Flat spot under hard acceleration

[Tripps]

Spotted this yesterday while racing along country lanes to stay ahead of a Griff 500...

A few times under hard load, at around 4000-4500 revs in 3rd and 4th the engine appeared to cut out, as if it had hit the limiter, but well before. Both times I double-checked to ensure I hadn't got my gear-changes mixed up, but I was definitely in the sweet-spot, so am a bit puzzled as the engine is running very stong otherwise.

[allanbyrne]

I have a similar problem with my S2 EFI and found a small fuel leak around the pressure regulator, where I assume air is getting in too and causing the misfire. I rang Ford this morning to get a new O ring, only to find they dont sell them any more. They want £100 for a fuel gasket set, but don't sell them either??? So my only option is a new regulator at £50. Someone is 'aving a laugh.

Anyone know where I can get this little sucker?

[spivvy]

allanbyrne said:

I have a similar problem with my S2 EFI and found a small fuel leak around the pressure regulator, where I assume air is getting in too and causing the misfire. I rang Ford this morning to get a new O ring, only to find they dont sell them any more. They want £100 for a fuel gasket set, but don't sell them either??? So my only option is a new regulator at £50. Someone is 'aving a laugh.

Anyone know where I can get this little sucker?

where is the pressure regulator on a EFI engine and what does it look like ?

[allanbyrne]

The pressure regulator is on the top of the engine, in the middle between the rocker covers, at the back. It has one fuel line in, a vacuum line at the back (connecetd through a rubber cover) and has two m6 bolts securing it to a smnall manifold plate. About 7cm in length 3.5cm diameter. Mine is a 2.9 EFI, without a cat. Found a place to get an o-ring too, Paul at Austec Racing near Crawley, helpful guy, I will get the engine set up by him this summer.

Edited by allanbyrne on Monday 2nd April 12:58

[yellabelly]

Try this link re the FSE regulator, Demon Tweeks stock them but you need to know whethe it is a vertical or horizontal mounting.
cost about £70 - £80 IIRC.
YB

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=&t=63197

Damn, forgot to post the link!

Edited by yellabelly on Wednesday 4th April 01:11

[SS2.]

Tripps,

My S2 doesn't have an FSE fuel regulator thingy and I had exactly the symptoms you describe. Plant the right boot into the carpet, engine hits about 4.5k - 5k and then nothing - a complete loss of power - until you come off the gas and then hit the accelerator again.

I replaced the throttle pot and cleaned its connections and I cleaned the idle speed valve and both AFMs. The AFM 'hot wires', in particular, were completely gunked up.

I can't say for certain what I did (if anything) that cured the problem, but I haven't experienced the same issues since..

[spivvy]

SS2. said:

Tripps,

My S2 doesn't have an FSE fuel regulator thingy and I had exactly the symptoms you describe. Plant the right boot into the carpet, engine hits about 4.5k - 5k and then nothing - a complete loss of power - until you come off the gas and then hit the accelerator again.

I replaced the throttle pot and cleaned its connections and I cleaned the idle speed valve and both AFMs. The AFM 'hot wires', in particular, were completely gunked up.

I can't say for certain what I did (if anything) that cured the problem, but I haven't experienced the same issues since..

where would i find the idle speed valve does it exist on an S3 also

Edited by spivvy on Tuesday 3rd April 16:09

[yellabelly]

Spivvy, here you go



with regards to the AFMs getting gummed up the following photos show before and after cleaning.




YB

[spivvy]

how did you clean the idle speed valve is it just an electrical connector

[mike robo]

I had the same symptoms on my S2. Turn out to be fuel starvation. Previous somebody had the fuel tank sender unit out, and on refit had used silicone sealant. This had gone all over a filter in the bowl of the tank. Over time the pump had been fighting this and was starting to lose. New fuel pump and filter in the bin (it's got the inline filter anyway), job done.

[SS2.]

spivvy said:

how did you clean the idle speed valve is it just an electrical connector

I can't find a photo of one at the moment. Its a tubular gizmo (from memory, maybe 3" long by 1.5" diameter), not far from the throttle pot assembly. To clean it, I just 'rinsed' it through with carburettor cleaner

Symptoms of a wonky ISCV would be intermittent or rough idling - not really the issues that Tripps posted about..

[yellabelly]

Would a photo of it help? possibly coloured a pinky red so that you might actually be able to recognise it

Just a thought!!!!







why do I bother getting the photo out, colouring it pinky red and posting it here? I dunno why do you do it Ray? just cos' I'm a helpful sort! done ranting, going to bed

[yellabelly]

spivvy said:

how did you clean the idle speed valve is it just an electrical connector

spivvy, disconnect the solenoid and then give the valve a thorough cleaning with carburettor cleaner making sure you clean all the carbon off the valve seat and stem.
YB

[clarenceboddiger]

yellabelly said:

spivvy said:

how did you clean the idle speed valve is it just an electrical connector

spivvy, disconnect the solenoid and then give the valve a thorough cleaning with carburettor cleaner making sure you clean all the carbon off the valve seat and stem.
YB

What did you clean the wire in the AFM with ????, I dont want to damage it,what did you do ,let it soak,then rinse off??

[HarryW]

clarenceboddiger said:

yellabelly said:

spivvy said:

how did you clean the idle speed valve is it just an electrical connector

spivvy, disconnect the solenoid and then give the valve a thorough cleaning with carburettor cleaner making sure you clean all the carbon off the valve seat and stem.
YB

What did you clean the wire in the AFM with ????, I dont want to damage it,what did you do ,let it soak,then rinse off??

Not sure what was used but I would try one of those carb cleaner aerosols

[yellabelly]

Spivvy, Harry, Ken, I used Carb Cleaner let it soak in then use a cotton bud, gently, to clear the crud off. It's worth checking every 6 months or so.

Happy 'top down' Easter to all

YB

[mr clifford]

I too am having a few rough running problems at the present.

Symptons are;

A bad misss fire
Cars cutting out at speed and at stop /slowing down junctions
Tempature seems to run hot, (smells ! or is it my imagination ?)
Car once warmed up wouldnt idle.

So far, I have,
taken out all plugs..new 1,000 miles ago. All plugs were very black and yucky
now clean again.
Taken off the idle speed valve, cleaned it and the car now idles..but its sounds under pressure to do so.
A little while ago I had a new thermostat and new housing fitted. Not sure if the
mechanic properly filled the cooling system by using the `air` plug in the top of the rad. So, I have released the screw butterfly plug, drained off some water, turned the heater up full and refilled missing water. Question, how long would you need to do this process in minutes ? I let water out and topped up for about 10 minutes. Didnt hear or notice any air coming out though. Just my anti freeze !! Should I have run this process for longer.
Also regarding the AFM as mentioned in this post. How do you get inside it ? My seems to have a top fitted with 4 screws on the side, but the black plastic cover seems stuck very well ! Also, loved the picture of the `pink` idle speed valve ! Now I know where it is !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks in anticipation. (otherwise its off to the garage in Daventry !)

[jt]

recently drained the cooling system and had to completely refill it. I found that after the initial filling whilst running the engine a short drive followed by rad bleeding and subsequent swirl pot level checks did the trick (max 30 mins).

jake

[Tripps]

mr clifford said:

Cars cutting out at speed and at stop /slowing down junctions

Probably completely the wrong ball-park, but my Cerb did this when the throttle pots started to die.

[clarenceboddiger]

Tripps said:

mr clifford said:

Cars cutting out at speed and at stop /slowing down junctions

Probably completely the wrong ball-park, but my Cerb did this when the throttle pots started to die.

Same here on my S, and its a real pain braking with your left foot approaching traffic lights in neutral whilst trying to stop the engine from dying by blipping the throttle.