Throttle bodies again

[diver]

I've read a lot of the previous posts on the throttle body problems but still have a question someone might be able to help with me?

I've started to get the uneven running everybody describes on a constant throttle, but it came on really suddenly. One day it was fine, the next day after a 70 mile blast in the mountains it'd become all uneven and hiccuppy.

Is this how it normally happens or does it usually appear gradually, in which case perhaps I should I looking for another cause for the problem?

[J_S_G]

Sounds like it could be that problem, but could also be a fuelling map type thingy-bob. I had LOUSY cold idle/running - really shocking - for a couple of months, and couldn't track it down at all. Then I accidentally flattened the battery one week, and after all the usual LEDs/alarms going off/resetting when I jump-started it, the problem vanished, and hasn't returned since.

[diver]

This happens when it's cold and when it's hot, and at all sorts of engine revs, it's only really happy when it's accelerating or braking (fine on a race track but not so good on a motorway)?

[J_S_G]

Take it to a garage. Sounds like the throttle body problem to me.

[bigphil]

If you do a lot of short trips the plugs can also foul very quickly, found this to be a problem on mine, changed the plugs and all back to normal.
Mines a 2000 car with 26k on the clock and the throttle bodies are still fine.

[basil brush]

Mine has done this a couple of times for varying periods and then cleared itself. The first time it happened was after running the fuel very low so not sure if it's as simple as crap from bottom of tank. TMS had a look at time but couldn't find anything then one day it popped and nearly cut out, but was fine again after.

[diver]

Thanks guys.

Hmmm. Seems like I've got a whole world of potential problems here... I generally only do 8 miles a day to work and back, I've got a 2002 car with 26,000 miles on the clock, and I regularly run the tank so low that that I can't stand the buzzer any more.

I'm on my third tank of fuel since the problem developed so it's probably not that one.

The biggest problem is that the nearest garage (or TVR garage) is 1,400 miles away (£450 on a transporter, each way). It's got to come back for a service in June anyway, so I guess I'll just have to see how things progress before then, I hope it's okay for the TVR track day in Guadix next month. Watch this space...

[basil brush]

The first time it happened on mine it lasted for over a month.

[diver]

Oh, maybe a thrash round a track is just what it needs to help hurry things along then?

I'll try to be more timely about fill-ups from now on and see if that cures it, (but every time I go for a blast I use a whole tank of fuel and I'm a little nervous about using petrol stations in the middle of nowhere in Spain, not because of "deliverance" reasons, I'm just concerned that they don't have much turnover and the fuel might be old/contaminated).

>> Edited by diver on Wednesday 23 March 23:36

[J_S_G]

Given your circumstances, I'd take it out and give it the thrashing of its life - just to be sure. I'd also consider unplugging all the black boxes for a bit to clear any settings possible (or just flatten the battery as I did!)

If you're even remotely handy with a set of spanners, it's quite easy to figure out if the throttle bodies are to blame... You can take the main bonnet off, and get some really thick grease to put around the bodies. If they're worn, that'll fix it temporarily (we're talking about under a minutes worth of "fixing" probably, until the grease gets sucked through and the problem returns). If the thought of that scares you at all - don't bother.

[s2art]

I had the problem and tried some silicone spray lubricant. Worked fine for more than 6000 miles now.

[J_S_G]

s2art said:

I had the problem and tried some silicone spray lubricant. Worked fine for more than 6000 miles now.

Was that stuff that hardens, or just liquid-like? If it doesn't harden (and plug the gaps), I can't see how that'd work for throttle body wear?

[T88CAN]

s2art said:

I had the problem and tried some silicone spray lubricant. Worked fine for more than 6000 miles now.

Yep same here mine lasted about 4k, needs doing again, or bite the bullet and get it done properly, i`m not sure whether it`s a dealer job yet or back to the seaside

[diver]

This might sound like a stupid question, but not being very mechanically minded, where are the throttle bodies and where did you spray the lubricant?

[jasonhill]

Sounds to me like throttle pots - just had mine swapped out by Silverstone and it cured the worst of the problem. Still a slight hesitation at light throttle but that is likely to be throttle body wear. Mine's got 31K on it so about the right time I expect. The throttle pots fail either due to excessive heat (they're only meant for a Ford) but can also be worn as the throttle bodies wear. Or so I'm told....

>> Edited by jasonhill on Thursday 24th March 16:53

[J_S_G]

T88CAN said:

s2art said: I had the problem and tried some silicone spray lubricant. Worked fine for more than 6000 miles now. Yep same here mine lasted about 4k, needs doing again, or bite the bullet and get it done properly, i`m not sure whether it`s a dealer job yet or back to the seaside

Dealer if they're handy with a set of spanners.

[T88CAN]

J_S_G said:

T88CAN said: s2art said: I had the problem and tried some silicone spray lubricant. Worked fine for more than 6000 miles now. Yep same here mine lasted about 4k, needs doing again, or bite the bullet and get it done properly, i`m not sure whether it`s a dealer job yet or back to the seaside Dealer if they're handy with a set of spanners.

I reckon they will have to drill out the orginals? and then over bush them? if you know what i`m saying Did you get yours matched? IIRC the spindles are stainless and the bodies alloy or vica versa? I only have one worn body so i`m quite fortunate, i wouldn`t like to live with a car thats got 2 or 3 worn

[J_S_G]

T88CAN said:

J_S_G said: Dealer if they're handy with a set of spanners. I reckon they will have to drill out the orginals? and then over bush them? if you know what i`m saying Did you get yours matched? IIRC the spindles are stainless and the bodies alloy or vica versa? I only have one worn body so i`m quite fortunate, i wouldn`t like to live with a car thats got 2 or 3 worn

Well, if your dealer's a proper garage, then they should be able to, I'd have thought? SFR took care of mine without too much trouble - definitely without them going back to the factory.

Bush them? You must be kidding, that's FAR too sensible... after-market mods if you want them doing how the rest of the world would design them.

(Edited to add: unless they've finally got round to changing the design)

>> Edited by J_S_G on Thursday 24th March 17:11

[s2art]

J_S_G said:

s2art said: I had the problem and tried some silicone spray lubricant. Worked fine for more than 6000 miles now. Was that stuff that hardens, or just liquid-like? If it doesn't harden (and plug the gaps), I can't see how that'd work for throttle body wear?

Actually I dont know, liquid like I think but I guess quite heavy once the solvent/carrier evaporates. Essentially a thick silicone grease. Took a lot of spraying and throttle pumping before it penetrated.