S1 Won't idle, lumpy under 3000 rpm.. bugger !
Discussion
Hi Chaps, can someone give me some guidance please.
Ever since buying the S1 its not been too keen on idling (however has managed it).. then having left it alone for a stint in the winter its now not really at all happy.
I've cleaned up all the HT leads, dizzy, coil contacts, plugs etc so am confident its not an ignition issue, but basically the problem is that the car will fire up fine with some blipping on the throttle, but will not idle at all (hot or cold) I have to hold it at 1600-2000 rpm to keep the engine running, and even then its very lumpy. Over 3000 rpm its fine, and driving it under load its fine too (although its not interested with anything under 2000rpm).
Having nosed about a bit I'm coming down in favour of the warm up regulator. The car has "backfired" through the inlet side a couple of times when trying to start it, and also does this a bit out of the rear when taking my foot off under load. Anyway, this is my best guess accordingly do you chaps agree/disagree, and if so how do I adjust it..? (or do I throw it away and get another one from the scrapyard.
I've got a 1stLotus day booked in 4 weeks time so I've got to get it sorted out before then..
Cheers in advance
Matt.
PS - before anyone suggests the throttle pot, this is the 2.8 Engine with K Jet ignition.
Ever since buying the S1 its not been too keen on idling (however has managed it).. then having left it alone for a stint in the winter its now not really at all happy.
I've cleaned up all the HT leads, dizzy, coil contacts, plugs etc so am confident its not an ignition issue, but basically the problem is that the car will fire up fine with some blipping on the throttle, but will not idle at all (hot or cold) I have to hold it at 1600-2000 rpm to keep the engine running, and even then its very lumpy. Over 3000 rpm its fine, and driving it under load its fine too (although its not interested with anything under 2000rpm).
Having nosed about a bit I'm coming down in favour of the warm up regulator. The car has "backfired" through the inlet side a couple of times when trying to start it, and also does this a bit out of the rear when taking my foot off under load. Anyway, this is my best guess accordingly do you chaps agree/disagree, and if so how do I adjust it..? (or do I throw it away and get another one from the scrapyard.
I've got a 1stLotus day booked in 4 weeks time so I've got to get it sorted out before then..
Cheers in advance
Matt.
PS - before anyone suggests the throttle pot, this is the 2.8 Engine with K Jet ignition.
You possibly don't want to hear this, but in my case it was the ECU. The car started fine, but wouldn't hold tick over when at roundabouts etc. Needed to keep the revs up on the throttle.
Car finally expired at Goodwood when we were pushing a 3000M round the circuit for Red Nose day - this was pre Revival so many years ago. Portfield (then local dealer) sorted it out for me.
Car finally expired at Goodwood when we were pushing a 3000M round the circuit for Red Nose day - this was pre Revival so many years ago. Portfield (then local dealer) sorted it out for me.
M@H said:
Hi Chaps, can someone give me some guidance please.
Ever since buying the S1 its not been too keen on idling (however has managed it).. then having left it alone for a stint in the winter its now not really at all happy.
I've cleaned up all the HT leads, dizzy, coil contacts, plugs etc so am confident its not an ignition issue, but basically the problem is that the car will fire up fine with some blipping on the throttle, but will not idle at all (hot or cold) I have to hold it at 1600-2000 rpm to keep the engine running, and even then its very lumpy. Over 3000 rpm its fine, and driving it under load its fine too (although its not interested with anything under 2000rpm).
Having nosed about a bit I'm coming down in favour of the warm up regulator. The car has "backfired" through the inlet side a couple of times when trying to start it, and also does this a bit out of the rear when taking my foot off under load. Anyway, this is my best guess accordingly do you chaps agree/disagree, and if so how do I adjust it..? (or do I throw it away and get another one from the scrapyard.
I've got a 1stLotus day booked in 4 weeks time so I've got to get it sorted out before then..
Cheers in advance
Matt.
PS - before anyone suggests the throttle pot, this is the 2.8 Engine with K Jet ignition.
Is there a vacuum feed to the brake servo ???? Check that there isn't too much air getting into the system from a hole in the servo (rusty at bottom ?) or any other spots ??
Well I guess that shows me Sounds like warm up regulator, had a capri that did similar things, you need a fuel pressure gauge and the injection suppliment manual for the 2.8 capri to check it.
It could also be the the throttle plate sticking in the housing due to dirt or maybe the mixture is very weak check it with Co meter.
i have a fuel pressure gauge i used on my old 2.8 that you can borrow if you are near me, but i would just get a warm up regulator and try that, there are various electrical checks you can make to the Regulator in the suppliment
Dave
It could also be the the throttle plate sticking in the housing due to dirt or maybe the mixture is very weak check it with Co meter.
i have a fuel pressure gauge i used on my old 2.8 that you can borrow if you are near me, but i would just get a warm up regulator and try that, there are various electrical checks you can make to the Regulator in the suppliment
Dave
Hi S3Davep, many thanks for the thoughts.. 
much the same as I'd expected so I'll have a hunt around the scrappies for another one.. sadly we're a fair way apart so thanks for the offer of the meter, but I'll have to pass... is that the Haynes Manual you talk of..? There are a few electrical checks in the bible too IIRC.. can I use either the Capri or the Sierra 4X4 Warm-up reg (I'm guessing there were no year specific changes on the 2.8.?)
Johno, Hi mate.. I'll have a look, although there's definitely some vacuum getting through as if i disconnect the hose off the Warm up regulator it will barely run at all.
tvrgaas, unlikely as it hasnt really got an ECU.
Wonkygibbon.. umm..
RichardR..
the quest continues..
Cheers
Matt
>> Edited by M@H on Wednesday 26th May 07:29
much the same as I'd expected so I'll have a hunt around the scrappies for another one.. sadly we're a fair way apart so thanks for the offer of the meter, but I'll have to pass... is that the Haynes Manual you talk of..? There are a few electrical checks in the bible too IIRC.. can I use either the Capri or the Sierra 4X4 Warm-up reg (I'm guessing there were no year specific changes on the 2.8.?) Johno, Hi mate..
I'll have a look, although there's definitely some vacuum getting through as if i disconnect the hose off the Warm up regulator it will barely run at all. tvrgaas, unlikely as it hasnt really got an ECU.
Wonkygibbon.. umm..
RichardR..
the quest continues..
Cheers
Matt
>> Edited by M@H on Wednesday 26th May 07:29
'ford capri 2.8 injection
supplement to ford capri '74 onwards workshop manual'
(bit of a mouthful, that.)
ISBN 1 85520 202 6
its a ford manual not a haynes-book-of-lies
got mine from dillons off the shelf a few years ago! used to have 2.8 capri too, got s1 now.
printed by brooklands books...
supplement to ford capri '74 onwards workshop manual'
(bit of a mouthful, that.)
ISBN 1 85520 202 6
its a ford manual not a haynes-book-of-lies
got mine from dillons off the shelf a few years ago! used to have 2.8 capri too, got s1 now.
printed by brooklands books...
tvrgaas said:
M@H said:
tvrgaas, unlikely as it hasnt really got an ECU.
Okay the grey electonic ignition amplifier thingy, mounted on the nearside wheel arch where it gets nice and dirty.
Aaahh...my apologies for the slightly sarcastic response there then... Many thanks
>> Edited by M@H on Sunday 30th May 18:30
I know of a ford Capri 2.8i for sale (could be a take it away for free job) still runs but has been sat up for a year or so in a pub car park, the owners of the pub are car nuts both women one drives a Mustang and the other drives a plymouth.
The pub is the Red lion at Long compton on the A3400 south of Stratford upon Avon (not to far from the drag strip).
The pub is the Red lion at Long compton on the A3400 south of Stratford upon Avon (not to far from the drag strip).
M@H said:
OK so where can I get a Bosch Warm Up regulator from..? the local scrappies are a dead loss... any ideas chaps..?
Cheers
Matt.
try this link
...bugger 
...its not the Warm up regulator, I fitted a new one last night and although it seems marginally better (or its optimistic imagination) its still far from right. It will not idle at all, won't even really run under 1500 rpm, and if you hold the car at say 1800 rpm with the throttle, after a few moments the revs just begin to drop away, the engine gets very lumpy and it stalls itself within a matter of seconds.
What to try now...
Cheers,
Matt.
...its not the Warm up regulator, I fitted a new one last night and although it seems marginally better (or its optimistic imagination) its still far from right. It will not idle at all, won't even really run under 1500 rpm, and if you hold the car at say 1800 rpm with the throttle, after a few moments the revs just begin to drop away, the engine gets very lumpy and it stalls itself within a matter of seconds.
What to try now...
Cheers,
Matt.
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