Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > 4 wheels > Equipping the Overland Vehicle
High altitude and diesel engine High altitude and diesel engine
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Equipping the Overland Vehicle Vehicle accessories - Making your home away from home comfortable, safe and reliable.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Overlanders Handbook - everything you need to know, available NOW!

Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 20 Nov 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Sweden
Posts: 24
High altitude and diesel engine
In the Atlas and Hoggar I've experienced problems with black smoke and and less power when I got over 2500m altitude. Now I'm planning a trip to Pamir so I'm a little worried. The fuel-air mix are well set for moderate altitudes, should I change it when I get there? I'm in a TLC HJ-60 (Diesel 6).

Does anyone know about the problem?
Thanks for advices!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 20 Nov 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Horncastle,Lincolnshire,UK
Posts: 226
I wouldn't bother. This happens with all diesel engines at increasing altitudes. The problem is that you will never get the mixture exactly right. Injection pumps are impossible to set up correctly without specialist equipment and furthermore you may find you will run lean when you get down to "normal" altitudes. This can be potentially harmful for a diesel and is far worse than running rich.

Q
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 21 Nov 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: France
Posts: 353
You could tighten down the spring on the turbo's dump gate.
There's a sort of bar between the exhaust side and the inlet side of the turbo, it regulates the turbo pressure by bypassing the exhaust turbine. Boosting turbo pressure at sea level will push hotter, but more air into the cylinder. At altitude, because the air is thinner, you'll simply bring the engine back to nominal.

Paint a mark where the nut is at the moment, so that you can reset it easily for the descent.
cheers
Luke
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 Nov 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: France and UK
Posts: 156
Hi Tripitaka
I took my Land Rover Discovery TDi300 across Tibet last year. Me and my mates were driving at over 15,000ft for ten days, and peaked out at an amazing 17,800ft.
The cars all made nasty smoke, and some were difficult to start from standstill under load, (ie up an embankment).
But once running I was barely aware of the reduced power. Just the other bloke’s smoke…
Use of gears obviously helped, keep the engine revs up above 2,000rpm and you should have no problem.
All best

------------------
Kitmax - Traveller
www.kitmax.com
__________________
Kitmax
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 27 Nov 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 1,232
There's no turbo on an H60

Andy

TLC H60
landy 101 ambie
1968 morris minor traveller
www.plymouth-dakar.com
Quote:
Originally posted by Luke:
You could tighten down the spring on the turbo's dump gate.
There's a sort of bar between the exhaust side and the inlet side of the turbo, it regulates the turbo pressure by bypassing the exhaust turbine. Boosting turbo pressure at sea level will push hotter, but more air into the cylinder. At altitude, because the air is thinner, you'll simply bring the engine back to nominal.

Paint a mark where the nut is at the moment, so that you can reset it easily for the descent.
cheers
Luke
__________________
1990 Landcruiser H60. Full rebuild completed 2014
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 28 Nov 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2003
Location: UK/ZW
Posts: 725
Howzit

We vcurrently live at 1800m in Nairobi - bit of black smoke taking off and at low revs, but we were in the Aberdares last month (3100m) and although there was alot of black smoke there was only a loss in acceleration rather than overall power.
__________________
Enzo
Last edited by Bundubasher; 17 Sep 2013 at 15:25.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 28 Nov 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2003
Location: UK/ZW
Posts: 725
Howzit

We vcurrently live at 1800m in Nairobi - bit of black smoke taking off and at low revs, but we were in the Aberdares last month (3100m) and although there was alot of black smoke there was only a loss in acceleration rather than overall power.
__________________
Enzo
Last edited by Bundubasher; 17 Sep 2013 at 15:25.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 28 Nov 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: France
Posts: 353
[QUOTE]Originally posted by moggy 1968:
[B]There's no turbo on an H60

Oh Poo! :-(

You could always try installing a turbo; that would get more air into the cylinders.

In this day and age I find it difficult to imagine a diesel engine without a turbo, except on a dumper.

Thank you for the enlightenment
Happy trails
Luke
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 5 Dec 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 1,232
[quote]Originally posted by Luke:
[B]
Quote:
Originally posted by moggy 1968:
There's no turbo on an H60
Ah, well thats why a landcruiser will do 500,000 miles on a single oil change whilst the diesel turbo landy of the same vintage struggles to make it to the shops and back without a full engine rebuild (oh ok, maybe some poetic licence in there.

Andy 'slow but certain'

TLC H60
landy 101 ambie
1968 morris minor traveller
Oh Poo! :-(

You could always try installing a turbo; that would get more air into the cylinders.

In this day and age I find it difficult to imagine a diesel engine without a turbo, except on a dumper.

Thank you for the enlightenment
Happy trails
Luke
__________________
1990 Landcruiser H60. Full rebuild completed 2014
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 5 Dec 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: France
Posts: 353
I see we have a similar opinion of Solihull's Leyland years production.
(he says, carefully trying specifying in an attempt to avoid the flamings)

Good job someone invented synthetic oil, now they'll do two school runs
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 8 Dec 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 1,232
LOL

Quote:
Originally posted by Luke:
I see we have a similar opinion of Solihull's Leyland years production.
(he says, carefully trying specifying in an attempt to avoid the flamings)

Good job someone invented synthetic oil, now they'll do two school runs
__________________
1990 Landcruiser H60. Full rebuild completed 2014
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 4 Jan 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Posts: 1
Some HJ60s have what is called an altitude compensator- its a round thing located on the rear of the pump. By turning that one way or another it is supposed to make a difference in how much fuel is given to the engine. Check out Ih8mud.com they have tons of info about LCs

John
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 6 Jan 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 1,232
Nice one, thanks for the tip

Andy
__________________
1990 Landcruiser H60. Full rebuild completed 2014
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 6 Jan 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: London
Posts: 144
I have an 80 series Land Cruiser with the altitude compensator and it seemed to work well on a trip through N Africa last year, sept-nov. No really noticeable loss of power - No increase in black smoke which is usually a product of poor diesel quality, too much sulphur etc. Unusual addition to the car as it is a '93 car, Japanese import, with separate switch for centre diff lock, another for front and rear...excellent vehicle



------------------
pigapitcha
__________________
pigapitcha

http://www.jljphotography.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 19 May 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 23
Exclamation No HAC on landcrusier = Engine damage at altitude?
We are in Delhi and about to drive around Kashmir where passes reach 5475m high. Some last minute research has found my UK 1989 HJ60 Landcruiser does not have a high altitude compensator (HAC) on the 2H injection pump governer.

People have mentioned black smoke blowing at altitude, but not high exhaust gas temperatures (EGT) which i read can apparently damage and even melt the aluminium pistons!

I really want to drive the Manali-Leh highway, but really really don't want to wreck the engine. We are carrying a lot of weight and it is a long route. I dont have a pyrometer to measure EGT either.

- Is it enough to install a new airfilter, gear down and back off the accelerator?
- Should i try to manually adjust the fuel? but based on what, altitude / smoke?

Any information or experiences would be much appreciated,

Cheers, Andrew

P.S. for current Manali>Leh highway status:
Manali-Leh road « high road to..
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 21:22.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top