Help reqd with car problem

[DaveB]

Did a bit of digging and asked a mechanical engineer friend. Came up with this list.

If you have a carburetor, you may have a bad fuel pump or a clogged up carburettor: Service the pump and carburetor. Boarderline DIY.

There may be a vacuum leak: Check and replace vacuum lines as required. Boarderline DIY.

The fuel pressure regulator may be operating at too low a pressure: Check fuel pressure with a fuel pressure gauge. Replace fuel pressure regulator. Generally not a DIY job

Idle speed set incorrectly: Set idle speed to specs. DIY.

There may be some type of ignition problem: Check and replace distributor cap, rotor, ignition wires and spark plugs. DIY.

There may be a fault in the engine management system: Check with a scan tool. Test circuits and repair or replace components as required. Not a DIY job

The Exhaust Gas recirculation valve may be bad: Replace it. DIY depending on location and type.

The engine may have mechanical problems: Check compression to determine engine condition. DIY with the right tools.

The fuel injectors may be dirty: Clean or replace fuel injectors. Boardeline DIY.

[Troll]

My twopenneth worth....

Your carb will have 2 jets- one for idling and one for motoring- It may be your idle jet is blocked

[DimPrawn]

Carbs? We're not living in the 1980's you know.

[malvolio]

Thanks, it would be nice if the solution was as simple as changing the plug leads but the problem you describe seems contradictory to mine. Mine starts fine when hot or cold but just will not idle when started from hot. The revs just drop to 0 and the engine cuts out. However, sounds like a quick and cheap job that EVEN I could do myself to see if it has any effect.

Do it. The EMS will boost the power through the ignition to start the engine, then drop back to normal as the engine warms up. When you restart ater 10-15 mnutes, the engine is still warm so you get the start boost then it drops back immediately. After an hour, the engine has cooled down so you get the extended uplift and the engine runs. Once everything is warm, it will run anyway. That does explain the symptoms

Golden rule of mechanics - do the simple thing first, then look for complexity.

BTW - if it works, that's £120 an hour please

[Troll]

Carbs? We're not living in the 1980's you know.

bugger...626 1.8 is injected... I will diminish and go to the East.... just trying to help

Humph!!

[Fleetwood]

The fuel injectors may be dirty: Clean or replace fuel injectors. Boardeline DIY.

borderline

[maverick]

Thanks, it would be nice if the solution was as simple as changing the plug leads but the problem you describe seems contradictory to mine. Mine starts fine when hot or cold but just will not idle when started from hot. The revs just drop to 0 and the engine cuts out. However, sounds like a quick and cheap job that EVEN I could do myself to see if it has any effect.

Sounds like a dirty carburettor. Do you run the fuel down to red line before filing it up again. If so you may have picked up crap from the bottom of the petrol tank. My car (not a Mazda) does the same thing. Had my man clean the carburettor out and it ran fine again until I ranthe tank nearly empty again.

[DimPrawn]

How quaint. People driving around in cars with carburettors. Does it have a manual choke and split screen windshield? What about a starting handle?

[maverick]

No but I do have an opening for a man to walk in front of the car with a red flag.

[sparklelard]

Did a bit of digging and asked a mechanical engineer friend. Came up with this list.

If you have a carburetor, you may have a bad fuel pump or a clogged up carburettor: Service the pump and carburetor. Boarderline DIY.

There may be a vacuum leak: Check and replace vacuum lines as required. Boarderline DIY.

The fuel pressure regulator may be operating at too low a pressure: Check fuel pressure with a fuel pressure gauge. Replace fuel pressure regulator. Generally not a DIY job

Idle speed set incorrectly: Set idle speed to specs. DIY.

There may be some type of ignition problem: Check and replace distributor cap, rotor, ignition wires and spark plugs. DIY.

There may be a fault in the engine management system: Check with a scan tool. Test circuits and repair or replace components as required. Not a DIY job

The Exhaust Gas recirculation valve may be bad: Replace it. DIY depending on location and type.

The engine may have mechanical problems: Check compression to determine engine condition. DIY with the right tools.

The fuel injectors may be dirty: Clean or replace fuel injectors. Boardeline DIY.

My guess is the idler. When cold, the automatic choke cuts in. When the engine is warm enough only the pressure on the accellerator is keeping up your revs.