Tata Safari Storme: Uneven acceleration

redracham · 19th February 2018, 16:31

The vehicle (Safari Storme LX 4x2 2014 model) accelerates and decelerates, and continues to do so, on it own even when the pedal is held steady. This happens at 3rd or 4th gear at a speed above 40 or 50 kmph, usually on open stretches.

- TASS says it could be an issue with either the fuel injectors and/or fuel pump.
- They have not been able to pin point which one is causing the issue, hence have asked me to continue driving till it gets worse
- According to them Servicing both could cost me upwards of 60k (30k each approx.)
- The vehicle has completed around 86k+ kms, always serviced by TASS

Has anyone faced a similar issue? Any suggestions?

procrj · 19th February 2018, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by redracham

on it own even when the pedal is held steady. This happens at 3rd or 4th gear at a speed above 40 or 50 kmph, usually on open stretches.

Some TUV owners have faced a similar problem - unusual acceleration when fuel in tank is low. Problem was the Bosch accelerator unit, which was then replaced and things were back to normal. Not sure if Safari uses same/similar unit which could be the culprit. Attaching pic that was shared on WA

Tata Safari Storme: Uneven acceleration-photo-rj.jpg

hothatchaway · 19th February 2018, 17:37

The throttle position sensor (TPS) could also be the culprit here. Hope they did an OBD scan.

comfortablynumb · 19th February 2018, 17:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by redracham

Any suggestions?

Hi, when was the last time you changed the fuel filter? If it has been quite a while, either mileage wise or time wise, please change that 1st before finalizing the more expensive options of injectors/fuel pump replacement.

Cheers,
Vikram

redracham · 20th February 2018, 08:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by procrj

Some TUV owners have faced a similar problem - unusual acceleration when fuel in tank is low. Problem was the Bosch accelerator unit, which was then replaced and things were back to normal. Not sure if Safari uses same/similar unit which could be the culprit. Attaching pic that was shared on WA

I will have to check with TASS. But the problem occurs irrespective of amount of fuel in the tank.

Quote:

Originally Posted by comfortablynumb

Hi, when was the last time you changed the fuel filter? If it has been quite a while, either mileage wise or time wise, please change that 1st before finalizing the more expensive options of injectors/fuel pump replacement.

Cheers,
Vikram

They checked the fuel filter and have identified that it is not the issue. I will still check on when it was last changed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hothatchaway

The throttle position sensor (TPS) could also be the culprit here. Hope they did an OBD scan.

Yes, they have done the scan and have said the issue could in any one or both of those 2 areas (fuel pump, fuel injectors).

KMT · 20th February 2018, 08:48

I recently had a stalling issue on my Thar which was first thought to be a rail pressure sensor issue.,
However just cleaning the fuel tank mesh filter solved it. Like comfortably numb said check fuel and air filters first. Then narrow down to the more expy stuff.

Jaggu · 20th February 2018, 10:07

My suggestion get the fuel circuit completely checked for any blocks including filter. Even try using some cleaning additives to see if things can be cleared up. Rule out any other issues from sensors like throttle sensor, cam sensor that give inputs for engine speed. Finally do a check of pump and injectors, there are ways to check if the volume of fuel being pumped is within parameters, ask workshop to do those checks and then determine where exactly the problem is.

parsh · 20th February 2018, 14:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by redracham

The vehicle (Safari Storme LX 4x2 2014 model) accelerates and decelerates, and continues to do so, on it own even when the pedal is held steady. This happens at 3rd or 4th gear at a speed above 40 or 50 kmph, usually on open stretches.

- TASS says it could be an issue with either the fuel injectors and/or fuel pump.
- They have not been able to pin point which one is causing the issue, hence have asked me to continue driving till it gets worse
- According to them Servicing both could cost me upwards of 60k (30k each approx.)
- The vehicle has completed around 86k+ kms, always serviced by TASS

Has anyone faced a similar issue? Any suggestions?

1. Is the behaviour happening at these speeds only? Does it give any hint of power loss when picking up, accelerating from standstill/low speeds, while engine stopping suddenly while standing at signal etc?

2. Fuel Pump - It could be an issue. It will cost a bomb to replace if it is failing. Leave it out right now until it fails. However, eliminate other factors first. Also if needed to replace, there could be trade-off available with a new pump in place of failed one from TASS, check that too.

3. Injectors - These could be main culprits due to year on year carbon deposits with the usage. Try using something like ADON by IOC, about 40ml per 100 ltr. I generally use 4 pouches (10ml each) for tankful. On empty tank, put the complete pouches first and then fill up the tank, makes it mix well and more useful for injector cleaning. Observe behaviour with intermittent ripping but mostly medium speeds to let the adon take its effect. May need more than one tankful to effectively clean and eliminate the issue if it is due to this.

4. Fuel Filter - Could be another major culprit. But you are saying they have ruled it out. If possible, check out the deterioration yourself. Attaching pics of dirty and clean one for reference. It is fairly easy to do, atleast in my case and I did it myself.

Tata Safari Storme: Uneven acceleration-wp_20170824_007.jpg

Tata Safari Storme: Uneven acceleration-wp_20170824_023.jpg

5. Air Filter - try checking health of this and if needed cleaning again. But I am guessing that is already ruled out.

To get over the issue, you may need action on both 3 and 4.
If 3 and 4 do not work, you may be in for 2.

2000rpm · 20th February 2018, 14:25

Definitely sounds like a fueling issue, also do a quick check for the air flow and exhaust. I have experienced this on some vehicles during cold starts. Keep us updated!

redracham · 14th May 2018, 08:50

TASS suggested that they would conduct the investigation in multiple stages. They would take up one probable culprit at a time.

1. They started with re-mapping or re-writing the codes that control fuel supply to the injectors (or that is what I understood from the explanation given to me). This was about a month ago. It worked for a day. Then it was back to the same issue.

2. The next iteration was cleaning up the fuel pump and fuel tank. They have spoken to the OEM of the fuel pump and injectors. Also a TATA engineer was asked to look into the issue on site. They have now cleaned, only cleaned, the fuel tank and fuel pump, and found a significant amount of "kachra" in both. Post which I have been given back the vehicle and asked to drive for a week, i.e., under observation. I am supposed to report back after 6-7 days. I have driven only 30-40 kms after that and have not felt the issue yet. But I am skeptical.

The next stage seems to be fuel pump "servicing", which according to them is expensive, about 30k. If that does not work, they would work on the injectors. They may have to replace it. Each injector costs around 15k.

So far they have not charged me a single rupee!

Will keep updating.

19th February 2018, 16:31	#1
redracham BHPian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Kolkata Posts: 25 Thanked: 22 Times	Tata Safari Storme: Uneven acceleration The vehicle (Safari Storme LX 4x2 2014 model) accelerates and decelerates, and continues to do so, on it own even when the pedal is held steady. This happens at 3rd or 4th gear at a speed above 40 or 50 kmph, usually on open stretches. - TASS says it could be an issue with either the fuel injectors and/or fuel pump. - They have not been able to pin point which one is causing the issue, hence have asked me to continue driving till it gets worse - According to them Servicing both could cost me upwards of 60k (30k each approx.) - The vehicle has completed around 86k+ kms, always serviced by TASS Has anyone faced a similar issue? Any suggestions?
	() Thanks

19th February 2018, 17:37	#3
hothatchaway BHPian Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Kolkata Posts: 781 Thanked: 2,114 Times	re: Tata Safari Storme: Uneven acceleration The throttle position sensor (TPS) could also be the culprit here. Hope they did an OBD scan.
	(2) Thanks

20th February 2018, 08:48	#6
KMT BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Coorg Posts: 455 Thanked: 882 Times	re: Tata Safari Storme: Uneven acceleration I recently had a stalling issue on my Thar which was first thought to be a rail pressure sensor issue., However just cleaning the fuel tank mesh filter solved it. Like comfortably numb said check fuel and air filters first. Then narrow down to the more expy stuff.
	(2) Thanks

20th February 2018, 10:07	#7
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,383 Thanked: 17,294 Times	Re: Tata Safari Storme: Uneven acceleration My suggestion get the fuel circuit completely checked for any blocks including filter. Even try using some cleaning additives to see if things can be cleared up. Rule out any other issues from sensors like throttle sensor, cam sensor that give inputs for engine speed. Finally do a check of pump and injectors, there are ways to check if the volume of fuel being pumped is within parameters, ask workshop to do those checks and then determine where exactly the problem is.
	(2) Thanks

20th February 2018, 14:25	#9
2000rpm Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2013 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,576 Thanked: 6,447 Times	Re: Tata Safari Storme: Uneven acceleration Definitely sounds like a fueling issue, also do a quick check for the air flow and exhaust. I have experienced this on some vehicles during cold starts. Keep us updated!
	(2) Thanks

14th May 2018, 08:50	#10
redracham BHPian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Kolkata Posts: 25 Thanked: 22 Times	Re: Tata Safari Storme: Uneven acceleration TASS suggested that they would conduct the investigation in multiple stages. They would take up one probable culprit at a time. 1. They started with re-mapping or re-writing the codes that control fuel supply to the injectors (or that is what I understood from the explanation given to me). This was about a month ago. It worked for a day. Then it was back to the same issue. 2. The next iteration was cleaning up the fuel pump and fuel tank. They have spoken to the OEM of the fuel pump and injectors. Also a TATA engineer was asked to look into the issue on site. They have now cleaned, only cleaned, the fuel tank and fuel pump, and found a significant amount of "kachra" in both. Post which I have been given back the vehicle and asked to drive for a week, i.e., under observation. I am supposed to report back after 6-7 days. I have driven only 30-40 kms after that and have not felt the issue yet. But I am skeptical. The next stage seems to be fuel pump "servicing", which according to them is expensive, about 30k. If that does not work, they would work on the injectors. They may have to replace it. Each injector costs around 15k. So far they have not charged me a single rupee! Will keep updating.
	(2) Thanks