diff --git a/fs/xfs/linux-2.6/xfs_buf.c b/fs/xfs/linux-2.6/xfs_buf.c
index 44e20e5..b306265 100644
--- a/fs/xfs/linux-2.6/xfs_buf.c
+++ b/fs/xfs/linux-2.6/xfs_buf.c
@@ -1778,6 +1778,35 @@
 	trace_xfs_buf_delwri_dequeue(bp, _RET_IP_);
 }
 
+/*
+ * If a delwri buffer needs to be pushed before it has aged out, then promote
+ * it to the head of the delwri queue so that it will be flushed on the next
+ * xfsbufd run. We do this by resetting the queuetime of the buffer to be older
+ * than the age currently needed to flush the buffer. Hence the next time the
+ * xfsbufd sees it is guaranteed to be considered old enough to flush.
+ */
+void
+xfs_buf_delwri_promote(
+	struct xfs_buf	*bp)
+{
+	struct xfs_buftarg *btp = bp->b_target;
+	long		age = xfs_buf_age_centisecs * msecs_to_jiffies(10) + 1;
+
+	ASSERT(bp->b_flags & XBF_DELWRI);
+	ASSERT(bp->b_flags & _XBF_DELWRI_Q);
+
+	/*
+	 * Check the buffer age before locking the delayed write queue as we
+	 * don't need to promote buffers that are already past the flush age.
+	 */
+	if (bp->b_queuetime < jiffies - age)
+		return;
+	bp->b_queuetime = jiffies - age;
+	spin_lock(&btp->bt_delwrite_lock);
+	list_move(&bp->b_list, &btp->bt_delwrite_queue);
+	spin_unlock(&btp->bt_delwrite_lock);
+}
+
 STATIC void
 xfs_buf_runall_queues(
 	struct workqueue_struct	*queue)
diff --git a/fs/xfs/linux-2.6/xfs_buf.h b/fs/xfs/linux-2.6/xfs_buf.h
index ea8c198..be45e8c 100644
--- a/fs/xfs/linux-2.6/xfs_buf.h
+++ b/fs/xfs/linux-2.6/xfs_buf.h
@@ -266,6 +266,7 @@
 
 /* Delayed Write Buffer Routines */
 extern void xfs_buf_delwri_dequeue(xfs_buf_t *);
+extern void xfs_buf_delwri_promote(xfs_buf_t *);
 
 /* Buffer Daemon Setup Routines */
 extern int xfs_buf_init(void);
@@ -395,6 +396,7 @@
 extern void xfs_wait_buftarg(xfs_buftarg_t *);
 extern int xfs_setsize_buftarg(xfs_buftarg_t *, unsigned int, unsigned int);
 extern int xfs_flush_buftarg(xfs_buftarg_t *, int);
+
 #ifdef CONFIG_KDB_MODULES
 extern struct list_head *xfs_get_buftarg_list(void);
 #endif
diff --git a/fs/xfs/linux-2.6/xfs_trace.h b/fs/xfs/linux-2.6/xfs_trace.h
index 1bb09e7..a4574dc 100644
--- a/fs/xfs/linux-2.6/xfs_trace.h
+++ b/fs/xfs/linux-2.6/xfs_trace.h
@@ -483,6 +483,7 @@
 DEFINE_BUF_ITEM_EVENT(xfs_buf_item_unlock_stale);
 DEFINE_BUF_ITEM_EVENT(xfs_buf_item_committed);
 DEFINE_BUF_ITEM_EVENT(xfs_buf_item_push);
+DEFINE_BUF_ITEM_EVENT(xfs_buf_item_pushbuf);
 DEFINE_BUF_ITEM_EVENT(xfs_trans_get_buf);
 DEFINE_BUF_ITEM_EVENT(xfs_trans_get_buf_recur);
 DEFINE_BUF_ITEM_EVENT(xfs_trans_getsb);
diff --git a/fs/xfs/quota/xfs_dquot_item.c b/fs/xfs/quota/xfs_dquot_item.c
index 1b56437..dda0fb0 100644
--- a/fs/xfs/quota/xfs_dquot_item.c
+++ b/fs/xfs/quota/xfs_dquot_item.c
@@ -212,66 +212,31 @@
 	xfs_dquot_t	*dqp;
 	xfs_mount_t	*mp;
 	xfs_buf_t	*bp;
-	uint		dopush;
 
 	dqp = qip->qli_dquot;
 	ASSERT(XFS_DQ_IS_LOCKED(dqp));
 
 	/*
-	 * The qli_pushbuf_flag keeps others from
-	 * trying to duplicate our effort.
-	 */
-	ASSERT(qip->qli_pushbuf_flag != 0);
-	ASSERT(qip->qli_push_owner == current_pid());
-
-	/*
 	 * If flushlock isn't locked anymore, chances are that the
 	 * inode flush completed and the inode was taken off the AIL.
 	 * So, just get out.
 	 */
 	if (completion_done(&dqp->q_flush)  ||
 	    ((qip->qli_item.li_flags & XFS_LI_IN_AIL) == 0)) {
-		qip->qli_pushbuf_flag = 0;
 		xfs_dqunlock(dqp);
 		return;
 	}
 	mp = dqp->q_mount;
 	bp = xfs_incore(mp->m_ddev_targp, qip->qli_format.qlf_blkno,
 		    XFS_QI_DQCHUNKLEN(mp), XBF_TRYLOCK);
-	if (bp != NULL) {
-		if (XFS_BUF_ISDELAYWRITE(bp)) {
-			dopush = ((qip->qli_item.li_flags & XFS_LI_IN_AIL) &&
-				  !completion_done(&dqp->q_flush));
-			qip->qli_pushbuf_flag = 0;
-			xfs_dqunlock(dqp);
-
-			if (XFS_BUF_ISPINNED(bp))
-				xfs_log_force(mp, 0);
-
-			if (dopush) {
-				int	error;
-#ifdef XFSRACEDEBUG
-				delay_for_intr();
-				delay(300);
-#endif
-				error = xfs_bawrite(mp, bp);
-				if (error)
-					xfs_fs_cmn_err(CE_WARN, mp,
-	"xfs_qm_dquot_logitem_pushbuf: pushbuf error %d on qip %p, bp %p",
-							error, qip, bp);
-			} else {
-				xfs_buf_relse(bp);
-			}
-		} else {
-			qip->qli_pushbuf_flag = 0;
-			xfs_dqunlock(dqp);
-			xfs_buf_relse(bp);
-		}
-		return;
-	}
-
-	qip->qli_pushbuf_flag = 0;
 	xfs_dqunlock(dqp);
+	if (!bp)
+		return;
+	if (XFS_BUF_ISDELAYWRITE(bp))
+		xfs_buf_delwri_promote(bp);
+	xfs_buf_relse(bp);
+	return;
+
 }
 
 /*
@@ -289,50 +254,24 @@
 	xfs_dq_logitem_t	*qip)
 {
 	xfs_dquot_t		*dqp;
-	uint			retval;
 
 	dqp = qip->qli_dquot;
 	if (atomic_read(&dqp->q_pincount) > 0)
-		return (XFS_ITEM_PINNED);
+		return XFS_ITEM_PINNED;
 
 	if (! xfs_qm_dqlock_nowait(dqp))
-		return (XFS_ITEM_LOCKED);
+		return XFS_ITEM_LOCKED;
 
-	retval = XFS_ITEM_SUCCESS;
 	if (!xfs_dqflock_nowait(dqp)) {
 		/*
-		 * The dquot is already being flushed.	It may have been
-		 * flushed delayed write, however, and we don't want to
-		 * get stuck waiting for that to complete.  So, we want to check
-		 * to see if we can lock the dquot's buffer without sleeping.
-		 * If we can and it is marked for delayed write, then we
-		 * hold it and send it out from the push routine.  We don't
-		 * want to do that now since we might sleep in the device
-		 * strategy routine.  We also don't want to grab the buffer lock
-		 * here because we'd like not to call into the buffer cache
-		 * while holding the AIL lock.
-		 * Make sure to only return PUSHBUF if we set pushbuf_flag
-		 * ourselves.  If someone else is doing it then we don't
-		 * want to go to the push routine and duplicate their efforts.
+		 * dquot has already been flushed to the backing buffer,
+		 * leave it locked, pushbuf routine will unlock it.
 		 */
-		if (qip->qli_pushbuf_flag == 0) {
-			qip->qli_pushbuf_flag = 1;
-			ASSERT(qip->qli_format.qlf_blkno == dqp->q_blkno);
-#ifdef DEBUG
-			qip->qli_push_owner = current_pid();
-#endif
-			/*
-			 * The dquot is left locked.
-			 */
-			retval = XFS_ITEM_PUSHBUF;
-		} else {
-			retval = XFS_ITEM_FLUSHING;
-			xfs_dqunlock_nonotify(dqp);
-		}
+		return XFS_ITEM_PUSHBUF;
 	}
 
 	ASSERT(qip->qli_item.li_flags & XFS_LI_IN_AIL);
-	return (retval);
+	return XFS_ITEM_SUCCESS;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/fs/xfs/quota/xfs_dquot_item.h b/fs/xfs/quota/xfs_dquot_item.h
index 5a63253..5acae2a 100644
--- a/fs/xfs/quota/xfs_dquot_item.h
+++ b/fs/xfs/quota/xfs_dquot_item.h
@@ -27,10 +27,6 @@
 	xfs_log_item_t		 qli_item;	   /* common portion */
 	struct xfs_dquot	*qli_dquot;	   /* dquot ptr */
 	xfs_lsn_t		 qli_flush_lsn;	   /* lsn at last flush */
-	unsigned short		 qli_pushbuf_flag; /* 1 bit used in push_ail */
-#ifdef DEBUG
-	uint64_t		 qli_push_owner;
-#endif
 	xfs_dq_logformat_t	 qli_format;	   /* logged structure */
 } xfs_dq_logitem_t;
 
diff --git a/fs/xfs/xfs_buf_item.c b/fs/xfs/xfs_buf_item.c
index e0a1158..f3c49e6 100644
--- a/fs/xfs/xfs_buf_item.c
+++ b/fs/xfs/xfs_buf_item.c
@@ -467,8 +467,10 @@
 /*
  * This is called to attempt to lock the buffer associated with this
  * buf log item.  Don't sleep on the buffer lock.  If we can't get
- * the lock right away, return 0.  If we can get the lock, pull the
- * buffer from the free list, mark it busy, and return 1.
+ * the lock right away, return 0.  If we can get the lock, take a
+ * reference to the buffer. If this is a delayed write buffer that
+ * needs AIL help to be written back, invoke the pushbuf routine
+ * rather than the normal success path.
  */
 STATIC uint
 xfs_buf_item_trylock(
@@ -477,24 +479,18 @@
 	xfs_buf_t	*bp;
 
 	bp = bip->bli_buf;
-
-	if (XFS_BUF_ISPINNED(bp)) {
+	if (XFS_BUF_ISPINNED(bp))
 		return XFS_ITEM_PINNED;
-	}
-
-	if (!XFS_BUF_CPSEMA(bp)) {
+	if (!XFS_BUF_CPSEMA(bp))
 		return XFS_ITEM_LOCKED;
-	}
 
-	/*
-	 * Remove the buffer from the free list.  Only do this
-	 * if it's on the free list.  Private buffers like the
-	 * superblock buffer are not.
-	 */
+	/* take a reference to the buffer.  */
 	XFS_BUF_HOLD(bp);
 
 	ASSERT(!(bip->bli_flags & XFS_BLI_STALE));
 	trace_xfs_buf_item_trylock(bip);
+	if (XFS_BUF_ISDELAYWRITE(bp))
+		return XFS_ITEM_PUSHBUF;
 	return XFS_ITEM_SUCCESS;
 }
 
@@ -626,11 +622,9 @@
 }
 
 /*
- * This is called to asynchronously write the buffer associated with this
- * buf log item out to disk. The buffer will already have been locked by
- * a successful call to xfs_buf_item_trylock().  If the buffer still has
- * B_DELWRI set, then get it going out to disk with a call to bawrite().
- * If not, then just release the buffer.
+ * The buffer is locked, but is not a delayed write buffer. This happens
+ * if we race with IO completion and hence we don't want to try to write it
+ * again. Just release the buffer.
  */
 STATIC void
 xfs_buf_item_push(
@@ -642,17 +636,29 @@
 	trace_xfs_buf_item_push(bip);
 
 	bp = bip->bli_buf;
+	ASSERT(!XFS_BUF_ISDELAYWRITE(bp));
+	xfs_buf_relse(bp);
+}
 
-	if (XFS_BUF_ISDELAYWRITE(bp)) {
-		int	error;
-		error = xfs_bawrite(bip->bli_item.li_mountp, bp);
-		if (error)
-			xfs_fs_cmn_err(CE_WARN, bip->bli_item.li_mountp,
-			"xfs_buf_item_push: pushbuf error %d on bip %p, bp %p",
-					error, bip, bp);
-	} else {
-		xfs_buf_relse(bp);
-	}
+/*
+ * The buffer is locked and is a delayed write buffer. Promote the buffer
+ * in the delayed write queue as the caller knows that they must invoke
+ * the xfsbufd to get this buffer written. We have to unlock the buffer
+ * to allow the xfsbufd to write it, too.
+ */
+STATIC void
+xfs_buf_item_pushbuf(
+	xfs_buf_log_item_t	*bip)
+{
+	xfs_buf_t	*bp;
+
+	ASSERT(!(bip->bli_flags & XFS_BLI_STALE));
+	trace_xfs_buf_item_pushbuf(bip);
+
+	bp = bip->bli_buf;
+	ASSERT(XFS_BUF_ISDELAYWRITE(bp));
+	xfs_buf_delwri_promote(bp);
+	xfs_buf_relse(bp);
 }
 
 /* ARGSUSED */
@@ -677,7 +683,7 @@
 	.iop_committed	= (xfs_lsn_t(*)(xfs_log_item_t*, xfs_lsn_t))
 					xfs_buf_item_committed,
 	.iop_push	= (void(*)(xfs_log_item_t*))xfs_buf_item_push,
-	.iop_pushbuf	= NULL,
+	.iop_pushbuf	= (void(*)(xfs_log_item_t*))xfs_buf_item_pushbuf,
 	.iop_committing = (void(*)(xfs_log_item_t*, xfs_lsn_t))
 					xfs_buf_item_committing
 };
diff --git a/fs/xfs/xfs_inode_item.c b/fs/xfs/xfs_inode_item.c
index 207553e..d4dc063 100644
--- a/fs/xfs/xfs_inode_item.c
+++ b/fs/xfs/xfs_inode_item.c
@@ -602,33 +602,20 @@
 
 	if (!xfs_iflock_nowait(ip)) {
 		/*
-		 * If someone else isn't already trying to push the inode
-		 * buffer, we get to do it.
+		 * inode has already been flushed to the backing buffer,
+		 * leave it locked in shared mode, pushbuf routine will
+		 * unlock it.
 		 */
-		if (iip->ili_pushbuf_flag == 0) {
-			iip->ili_pushbuf_flag = 1;
-#ifdef DEBUG
-			iip->ili_push_owner = current_pid();
-#endif
-			/*
-			 * Inode is left locked in shared mode.
-			 * Pushbuf routine gets to unlock it.
-			 */
-			return XFS_ITEM_PUSHBUF;
-		} else {
-			/*
-			 * We hold the AIL lock, so we must specify the
-			 * NONOTIFY flag so that we won't double trip.
-			 */
-			xfs_iunlock(ip, XFS_ILOCK_SHARED|XFS_IUNLOCK_NONOTIFY);
-			return XFS_ITEM_FLUSHING;
-		}
-		/* NOTREACHED */
+		return XFS_ITEM_PUSHBUF;
 	}
 
 	/* Stale items should force out the iclog */
 	if (ip->i_flags & XFS_ISTALE) {
 		xfs_ifunlock(ip);
+		/*
+		 * we hold the AIL lock - notify the unlock routine of this
+		 * so it doesn't try to get the lock again.
+		 */
 		xfs_iunlock(ip, XFS_ILOCK_SHARED|XFS_IUNLOCK_NONOTIFY);
 		return XFS_ITEM_PINNED;
 	}
@@ -746,11 +733,8 @@
  * This gets called by xfs_trans_push_ail(), when IOP_TRYLOCK
  * failed to get the inode flush lock but did get the inode locked SHARED.
  * Here we're trying to see if the inode buffer is incore, and if so whether it's
- * marked delayed write. If that's the case, we'll initiate a bawrite on that
- * buffer to expedite the process.
- *
- * We aren't holding the AIL lock (or the flush lock) when this gets called,
- * so it is inherently race-y.
+ * marked delayed write. If that's the case, we'll promote it and that will
+ * allow the caller to write the buffer by triggering the xfsbufd to run.
  */
 STATIC void
 xfs_inode_item_pushbuf(
@@ -759,26 +743,16 @@
 	xfs_inode_t	*ip;
 	xfs_mount_t	*mp;
 	xfs_buf_t	*bp;
-	uint		dopush;
 
 	ip = iip->ili_inode;
-
 	ASSERT(xfs_isilocked(ip, XFS_ILOCK_SHARED));
 
 	/*
-	 * The ili_pushbuf_flag keeps others from
-	 * trying to duplicate our effort.
-	 */
-	ASSERT(iip->ili_pushbuf_flag != 0);
-	ASSERT(iip->ili_push_owner == current_pid());
-
-	/*
 	 * If a flush is not in progress anymore, chances are that the
 	 * inode was taken off the AIL. So, just get out.
 	 */
 	if (completion_done(&ip->i_flush) ||
 	    ((iip->ili_item.li_flags & XFS_LI_IN_AIL) == 0)) {
-		iip->ili_pushbuf_flag = 0;
 		xfs_iunlock(ip, XFS_ILOCK_SHARED);
 		return;
 	}
@@ -787,53 +761,12 @@
 	bp = xfs_incore(mp->m_ddev_targp, iip->ili_format.ilf_blkno,
 		    iip->ili_format.ilf_len, XBF_TRYLOCK);
 
-	if (bp != NULL) {
-		if (XFS_BUF_ISDELAYWRITE(bp)) {
-			/*
-			 * We were racing with iflush because we don't hold
-			 * the AIL lock or the flush lock. However, at this point,
-			 * we have the buffer, and we know that it's dirty.
-			 * So, it's possible that iflush raced with us, and
-			 * this item is already taken off the AIL.
-			 * If not, we can flush it async.
-			 */
-			dopush = ((iip->ili_item.li_flags & XFS_LI_IN_AIL) &&
-				  !completion_done(&ip->i_flush));
-			iip->ili_pushbuf_flag = 0;
-			xfs_iunlock(ip, XFS_ILOCK_SHARED);
-
-			trace_xfs_inode_item_push(bp, _RET_IP_);
-
-			if (XFS_BUF_ISPINNED(bp))
-				xfs_log_force(mp, 0);
-
-			if (dopush) {
-				int	error;
-				error = xfs_bawrite(mp, bp);
-				if (error)
-					xfs_fs_cmn_err(CE_WARN, mp,
-		"xfs_inode_item_pushbuf: pushbuf error %d on iip %p, bp %p",
-							error, iip, bp);
-			} else {
-				xfs_buf_relse(bp);
-			}
-		} else {
-			iip->ili_pushbuf_flag = 0;
-			xfs_iunlock(ip, XFS_ILOCK_SHARED);
-			xfs_buf_relse(bp);
-		}
-		return;
-	}
-	/*
-	 * We have to be careful about resetting pushbuf flag too early (above).
-	 * Even though in theory we can do it as soon as we have the buflock,
-	 * we don't want others to be doing work needlessly. They'll come to
-	 * this function thinking that pushing the buffer is their
-	 * responsibility only to find that the buffer is still locked by
-	 * another doing the same thing
-	 */
-	iip->ili_pushbuf_flag = 0;
 	xfs_iunlock(ip, XFS_ILOCK_SHARED);
+	if (!bp)
+		return;
+	if (XFS_BUF_ISDELAYWRITE(bp))
+		xfs_buf_delwri_promote(bp);
+	xfs_buf_relse(bp);
 	return;
 }
 
@@ -937,7 +870,6 @@
 	/*
 	   We have zeroed memory. No need ...
 	   iip->ili_extents_buf = NULL;
-	   iip->ili_pushbuf_flag = 0;
 	 */
 
 	iip->ili_format.ilf_type = XFS_LI_INODE;
diff --git a/fs/xfs/xfs_inode_item.h b/fs/xfs/xfs_inode_item.h
index cc8df1a..9a46795 100644
--- a/fs/xfs/xfs_inode_item.h
+++ b/fs/xfs/xfs_inode_item.h
@@ -144,12 +144,6 @@
 						      data exts */
 	struct xfs_bmbt_rec	*ili_aextents_buf; /* array of logged
 						      attr exts */
-	unsigned int            ili_pushbuf_flag;  /* one bit used in push_ail */
-
-#ifdef DEBUG
-	uint64_t                ili_push_owner;    /* one who sets pushbuf_flag
-						      above gets to push the buf */
-#endif
 #ifdef XFS_TRANS_DEBUG
 	int			ili_root_size;
 	char			*ili_orig_root;
diff --git a/fs/xfs/xfs_trans.h b/fs/xfs/xfs_trans.h
index ca64f33..c93e3a1 100644
--- a/fs/xfs/xfs_trans.h
+++ b/fs/xfs/xfs_trans.h
@@ -861,8 +861,7 @@
 #define	XFS_ITEM_SUCCESS	0
 #define	XFS_ITEM_PINNED		1
 #define	XFS_ITEM_LOCKED		2
-#define	XFS_ITEM_FLUSHING	3
-#define XFS_ITEM_PUSHBUF	4
+#define XFS_ITEM_PUSHBUF	3
 
 /*
  * This structure is used to maintain a list of block ranges that have been
diff --git a/fs/xfs/xfs_trans_ail.c b/fs/xfs/xfs_trans_ail.c
index d7b1af8..e799824 100644
--- a/fs/xfs/xfs_trans_ail.c
+++ b/fs/xfs/xfs_trans_ail.c
@@ -253,6 +253,7 @@
 	int		flush_log, count, stuck;
 	xfs_mount_t	*mp = ailp->xa_mount;
 	struct xfs_ail_cursor	*cur = &ailp->xa_cursors;
+	int		push_xfsbufd = 0;
 
 	spin_lock(&ailp->xa_lock);
 	xfs_trans_ail_cursor_init(ailp, cur);
@@ -308,6 +309,7 @@
 			XFS_STATS_INC(xs_push_ail_pushbuf);
 			IOP_PUSHBUF(lip);
 			last_pushed_lsn = lsn;
+			push_xfsbufd = 1;
 			break;
 
 		case XFS_ITEM_PINNED:
@@ -322,12 +324,6 @@
 			stuck++;
 			break;
 
-		case XFS_ITEM_FLUSHING:
-			XFS_STATS_INC(xs_push_ail_flushing);
-			last_pushed_lsn = lsn;
-			stuck++;
-			break;
-
 		default:
 			ASSERT(0);
 			break;
@@ -374,6 +370,11 @@
 		xfs_log_force(mp, 0);
 	}
 
+	if (push_xfsbufd) {
+		/* we've got delayed write buffers to flush */
+		wake_up_process(mp->m_ddev_targp->bt_task);
+	}
+
 	if (!count) {
 		/* We're past our target or empty, so idle */
 		last_pushed_lsn = 0;