A few niggles.... (and worries)
Discussion
Evenin'a all!
First post in the S section, I've previously had 2 Chimaeras and several Loti, So know what to expect!
A few of you may know me from the Chimaera facebook group (I run it)
I bought an '88 S1 last weekend, and am very impressed with it, compared to the chims, seems far more responsive and less floppy.
Anyhoo A few thing that are annoying / worrying me, hopefully you can help!!
- Cold start, sometimes it struggles, churns over for 5 seconds then splutters to life, but sometime starts fine???
- My oil pressure gauge is behaving oddly, not sure if its the sender, the engine of the gauge. On start it will shoot up to 50 and then drop a few times (in an on/off way), it will hold 50 if i move off, until it gets warm, then drops to 25 ish and stays there.
- Today it cut out on me completely. was going along fine, temp fine etc, then just cut. Pulled over restarted no problems off i went. (I cant remember if the fuel pump was running when i stopped though)
- I'm only getting 12.8v at the battery so suspect the alternator is playing up, ive removed the brush thing and cleaned everything but no change :-(
- Lastly it needs a service, so need oil, plugs, leads, filters, dizzy cap and arm etc - Where's good?
First post in the S section, I've previously had 2 Chimaeras and several Loti, So know what to expect!
A few of you may know me from the Chimaera facebook group (I run it)
I bought an '88 S1 last weekend, and am very impressed with it, compared to the chims, seems far more responsive and less floppy.
Anyhoo A few thing that are annoying / worrying me, hopefully you can help!!
- Cold start, sometimes it struggles, churns over for 5 seconds then splutters to life, but sometime starts fine???
- My oil pressure gauge is behaving oddly, not sure if its the sender, the engine of the gauge. On start it will shoot up to 50 and then drop a few times (in an on/off way), it will hold 50 if i move off, until it gets warm, then drops to 25 ish and stays there.
- Today it cut out on me completely. was going along fine, temp fine etc, then just cut. Pulled over restarted no problems off i went. (I cant remember if the fuel pump was running when i stopped though)
- I'm only getting 12.8v at the battery so suspect the alternator is playing up, ive removed the brush thing and cleaned everything but no change :-(
- Lastly it needs a service, so need oil, plugs, leads, filters, dizzy cap and arm etc - Where's good?
Wecome.
Usually there would be a wealth of info by now, maybe they're having a night off.
Oil pressure guage sounds like bad connection to me, values you mentioned sound good.
Change the oil anyway 20/50 high zinc content (discuss)
See if the battery stays charged, mine always looks like it's not charging but stays full.
Can't comment on starting issues, S1 has different fuelling.
The wiki at the top of the home screen will answer most of the parts questions.
Many others will be along soon
Usually there would be a wealth of info by now, maybe they're having a night off.
Oil pressure guage sounds like bad connection to me, values you mentioned sound good.
Change the oil anyway 20/50 high zinc content (discuss)
See if the battery stays charged, mine always looks like it's not charging but stays full.
Can't comment on starting issues, S1 has different fuelling.
The wiki at the top of the home screen will answer most of the parts questions.
Many others will be along soon
Oil pressure, I agree probably no more than iffy electrical connection, or could be the sender unit?
12.8 volts isn't brill not not disastrous, is that from the dash voltmeter or your own meter across the battery, tickover or with a few revs on?
No experience of the inferior (
) 2.8 engine so can't offer any help there, far fewer of them around but help will be along I'm sure.
Service parts from any decent motor factor, same as 2.8 Capri or Sierra XR4i. you need a slim oil filter, some are too tall to fit between engine and chassis.
12.8 volts isn't brill not not disastrous, is that from the dash voltmeter or your own meter across the battery, tickover or with a few revs on?
No experience of the inferior (
) 2.8 engine so can't offer any help there, far fewer of them around but help will be along I'm sure.Service parts from any decent motor factor, same as 2.8 Capri or Sierra XR4i. you need a slim oil filter, some are too tall to fit between engine and chassis.
Edited by phillpot on Tuesday 23 June 23:05
I'd start with the usual suspects:
- check all the earthing points
- check the main 4 pole connector from the ignition switch (they have a habit of melting...)
- check the connectors in the fuel injection circuits
Possibly a bit of cleaning up to do?
Some of the guages are very voltage sensitive and it doesn't take much in the way of a poor earth or dirty connector to get all sorts of weird readings.
- check all the earthing points
- check the main 4 pole connector from the ignition switch (they have a habit of melting...)
- check the connectors in the fuel injection circuits
Possibly a bit of cleaning up to do?
Some of the guages are very voltage sensitive and it doesn't take much in the way of a poor earth or dirty connector to get all sorts of weird readings.
Morning Smegmium (Red Dwarf fan?) and welcome
Not much point looking for starting problem until it is serviced. Spec for all the parts is in the links at the top of this forum. Well worth familiarising yourself with what info is available there, it is an invaluable reference source for S owners.
As far as getting the bits is concerned I do not know your area but I would look for one of the long established factors like General Traffic, purely because they will have experience going back to these old Ford engines. With respect to EurocarParts, unless you can find the part by ref to the reg number (and you wont for ours!) they usually get lost. Go for a 20W50 mineral oil, the favourite appears to be Valvoline (at least amongst we 2.8 owners.
Starting problem could be lots of things, just get the basics set up right then we can see if it persists and then see if we can help. I am not even going to make any suggestions until the service is done except to say that part of the service should be to check and clean all electrical connections. The engine electrics on the 2.8 are completely different to the 2.9 and poor connections (or broken wires) at the many sensors for the Jetronic are a regular source of problems. They are now old wires and connectors and very exposed, you would be lucky indeed if they were all in good nick.
Not much point looking for starting problem until it is serviced. Spec for all the parts is in the links at the top of this forum. Well worth familiarising yourself with what info is available there, it is an invaluable reference source for S owners.
As far as getting the bits is concerned I do not know your area but I would look for one of the long established factors like General Traffic, purely because they will have experience going back to these old Ford engines. With respect to EurocarParts, unless you can find the part by ref to the reg number (and you wont for ours!) they usually get lost. Go for a 20W50 mineral oil, the favourite appears to be Valvoline (at least amongst we 2.8 owners.
Starting problem could be lots of things, just get the basics set up right then we can see if it persists and then see if we can help. I am not even going to make any suggestions until the service is done except to say that part of the service should be to check and clean all electrical connections. The engine electrics on the 2.8 are completely different to the 2.9 and poor connections (or broken wires) at the many sensors for the Jetronic are a regular source of problems. They are now old wires and connectors and very exposed, you would be lucky indeed if they were all in good nick.
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