Thanks to all who helped with my previous post, it was indeed the thermostat not just the sensor. 1.3 mpi 2000 model.

I thought all the running probs would now dissapear. Since I cleaned the throttle body it now idles slightly fast and very fast with every other touch of the throttle pedal. This happens in two blip cycles without fail, high/low high/low and so on. No fault codes were detected when tested.

The mechanic said that it was likely that the throttle body was at fault and that in the past similar symptoms have been seen with no codes being shown.

Any ideas on what to do next?

Thanks, EP

Is the throttle cable adjusted correctly?

Have basic settings been carried out on the throttle body?

Check that the throttle quadrant is resting on the idle stop every time the throttle is closed, and that you have the minimum amount of slack the throttle cable can have in that position. Now, if the idle speed is still variable, check that the throttle return spring(s) are ok (no breaks).

Thanks for the advice. Checked all the mentioned parts and still no difference, so took the throttle body off completely. Cleaned it and the butterfly but didn't seem dirty at all really as I'd cleaned it already, albeit fitted to the engine.

Put it back together and hey presto all was well with the idle.

The only thing I would say now is that it still doesn't pull that cleanly in the lower gears compared to how it pulls in top gear. You find yourself pushing the pedal ahead of the revs if you see what I mean and backing off to let it pick up a little. Any ideas on this one?

Many thanks,

EP