Hi again SCN... terrible MPG and cutting out.

[MomoMK2]

Yo guys, havent been here in a while so hello again SCN!

Ive just started a new job today thats about 25 miles from york where i live, so had to get the old beefa back up and running.

its doing my head in though (-as per)... just got it MOT'd a couple of weeks back, surprisingly didnt need much doing apart from new gasket cover - thought this should improve my economy.

but now its cutting out unless i keep my foot on the gas for the first 5-10 minutes or not even starting at all, (had to jump it the other night, then it still kept wanting to cut out).

also i worked out that my journeys to and from my new job today worked out at 22.5mpg!!

really getting me down as financially im screwed and cant afford repairs or to swap to something better at the moment, this job was supposed to be my saving grace but after calculations i worked out i might as well be on the same salary after all the petrol i'll be putting in to get myself there. (and no, moving house is not an option - as i said i'm screwed!!)

sorry if this post is terrible to read, i hope you can follow it...

not a happy bunny at the mo. m0rk or someone throw us some hints/ideas!!

 

[crezz]

has it been sat up for long? general service wont go a miss if thats the case,

 

[CraigW]

That isnt good, I have a 20mile trip to work and 20 mile trip back and when I worked it out last i was getting around 42mpg. Thats a 1.4 with nearly 130k on the clock. Think I mite get alittle more as the temperature is starting to go up abit.

As Crezz says a general service and filter change etc should help. Maybe worth changing the fuel filter aswell?

 

[Cupra Kid]

Fluctuating revs, wanting to stall and poor fuel economy............... sounds like the throttle body needs cleaning!

 

[MomoMK2]

thanks for replies, how would i go about cleaning the throttle body? if it is down to that does this mean it is seriously dirty/caked in ****? so i will hopefully solve both problems if i clean it?

im honestly worried about having transport for my 2nd day of my first proper job!!

 

[Cupra Kid]

Get a can of carb cleaner, remove the air filter cover. Throttle body is the round valve in the middle.

Totally soak it in carb cleaner and gently remove as much as you can with an old cloth, after that fire the car up and shoot it through the throttle body as the engine runs. Its the cheapest solution to your prolblem so far at a fiver for a can, hopefully it will sort it.

 

[MomoMK2]

thanks very much CupraKid. dug out my haynes n going to spend the weekend giving it a go over in an attempt to stop it guzzling so much!

1 question to get me going in the right direction... aside from giving the throttle body a good clean could you give me 2/3 other -fairly straight forward- jobs to get done in the aim for better economy?

ive got halfords and a euro autoparts vag shop at my disposal for bits, and a haynes manual at my disposal for mechanic skills (eek)....


thanks man....

 

[Cupra Kid]

Well a free check while you've got it all apart is to check all the hoses, especially the vacume hoses that lead between the throttle body, the charcoal canister and engine.

Check the air filter as you'll have to remove it to get to the throttle body, and if you can get to the spark plugs give them a check and replace or wire brush them as necesscary. Check the inside of distributor cap for dirt and signs of wear also, but make double sure you put everything back exactly how it was or your going to have running problems. Sometimes helps to make a mark on the dizzy casing and engine to line them back up.

After that the last thing thats going to affect running is the lamda sensor in the exhaust, but thats expensive so hopefully you'll have it solved long before you get there.

 

[MomoMK2]

thanks alot man! awesome advice. have got a mechanic friend to hand if all else fails! thanks again.