Something wrong when I rev past 3500RPM

[Willem Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Willem]

Good morning (afternoon by you guys probably :P)

I have a 2005 Prado 4.0 V6 and experienced a sudden drop op power when I rev past 4000 RPM (stars making funny from about 3500 RPM). When the accelerator is pressed all the way down the revs will climb up quickly to 4000 RPM then the climb stops. It sounds like hitting the rev limiter with some sputtering noises with a drop in power. And if I change down a gear to force it to rev higher the power completely drops off and engine drops to 4000RPM. I found this out as I was overtaking and nearly killed myself when I put my foot down and the power just dropped completely while trying to pass a truck!
Also the gears also do not shift up when the revs are high.
When the car is in neutral the engine revs up to 5500 and sounds smooth.

I took it in to my local dealer and he put the diagnostics machine on it and found no faults. He said it may be the fuel pump or the filter, but I want to get more info before I just spend a few thousand (Rands) to fix it and it may not be the casue.

Anyone had a similar issue before?

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Sounds like fuel. If the filter hasnt been changed recently (when due or crappy fuel maybe) I would start there first......Cheers Steve

[Willem Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Willem]

I have changed the filter now, but still no change. I filled up at my normal station and have never had issues with their fuel before.

[Goldyo Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Goldyo]

I had this problem going up hill I changed spark plugs and fixed it straight away good luck

[Willem Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Willem]

O, a bit late for feedback but here it is:

In-tank filter was clogged. Should have been replaced at 180,000 km, but the previous owner did not. So at 235,000 it just didn't want to give high flow fuel to the engine. So the local mechanic removed the pump assembly, cleaned out the grey-reddish fine sand and silicone (from previous work on pump? dunno) that clogged up the thing and re-installed the pump assembly. Worked like a charm. Been about 15,000km since the incident and no problems... well not with the car at least.