. It has brand new glow plugs and a brand new starter motor. so the hard starting is fuel related as well. Ill get back later with news on the SCV.

[DaveHoppo Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DaveHoppo]

Ok. Just fitted new fuel filter and new air filter. Has made no difference to it at all. Newbie question. Which one is the scv? Google images doesn’t show anything like mine

[carco Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close carco]

This isn’t your pump but the scv is in the same position, closest to the injector pipes.

[adrian5800 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close adrian5800]

Ok. Just fitted new fuel filter and new air filter. Has made no difference to it at all. Newbie question. Which one is the scv? Google images doesn’t show anything like mine

I wouldn't d!ck around with the spill control valve if I were you. Your symptoms with this engine point more to something simple like an air leak on the fuel supply to the pump. Easy to check, just get some clear pvc tube from the hardware and replace the fuel line from the filter head to the injector pump. The primer on the filter is common to fail with age. You should see minimal bubbles when bled and the engine is running.

There's also a couple of screen/filters in the injector pump that can clog up but check the air leak situation first

[carco Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close carco]

Odd for it to come good at higher rpm though Adrian.
Would think if she was drawing air it would worsen as the demand increased.
As I mentioned, I haven’t removed the scv but the poster in the 90 section did and had a win.
Well worth a read.