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Bulletin Board - Message
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Erratic idle and stalling |
Had the RV8 out for its first long drive today and love it.....until the idle starting falling off at stoplights and then stalled completely. Couldn't restart it until a few minutes had passed and then ran fine. It started doing the same thing again a while later but I managed to get it home.
Ideas on what may be causing this? Looking through the workshop manual, the only reference to an erratic idle is with a failed road speed transducer. There was nothing obviously wrong with the car prior to the idle issue and stalling. Thoughts and ideas are always apprectiated. Cheers, |
| Simon Austin |
| 03 February 2010 @ 00:33 |
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topic: RV8 |
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Reply(ies) received for this Message
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Erratic idle and stalling |
| Sounds to me like a problem with a lambda sensor. I'd suggest that the car needs hooking up to a fault code reader. |
| Chris Bone |
| 03 February 2010 @ 06:33 |
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Erratic idle and stalling |
| Try cleaning the stepper motor. Also, empty the contents of a good fuel injector cleaner into the tank. It may well make a difference. |
| Terry Starkey |
| 03 February 2010 @ 09:05 |
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Erratic idle and stalling |
You can read a copy of an RV8NOTE on cleaning the stepper motor at:
http://www.v8register.net/subpages/RV8NOTE283.htm
With queries like this it is worth using the search tips via the link at the top of the V8BB webpage. You can also download a free copy of the detailed Index to the RV8NOTES series and browse the whole RV8NOTES series at:
http://www.v8register.net/subpages/RV8notesindex3.htm
http://www.v8register.net/subpages/RV8det.htm |
| Victor Smith |
| 03 February 2010 @ 09:31 |
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Erratic idle and stalling |
| Good ideas, guys. Thanks! I should have looked in the archives prior to posting the the message but did so afterwards. Found some good info there as well. Unfortunatley, as it's the only RV8 in Western Canada, finding a code reader may be a problem. I may get lucky and find a Land Rover centre that could do it. |
| Simon Austin |
| 03 February 2010 @ 16:25 |
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Erratic idle and stalling |
Simon
I cured the 'failing to idle' by always turning the ignition on and waiting a several seconds before operating the starter. Yours could be another problem however as whilst my car stalled on idle, it would always restart. |
| Rob Collier |
| 03 February 2010 @ 17:22 |
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Erratic idle and stalling |
| Stepper motor is probably the cause of erratic idle but have found with many recent imports that clogged fuel filters and rusted fuel tanks are becoming a common problem in Japanese RV8s. Check the small pre filter tucked up behind the RHR wheel for blockages. Best to replace both filters anyway. If the small filter is choked when cut in half it's time to look in the tank and you will find a nightmare that only removal and chemical cleaning will resolve. I am not sure if they are using ethanol blends in Japan but the petrol smells very different and plays havoc with petrol tanks. |
| Stuart Ratcliff |
| 03 February 2010 @ 19:33 |
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Erratic idle and stalling |
| Thanks again for the tips, guys. Funny you should mention the filters, Stuart, as I was talking to my local Rover specialist and she thought perhaps filters as well. I'll do some investigating, have a look at the transducer and report back. Cheers, |
| Simon Austin |
| 04 February 2010 @ 03:08 |
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Erratic idle and stalling |
Hi Simon,
As well as all the above (a dirty stepper motor will quickly affect the idling but won't usually cause a complete stall), a dodgy fuel pump can intermittently stop and start; I've had this myself soon after buying the car. The pump is susceptible to damage from dirt getting through a clogged pre-pump filter. Listen out for the pump buzz (or lack of it!) when it next happens. When replacing the small plastic universal-type pre-pump filter, make sure you fit one which has the larger diameter inlet/outlet, 6 to 8mm I think it is, not the normal 4mm. The pump needs the extra flow rate. It may also be worthwhile to reset the base idle speed after you've cleaned the stepper motor. Instructions are in the Repair Manual, which I know you have. |
| Stuart Middlemiss |
| 04 February 2010 @ 10:19 |
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Erratic idle and stalling |
Simon and co correspondents
Could we please keep this issue "open" up to (hopefully) what will be a definitive diagnosis?
I have the same symptoms.
I have, so far:
-cleaned the stepper motor
-removed and cleaned contacts on the ignition module
-put a dose of injector cleaner into the tank
-changed petrol station and begun using Shell Optimax exclusively
-checked all the wiring connections from fuel pump to coil etc etc.
What I have not done so far is change any hardware, but I have considered a new coil, new ignition module, new whatever......and where would I stop?
I have located a local (Nottinghamshire)garage with the Rover Testbook equipment. I will take my RV8 in and get it hooked-up in the hope they can track down this intermittent irritation.
If so, I will post the outcome on here for future generations of RV8 enthusiasts.
Best wishes all |
| Eric Barr |
| 04 February 2010 @ 15:42 |
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Erratic idle and stalling |
| This subject was also covered here last year, instigated when I had the same trouble in the summer just after MGLive. I fitted a new stepper which made no difference, had the car checked on analyser which found no faults! Tried the "wait 20 secs between ignition on and starter" trick and have only had an occasional stall since, so that seems to be the answer in my case! |
| Peter M Kuruber |
| 05 February 2010 @ 15:58 |
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Erratic idle and stalling |
| You guys are great. I'll do some searching in the archives, Peter, and see if your thread is still there. I've picked up new fuel filters to get started on the car this weekend and will let you know what I find in them. Before I remove the stepper for cleaning, is it absolutly necessary to use a new gasket / seal along with teflon tape? Not sure if I'll be able to get a new one here in Canada. Unless it's a fairly common part . . . |
| Simon Austin |
| 06 February 2010 @ 02:57 |
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Erratic idle and stalling |
Simon
Regarding the washer/gasket on the stepper motor . . . Having seen previous references on this very same bulletin board, I used a rubber washer originally intended for use on a bath tap, and trimmed the excess material from around the circumferance. I also applied a squeeze of thread sealant to the fitting before refixing. (Removing the stepper necessitated use of a heavy adjustable plumber's wrench - presumably because sealant had also been used originally.) By the way, I will adjust the base idle setting as suggested, because I did not do so after refixing the stepper motor. Good Luck, |
| Eric Barr |
| 06 February 2010 @ 08:42 |
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Erratic idle and stalling |
Update: pulled the stepper motor today and you guys should see the carbon build-up on it! If I could post a photo, I'd let you see it.
Will get it cleaned, take care of the other issues,tune-up and update then. |
| Simon Austin |
| 13 February 2010 @ 07:49 |
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Erratic idle and stalling |
Simon,
Just a brief response to say any contributions to the either the RV8NOTES series or photographs to illustrate areas of interest for fellow members will be very welcome. They can be sent to me so they can be either added to the RV8NOTES series or published on the V8 website as a good quality image in a PDF document with a compact file size. I have sent you a twin column A4 landscape page template in Word format. |
| Victor Smith |
| 13 February 2010 @ 10:49 |
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