fussy me - Engine

[clivvy]

ok, so the more I do to fix my car, the better it gets so I keep going.

next "issue" is, lets call it, idling. Now, I don twant to adjust idle, thats not it, but the thing I have is that when it idles, the engine rythm seems to sort of "skip", thats the best way I can describe it. Its very slight, but there, and it makes me think its going to stall on me or something.

now, what can cause this sort of issue? I changed my No1 injector a whiel back, but didnt do the other three, could it be that? I have new fuel filter, air filter, clean MAF and no other issues to report, no codes, runs well other than this. What can I check to sort this out, its slight, but tis doing my head in lol. All I want is that confident running engine, but i feel there is something just not quite right!

mine is a early 97 SWB, i've got the hitachi maf, zexel fuel pump if that helps...NO IDEA if i have mini filter and havent touched EGR yet...

 

[solarman216]

Most probably an injector needle not seating by a tad,or slightly sticky so at idle with very small fuel going through, it is tending to drip rather than spray, more fuel and it works fine, if it really bothers you have them tested, but mostly diesel shops will tell you thew are shagged when in fact there is nothing wrong, I used to have my own test rig but went a long time ago. Rick

 

[clivvy]

Thanks Rick,

No1 injector is brand new, is it worth me doing the other three perhaps? Or will a damn good clean (using injector cleaner) help at all? I figured if the no1 injector was ok, the other three would be, si this the case? I have no engine checklight on.

 

[solarman216]

Engine check light will not detect sticky pin, any more than injector cleaner will sort it, if it is sticky then it is sticky, (the tolerance of an injector element is such that on a good one if you withdraw the pin and hold it in your hand and put the body on a cold metal surface then try to insert it again it will not go) and injector cleaner will not dissolve carbon which is one of the causes of needle sticking, the only way, if as I said you cannot live with it, is to remove the three and have them tested, but really it is not going to cause any problems, you may even clear it if you give it a good hot hard blast up the motorway for a few hours, diesels love to be worked and worked hard, Rick

 

[clivvy]

Ok Rick, sound advice there thankyou! I'll see how long I can put up with it, if I give in, I'll just buy three new ones, I'm happy to do the job myself so at least it won't cost a fortune. I do suspect you are right though, because I already had to replace no1, and that was faulty, car was really bad before I changed it, and tons better after. I suspect they are the originals, and have 116k on them, so not too harsh if they need doing.

 

[solarman216]

One would expect fuel equipment to do that sort of mileage and more so long as the fuel is clean, water in the fuel and injectors and pump die in no time, Rick

 

[DEE]

What pump is on that there jeep mate

 

[clivvy]

ahh, I got the Zexel pump mate. Fairly sure thats running ok though, whats your thinking?

 

[lacroupade]

Engine check light will not detect sticky pin, any more than injector cleaner will sort it, if it is sticky then it is sticky, (the tolerance of an injector element is such that on a good one if you withdraw the pin and hold it in your hand and put the body on a cold metal surface then try to insert it again it will not go) and injector cleaner will not dissolve carbon which is one of the causes of needle sticking, the only way, if as I said you cannot live with it, is to remove the three and have them tested, but really it is not going to cause any problems, you may even clear it if you give it a good hot hard blast up the motorway for a few hours, diesels love to be worked and worked hard, Rick

Interesting to hear Rick; my three Terranos have been soundly thrashed up and down the motorway at high speed for their entire lives and I've never had a problem with injectors or any of that stuff.....in fact no engine problems at all ever.....:thumb2

I've always said that the less you drive these things the less they like it....:augie

 

[clivvy]

Interesting to hear Rick; my three Terranos have been soundly thrashed up and down the motorway at high speed for their entire lives and I've never had a problem with injectors or any of that stuff.....in fact no engine problems at all ever.....:thumb2

I've always said that the less you drive these things the less they like it....:augie

you seem to have some great luck with these cars!

but, funny that you say the thing about the less you drive these cars, the less they liek it, because thats one thing I HAVE noticed. The more I drive my car, for example this weekend ive done several trips, but after the first trip is when i posted this. then after that it seems to be behaving 100%, even at idle. so next week im using it for work everyday, seems ot me it needs a damn good run.

 

[lacroupade]

you seem to have some great luck with these cars!

but, funny that you say the thing about the less you drive these cars, the less they liek it, because thats one thing I HAVE noticed. The more I drive my car, for example this weekend ive done several trips, but after the first trip is when i posted this. then after that it seems to be behaving 100%, even at idle. so next week im using it for work everyday, seems ot me it needs a damn good run.

Its not about luck mate - I've had my share of 'issues'...two notable ones were an auto gearbox rebuild that cost me £1500 and a rear wheel bearing that went without warning (none of the usual noises etc..so assumed it was a duffer) which took out the half shaft when it went.....another expensive repair....but other than that its been a case of regular servicing (ouch £££££) and trash the bitch!! LOL

Even run it to conk-out at 90mph after putting a full tank of petrol in and not realising until too late - £150 to flush the bugger but never missed a beat the next 80,000 miles...