escort estate 1.8si excessive fuel, revs sticking ?

[escotty1976]

new to this forum so please bare with me.

I have got a escort estate R reg 1.8si 16v, i have just done a shed load of work to the car, replaced front and back brakes, complete service , air filter, oil filter, fuel filter, spark plugs, new exhaust etc.

It flew through the MOT today with not a single advisory note, which i am taking as a compliment to the work i have put in.

The problem i am having is, i have very high fuel consumption, put in £10 today, have not even got to 40 miles and i am going to need to put more in.

To go with the excessve fuel consumption, the revs stick occasionally at about 2000rpm then with a tap on the throttle drop to around 700 rpm and runs a bit lumpy, to add to that the temp gauge is up and down, never above half way and just seems to go up and down as it please's.

I have a feeling after a bit of research that this could be down to a couple of things, either the choke is sticking which causes the revs and high fuel comsumption, but because of the temp thing, i am thinking some kind of coolant temp sensor fault which is causing the ECU to tell the engine its cold when it hot so dumps a whole load of extra fuel into the engine.

i really am at a loss and any help for a first timer would be great.

[mintalkin]

try cleaning the air temp sensor these are known to give problems, also you could clean the maf with carb cleaner,

[escotty1976]

try cleaning the air temp sensor these are known to give problems, also you could clean the maf with carb cleaner,

thanks i will try both of those tomorrow and let you know the results.

i also heard about resetting the ECU , fairly easy job to do, but was told this is only needed after a air filter upgrade etc.

i have a standard air filter that was changed recently due to the fact that the previous owner just ran the car from 1 MOT to the next with no work inbetween, so you can imagine, pretty dirty, wandered if that helps in diagnosing problems.

thanks

[escotty1976]

Having issues with locating the following

Mass Air Flow Sensor

Air Temp Sensor

Coolant Temp Sensor

I am using a haynes manual, but it only describes how to do a job, not how to locate the parts.

Daft question, Does anyone know if my car has an ECU ?

Is it worth taking the car for a diognostic check or are these really expensive ?

thanks.

[vinnyvangough]

Diagnostic test vary in price, anywhere from £35 - £100 up wards again.

Yes your car has an ECU, it is located under the carpet at the front of the passenger footwell.

Another possible cause for your "random" revs is the ICV (idle control valve) is dirty and will need cleaning.

Fuel consumption is a little low but i only manage to get around 50 - 60 miles out of £10 in my 1.8 16v so with your car being a little heavier it will suffer slightly more.

[escotty1976]

Diagnostic test vary in price, anywhere from £35 - £100 up wards again.

Yes your car has an ECU, it is located under the carpet at the front of the passenger footwell.

Another possible cause for your "random" revs is the ICV (idle control valve) is dirty and will need cleaning.

Fuel consumption is a little low but i only manage to get around 50 - 60 miles out of £10 in my 1.8 16v so with your car being a little heavier it will suffer slightly more.

Hi and thanks for the reply.

if it was only the revs i would tend to agree about the ICV but with the other issues mentioned i am swaying towards other problems.

As for the fuel consumption, 50 - 60 miles from £10 worth of fuel in a 1.8 16v is poor, i know this because i have previously owned a 2nd 1.8 16v escort estate and a BMW 318 1.8i with air induction kit, both of which even when driven hard i would expect a minimum of 60 - 70 miles for my money, but i guess you need to take into consideration short journeys, motorway driving etc .

[vinnyvangough]

I always think i should be getting over 100 miles to a tenner, but then i forget i am older now and fuel has gone from 70p a litre to £1.07.

It really effects your range on £10 worth of fuel.

[escotty1976]

I always think i should be getting over 100 miles to a tenner, but then i forget i am older now and fuel has gone from 70p a litre to £1.07.

It really effects your range on £10 worth of fuel.

I am of the same thinking, first thing my dad taught me when i learnt to drive was £10 will get you 100 miles then put more in, i have stuck by this for the last 15 years, needless to say i have run out of fuel many times ........

I have to admit i have only just learnt the book MPG, 34 for my estate, so for a tenner you get a little over 2 gallons ( 4.5 litres per gallon ) which if driven like a nun i guess i could stretch 65-70 for my money , so with my car in need of some sensor overhauls i guess 40 odd miles for £10 is not far under what i am realisticly going to get, especially loaded up with kids, camping equipment etc

now where did i put that old chip fat, stick that im my tank see how she goes.