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towing with an hdi
Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 8:57 pm
by grasmere59
I have a 2002 hdi 110 estate and i find it labours in 5th at any speed below 55-60mph solo (not towing),this might be normal but i thought i would ask anyone out there what speed there 110 will pull happily in 5th without "juddering"? I know they are quite high geared but was just wondering as i'm not looking forward to towing everywhere in 4th or 60mph +!,any info appreciated.
Re: towing with an hdi
Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 11:39 pm
by lozz
grasmere59 wrote:I have a 2002 hdi 110 estate and i find it labours in 5th at any speed below 55-60mph solo (not towing),this might be normal but i thought i would ask anyone out there what speed there 110 will pull happily in 5th without "juddering"? I know they are quite high geared but was just wondering as i'm not looking forward to towing everywhere in 4th or 60mph +!,any info appreciated.
Hi mate my 110 hdi will happily chug away in 5th smoothly above 30mph ,
ive not tried it towing-wise yet but ive always been told the 406s are a good towing bus,
Re: towing with an hdi
Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 7:20 am
by Welly
60mph is bang on 1900rpm in 5th and max torque runs from 1750rpm to about 2800rpm so should not be labouring as such.
My 110 was always happy pootling around in 5th at 40/50 mph.
Maybe you've got a worn engine/gearbox mount?
Re: towing with an hdi
Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 7:52 am
by grasmere59
I was thinking along the lines of engine/gearbox mounts,i had a quick look at them the other day and they "looked" ok,i have noticed however when you switch the engine off it does "rock" about a bit.It is strange as it will pull like a train from a lot less revs in 3rd and even 4th it pulls from lower down better but it's just around 1600-1800 rpm in 5th it "judders" like you are in too higher gear,over 1900 rpm ish it's fine in 5th.
Re: towing with an hdi
Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 9:31 am
by Welly
If you blip the throttle at idle and the engine lurches forward by more than 15-20mm then the rear mount is shot - it's very common. Similarly if the engine 'shudders' when you shut it down it's the same fault.
Unfortunately, changing this (£12.00) mount is not easy, the drive shaft has to come out and with all the associated labour your looking at £150.00 ish. You could try stuffing in some old rubber hose into the gaps in the bush as a temporary fix.
Here's my perished engine mount bush
And the new one in place:

Re: towing with an hdi
Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2010 12:52 am
by FarmerPug
its a good pulling car, i find it spins the wheels with a trailer on it but thats just my driving, now though with the hilux all the heavy towings done by it
Re: towing with an hdi
Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 1:49 am
by totaleclipse
dunno bout the hdi, everytime i mention them sombody sais "keep what uv got"
but on my 2.1TD it don't like 5th below around 35, and it tows great. towed a rover vittesse from devon to glasgow last year, and never had an issue./
Re: towing with an hdi
Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 10:40 am
by FarmerPug
am i correct in saying that the 406 estate won towcar of the year a few times
Re: towing with an hdi
Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 7:45 pm
by towbar
My 406 110 hdi Tootles along in 5th quite happily with our caravan on the back. Get 40+ per gallon when towing up and down along the twisty roads Mid-Wales is famous for. Trick when towing uphill is change down as you approach the slope......NOT when the revs drop off. Usually get 46+ mpg when towing on motorways/most dual carriageways.
Re: towing with an hdi
Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 7:52 pm
by grasmere59
I must have something wrong then as unless i want to tow at 60mph+ i would not be able to stay in 5th,how heavy is your caravan (mptlm)?
Re: towing with an hdi
Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 2:45 am
by FarmerPug
My trailer has become very light in the last week due to some thieving bastids. But the car pulled it fine when it did exhist, although i dont actually have a licence to tow a trailer which i learnt the day the police come to inspect the scene of where it had been stole. So there you go you need a licence to tow a trailer.
Re: towing with an hdi
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 4:13 pm
by Archangel
FarmerPug wrote:My trailer has become very light in the last week due to some thieving bastids. But the car pulled it fine when it did exhist, although i dont actually have a licence to tow a trailer which i learnt the day the police come to inspect the scene of where it had been stole. So there you go you need a licence to tow a trailer.
depends when you got your license

Re: towing with an hdi
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 10:46 pm
by FarmerPug
december 2008

Re: towing with an hdi
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 10:46 pm
by FarmerPug
december 2008

, i also learnt i need a hgv licence to drive the big renault tractor with a trailer on it. Its ok with a bale lifter, roller, or link box but over 6 tonne and i need a lorry licence. I didnt really think of getting one, but now i might get one in a few years.