Prado 2011 stutter on small inclines with light acceleration

[patarnoster Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close patarnoster]

HI Team,

Im hoping someone could shed some light on my issue, I am brand new to a Prado, tho not diesel cars.

I have purchased the car 3 weeks ago, it is as factory as it gets, it was a government fleet vehicle, very tidy clean engine and under body, clocks in at 160k.

The issue I am having:

When going a small incline, and I mean very small, I lightly push the accelerator and it does this stutter where the car sort of looses acceleration and does a few lunges.

It does this 2 or 3 times and then over 2 or 3 seconds, to add to that, if I have a heavy foot, the issue is non existent, its only happens when there is a small incline and I don't press the gas hard.

Any ideas?

[Daniel150 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Daniel150]

I’d replace all fuel and air filters. Then clean the maf sensor.
Sounds like a blocked fuel filter.

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

HI Team,

Im hoping someone could shed some light on my issue, I am brand new to a Prado, tho not diesel cars.

I have purchased the car 3 weeks ago, it is as factory as it gets, it was a government fleet vehicle, very tidy clean engine and under body, clocks in at 160k.

The issue I am having:

When going a small incline, and I mean very small, I lightly push the accelerator and it does this stutter where the car sort of looses acceleration and does a few lunges.

It does this 2 or 3 times and then over 2 or 3 seconds, to add to that, if I have a heavy foot, the issue is non existent, its only happens when there is a small incline and I don't press the gas hard.

Any ideas?

What speed does it happen at? There was an ECU upgrade years ago for a very similar issue

[patarnoster Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close patarnoster]

I’d replace all fuel and air filters. Then clean the maf sensor.
Sounds like a blocked fuel filter.

Okay Ill add that to my list when I got to my mechanic, thank you!

I checked the Air filter, brand new.

Fuel filter, Im not sure, but Im guessing its the one on the engine block?

Could you provide a bit more info on the MAF sensor is that something I can do myself?

[patarnoster Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close patarnoster]

What speed does it happen at? There was an ECU upgrade years ago for a very similar issue

This happens at around 20km to 50km + low revs under 1500, Its that start off into an incline.

[Daniel150 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Daniel150]

Okay Ill add that to my list when I got to my mechanic, thank you!

I checked the Air filter, brand new.

Fuel filter, Im not sure, but Im guessing its the one on the engine block?

Could you provide a bit more info on the MAF sensor is that something I can do myself?

Fuel filter is easy, the grey one in the engine bay.
MAF sensor is plugged in just after the air box and held in by two small screws. A can of cleaner is about $20 from super cheap. Must be a sensor cleaner.
Unplug, unscrew, spay clean and put back in.

[patarnoster Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close patarnoster]

Fuel filter is easy, the grey one in the engine bay.
MAF sensor is plugged in just after the air box and held in by two small screws. A can of cleaner is about $20 from super cheap. Must be a sensor cleaner.
Unplug, unscrew, spay clean and put back in.

Just did a MAF clean, took it for a 20min drive felt good, no stuttering so far, but will report back over the next few days, next thing to do is the fuel filter.