fiesta 1.1 starting and running problems

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Wed 26 May 2004 23:38
fiesta 1.1 starting and running problems - fiestaman
Hello everyone,
After my last inquiry about the heavy steering it turned out to be a universal ball join, so it's all fixed. However, nothing is ever that simple, and it's now started doing something new.
It starts, then almost immediately stalls. With careful balancing of the accelerator (and a few stalls later) it can be pursuaded to keep going, and once it gets warm it stops stalling.
I've tried new HT leads and sparks. I think it might be the temperature sensors, if I check their resistance with a multimeter what should they read? Someone suggested cleaning the breathing tubes, how would I do that?
Thanks everyone for your continuing help! If only ford made better cars.....
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Wed 26 May 2004 23:46
fiesta 1.1 starting and running problems - fiestaman
Sorry, forgot to add that it's a 1.1 mk3 L reg fiesta.
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Thu 27 May 2004 10:23
fiesta 1.1 starting and running problems - madf
simple things first.
The engine is prone to blocking up the rubber tubes leading from the engine rocker cover to the air filter. Remove them and the air filter, clean out the tubes if blocked (porbably with a black /white oily mess. Paraffin is good: do not use petrol.

The air filter should not be blocked. Is it?

Has the engine oil and filter been change din the past 5,000 miles. If not do so.

Check the spark plugs: the gap and colour. Borrow a Haynes manual from your library or buy secondhand on ebay or new.. only about £15 or less.

Whne all that is OK, do you do lots of short runs, or long runs...?

madf


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Thu 27 May 2004 10:47
fiesta 1.1 starting and running problems - mfarrow
When I bought my '89 Escort the breather tube wasn't just blocked, it was warped and kinked so much that it was barely a tube! An extreme case I think, haven't seen the same on other HCS engines I've looked at. If yours is the same though, I'd replace it, though Ford prices are silly (£6+ IIRC).
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Fri 28 May 2004 12:16
fiesta 1.1 starting and running problems - fiestaman
How do you remove the rubber tubes? Sorry, I know it sounds like a stupid question, but they are VERY rusted on. Are there any tricks? I will have another go tommorow.

The air filter was clear when I last checked but I'll have another look, and I will check the spark plugs. I have changed the oil recently, but my oil use is very high - like 1/2 litre per 500 miles. Is that normal?

I mainly do medium length runs, and a few long runs. I think the engine normally gets warmed up though!

Thank you so much for all your help,
Sam
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Fri 28 May 2004 16:12
fiesta 1.1 starting and running problems - mfarrow
Hi

The tube you should be pulling at is the one that goes from the oil filler cap to under the air filter housing. It is roughly 2-3cm diamter, black, and almost u-shaped. I don't know which tube you're pulling, but it shouldn't be rusted on, both ends go into plastic.

At each end of the tube is a red(?) clip. You shouln't need to remove these though. It may help though.

You might experience difficultly also if the tube has never been off it's dry joint, I put a little oil on the recepticles to make it easier to remove next time.

Hope this helps!
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Sat 29 May 2004 16:28
fiesta 1.1 starting and running problems - fiestaman
Result! I took the tube off and cleaned it out, and also cleaned the oil filler cap. The latter was really blocked up. Also had a wipe round the air filter housing. Tried the car and it started with no problems, for the first time in weeks!

There was quite a lot of oil at the top of the carb however, and the little light coloured plastic thing in the middle is quite burnt. Is that bad? What should be done about it?

Thanks,
Sam
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