Breaking down!!!!

[yatesjk]

I have a frustrating problem with my 4.0 HC Chimaera. The car is a 1995, it is used nearly every day, and goes really well usually, but has let me down 4 times in the last eight months with the same problem. The car gets to "normal" temperature(Approx 80 - 90 deg) and suddenly starts to miss very slightly. The missing then get progressivly worse, until it "dies" completly. Once the car has cooled down, it then starts first time and the problem dissapears for weeks / months. The car has got hotter than the "normal" temp on really warm days, and in traffic, on a number of occasions with no issues! It has also been driven really hard for prolonged periods with no issues, no matter what I do I cant seem to induce the problem, but it returns fron time to time. Has anyone had similar problems? Anyone got any ideas on what to check or change first?

[hut49]

I'd suspect a fuel starvation problem. Thinking back to the times when it happened do you recall how much fuel you had in the tank? Do you tend to drive with it full or at least generally dive into the Optimax station before it gets to half-full (OK, half-empty for all you pessimists)? If you have a tank venting blockage (carbon cannister gummed up) then you can develop quite a vacuum in the tank that can cause fuel starvation. It can be most problematic when the tank is running low on full. Sometimes you might even hear a bang as the tank shape deforms as the vacuum develops. The next time the problem happens stop and open the fuel cap - if you hear a strong sucking then chances are your vent (well, you know what I mean) is blocked. This might be a cause to at least exclude from the list.

[jaz chimaera]

I had similar issues... do you smell a real stentch of petrol when this happens?? If so I agree its the Carbon Can.. I got mine replaced a month ago..and its been fine ever since!

[nick275uk]

Is this something you can do yourself, or is a specialist job.??

Did it cost much.?? What parts are required.??

Where is the carbon cannister located.??

[jaz chimaera]

I had it replaced by a specialist...its cost approx £250 incl parts..Carbon Can is £90..its located in the front right (?? or left)of the car...

[Paulu]

Hi Chaps, the carbon can is around £47 and easy to fit, looking at this it could be a different fault which is quite east to sort out. Two Types out there one is a Charlton unitl and the other is landrover, but I am unsure which way to fit the pipes on the landrover unit as it is not labled. the Charlton unit is labled. I think you can use any one so use the cheapest one you can get.
I had the same problem with my car when I first got it, and it turned out to be a bad earth to the Chassis, so I took my canister back it was not needed.