Hi, need some help for a relative. The symptoms are:

Running rich (approx 25% more fuel being used).

Erratic revs when idling in traffic, dropping off from approx 800rpm, near to stalling then revving higher and lower before settling again. This fault is intermittent.

Heater doesn't work for a long time, then will suddenly come on.

Temperature gauge does not work until the heater comes on.

Any ideas people? Many thanks in advance.

try disconecting temp thermastat sender unit and see if this makes a diffrents try shorting no 2 + 4 on the thermastat sender plug and turn ign on ( do not start engine ) and see if temp gauge works you need a new unit about £15 check air intake manifold gasket new gasket costs about £9 from grum 1969 on ebay thats for 1300 mpi

Hi, need some help for a relative. The symptoms are:

Running rich (approx 25% more fuel being used).

Erratic revs when idling in traffic, dropping off from approx 800rpm, near to stalling then revving higher and lower before settling again. This fault is intermittent.

Heater doesn't work for a long time, then will suddenly come on.

Temperature gauge does not work until the heater comes on.

Any ideas people? Many thanks in advance.

if the temperature gauge doesn't work until heater work it means you have an water obstruction of some kind and a problem with the thermostat so to fix this;

drain the coolant, remove temperature sender (it comes off very easy by removing a clip) and flush the engine with a garden hose though that opening, i would recommend taking the time to inspect the thermostat by removing 3 bolts (8 or 10mm) also try to flush the heater by disconnecting the hose and running fresh water through it (i believe that some junk is going to come off after a while,

reconnect everything and start filling it with coolant and leave the cap of the reservoir off untill you see decent flow from the little hose coming out and steam coming out make sure you have good coolant flow and keep topping of the reservoir to the brim, accelerate the engine couple of times while doing this last part.

that will cure all you're illness cus' your problem is water circulation, as soon as the temp sender register heat it will normalize fuel economy and intermittent reving (by the way car will always rev higher when temperature rises and then will quickly decline as friction force increases)

Edited 28 December, 200817 yr by Cepheuz

Please don't start your engine with no water in it. While it will do absolutely no harm for short periods (from cold only) there is no reason to do so at all, the method of filling an engine from empty does in no way include running it while dry.

Open heater valve. Fill from highest point available.If not practical fill from header tank having removed a bleed screw or the highest hose you can find on the engine, as you get to the point of engine being "full" you will notice water will start to come out, sometimes you will need to help it through by squeezing a rad pipe or blowing the (full) header tank with your mouth (not much pressure is needed), but generally engines will fill easily.

Once full replace bleed screw or pipe and run engine for a few minutes then while engine is running open and close heater valve a few times (rotate heat knob on heater panel) leaving it open afterwards, then as engine is approaching operating temp release bleed screw or pipe slightly again to release any air in the system, there will probably be very little or non so don't worry if only water comes out.

Allow engine to cool and then top up water level as required. Keep an eye on water level for next week or so.

sometimes you will need to help it through by squeezing a rad pipe or blowing the (full) header tank with your mouth (not much pressure is needed),

Once full replace bleed screw or pipe and run engine for a few minutes then while engine is running open and close heater valve a few times (rotate heat knob on heater panel) leaving it open afterwards

then as engine is approaching operating temp release bleed screw or pipe slightly again to release any air in the system, there will probably be very little or non so don't worry if only water comes out.

Allow engine to cool and then top up water level as required. Keep an eye on water level for next week or so.

its kinda the benefit to start with the engine running less step, and the fact that you don't have to monitor coolant level at all, is a set it and forget it kinda deal...

but to all honesty i'm a little of a mad scientist and like to tryout anything that comes to mind just to see what happens (you know that saying "if is not broken..." well, motto #1 to me is don't pay heed to it)

Edited 1 January, 200917 yr by Cepheuz

I would say the fault is as simple as the thermostat stuck open. Change it , refill with coolant and run engine up to running temperature. Dont run it without any water in the system as these engines dont fair very well dry, They are a self bleeding system, but a squeeze on the pipes as it warms up will get out any small air bubbles trapped in there

i wonder if he fixed the stat and how is the car running

You shouldn't really run the engine with no coolant as the antifreeze lubricates the seal on the waterpump, no coolant no lubrication and eventually long term damage to the pump with leaks and bearing damage. Same reasons for just running with water and no antifreeze but add corrosion damage to the head as well!!!.:thumbdwn:

You shouldn't really run the engine with no coolant as the antifreeze lubricates the seal on the waterpump, no coolant no lubrication and eventually long term damage to the pump with leaks and bearing damage. Same reasons for just running with water and no antifreeze but add corrosion damage to the head as well!!!.:thumbdwn:

i know that, but is not running the engine for a long while, less than a minute in fact, but i already retracted myself and delete all the post with i'll advices and have taken the advices cu's here in the Dominican Republic there is a saying that goes "whom follows advice dies of old age" and another that goes "is wiser to hear than bear mind"

Thanks for the advice everyone. I shall forward this thread onto my Aunt so she can get someone local to have a look at it (I live over 100 miles away unfortunately).