HELP! Frustrating 1.8 K-series starting/running problems

[Emeye]

Hello,

I've got a 99 plate 1.8 Freelander with the dodgy 1.8 K-series engine.

It has a strange starting and sluggish running problem that I cannot get to the bottom of. I had it at my local garage for 2 weeks and things are not much better. It is definitely not the head gasket and there are no errors any more in the computer - initially there was a coolant temp sensor and inlet manifold error.

I cannot get it to start from cold unless I disconnect the Coolant Temperature Sensor and give it a bit of gas - I can then connect the sensor and it will run but is very sluggish, but will not stall.

The problem started the morning after the coldest night of the year - it appeared to be over-fuelling. It was turning over but not starting and there was a strong smell of petrol. I replaced the plugs, distributor cap, rotor arm and HT leads and it started first time, but ran rough.

I then replaced the Coolant Temperature Sensor, but the problem didn't go away so I gave up and handed it to my local garage - they have replaced the coil, replaced the inlet manifold and injectors and also replaced the water pipes as they said they were collapsing.

It does run better than it did, but still I have the starting problem and it is sluggish to drive.

Could the after market Coolant Sensor I bought be dodgy? Could it be another sensor like the Lambda Sensor that is playing up and unplugging the Coolant Temp Sensor hides the real problem by compensating?

HELP!

ETA: I've spent hours searching the web for possible answers, but when I find people with similar problems, there is never a solution posted!

Edited by Emeye on Tuesday 28th December 20:25

[Emeye]

Cheers for the replies, I'm East of Manchester - I will check with my garage whether they have a scantool - originally my freelander was running very rich, the plugs were covered in petrol when I took them out and replaced them initially. I need to confirm if this is still the case.

This has been suggested as the possible problem and solution by a member of the mg-rover.org forum who experienced the same on his wife's freelander:
http://www.myfreelander.co.uk/Body/femmemprobs8.ht...

Thanks - I feel like I'm making progress now.

[Emeye]

dblack1 said:

gas on the plugs doesnt mean ur running rich, it means your not getting combustion.

Edit: Fuel filter would cause a lean condition.

Thanks, that makes more sense then! It was a friend that said the soaked plugs and smell of petrol meant running rich. Thing is I suspect I may have a combination of problems, some that have now been cured - the reason I suspect this is because when I located the fuel pump under the rear seats it looked like someone had been messing with the wiring just before the pump - there was tape on the loom. I wonder if the previous owner had some problems. The engine performance I'm experiencing suggests a lack of fuel.

Cheers.