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Mar 16, 2012 20:50:49 GMT
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Right, I've got a fiesta that has been sat in a garage for quite a few years. It's running, sort of but it's failed an MOT on emissions and it's running very lumpy so just need some advice. Originally it didn't run at all so I changed the fuel pump, put in fresh fuel and changed the spark plugs. This got it started and driving fine just round the yard. When I drove it to the garage for its MOT it started coughing and spluttering especially when driving up a hill. Down a hill it would do 50mph no probs. The garage fiddled with the fuel mixture to try and get it to pass the MOT but that didn't help. The have advised its running too rich and i might need a new Carb. I'm not that techy so I'm a bit reluctant to take the carb apart to clean it and trying to source a new carb will be a pain. So...any ideas on what I can try next. Will putting Redex in the carb help? Is it running rich or actually starving of fuel?? Help!!  |
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Mar 16, 2012 21:56:30 GMT
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Anycarb that has just been sat for a few years will most likely have gummed up slightly and probably does require a good cleanout,... now to a certain extent you can do this simply by removing it and spraying a few cans of carb/choke cleaner around the exterior, and anywhere you can get to on the inside of it. Redex may well help too,... but really.... It would be a good idea to face your fear and pull it apart, there's really not that much that can go wrong if you are systematic and note how and where things come apart. Also,.. I would change the points and condenser straight away for new items. Cheap parts that make a big difference. If you are not happy doing the carb, you're welcome to send it to me and I will clean it for you How well was the car running before it was laid up? |
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Mar 16, 2012 22:10:11 GMT
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Suggestions (based on 7 years of running a Hillman Imp as my only car, and a couple of occasions mucking about with a Mk1 Fiesta): 1) Set the valve clearances. They will probably be miles out by now, especially if it's been run for any length of time without a lead-replacement substitute (like Castrol Valvemaster). 2) If it has a Motorcraft distributor, replace it with a Bosch. The Bosch is a much better design. You can fit the Electrinic unit from a Mk2, or just stick with points. But go Bosch. Motorcraft has a low body and a wide black cap:  Bosch has a taller, narrower body and a red cap (this one is the electronic unit with the black module on the side, but the points one looks similar otherwise):  3) Check that the ignition system is in generalyl good health - good points and condensor (Bosch branded stuff, not Intemotor reproduction bits), reasonable coil and HT leads - and is giving a nice big fat blue spark 4) Set the ignition timing. This will make a massive difference to the emissions (especially the hydrocarbon readings AFAIK). 5) Check the air filter, and maybe even change the engine oil - these things can make a difference. 6) Only after doing all that look at adjusting the carb - there's no point mucking about with the fuelling if what's going in isn't being burnt properly. 7) It does sound like it's running rich at idle, but the lack of power sounds a LOT like ignition setup IME. There's little point dismantling and cleaning out a carb unless the engine's running lean - any dirt tends not to block the air passages but the fuel passages. Other suggestion: find a classic car specialist to have a go at it if you're not that mechanically minded. All the principles of the Fiesta are exactly the same as everything going back to the 50s and even earlier - but they start to change from the mid-late 80s on, and modern cars are VERY different to work on. Most garages won't have a clue when it comes to points and carbs, TBH. |
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Mar 18, 2012 15:17:14 GMT
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Thanks for your info. I also forgot to mention that after driving it I found a lot of oil in the air filter and air box itself.
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Mar 19, 2012 11:03:01 GMT
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Ah well thats probably your problem it's oiled up the plugs take then out and check, this may not be a big deal, first get it running and take the oil cap of, put you hand over the top if it builds up presure quickly then the rings may be gone and if you get a lot of smoke/gas coming out then that maybe also showing the rings are on the way out.
But if thats ok then you emisions stuff is all blocked up common for fiesta and will need taking off and a dam good clean in petrol etc, or replacing.
on the electrical side your condessor maybe on the way out.
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