2.3petrol Intermit Rough Idle Fault

[Sim]

I have an intermitent fault with my 2.3 petrol 1998. in traffic the temp rises to just over half way and on tickover it nearly dies runs rough( like overfuelling as if on choke) then clears itself. I have removed the water bottle cap when the temp gauge is just over half way and the water does'nt come out as if overheating but i can see the water is circulating, the fans are running at half speed. If i put a/c on and the interior fan switch on position 4 the engine fans run at full speed and then the car ticks over ok and the temp gauge drops to about a quarter of the way up which is normal.

Has anyone had this problem????? and what was it???

I have changed the engine control temp sensor but it is still doing it.

It only happens now and then but it's a real pain, once it stalled completely and was hard to start ie flooded.

Please can anyone help???

Many thanks

[Sim]

I have now cleaned the idle control valve. It did'nt look that dirty but washed with carb cleaner and moved the valve inside up and down.

Refited and made sure it saeted flat on rubber seal. Had car running for over an hour. The fans cut in and out at half and full speed and the engine has always returned to a steady idle after reving it up.

I still have to road test it but it seems to be better already.

Just thought some people would like to knw what was happening.

[Guest neil_wiles]

Sim

 

 

 

It would be better to post a reply to your own post rather than start a new topic if you have anything extra to add.

 

 

Glad its improved if it dosent then check out your temperature sending sensor as there are two in the Gal and the Air Con overides the temp and runs the cooling fan at max so it may be a fault temperature sensor.

 

 

 

N

[Sim]

Thanks for reply.

I am new on here and dont know how to add to my own post yet, any guidance would be welcome.

Where would i find the sensor for the air con. Is the the one above the n/s front headlamp, under the relay????

Thank you

Simon

[Galaxy-guy]

SIM,

 

I can totally relate to your hot engine stalling problem. I have a '98 2.3 and in the summer when the engine temp gets to the high end of NORM it will start to run rough and stall. I try to keep it going with my foot on the gas until it "clears itself out."

 

I replaced the idle control valve two years ago (uncontrollable idle problem) and maybe it's time to check how clean it is.

 

Just wanted to know if you also found any faults or replaced any of the temp sensors?

 

Did you end up with a satisfactory solution?

 

Thanks!

[jvernon]

the Air Con overides the temp and runs the cooling fan at max

 

You sure about that Neil? I thought the aircon automatically makes the fan's kick in at half speed but only when the temperature is above normal do they come in at full-speed?

 

I would guess that this is more of an Idle Control Valve problem than a temperature sensor merely because the fault clears itself if you can keep the engine running long enough using the accelerator so perhaps like you say Galaxy-guy, time to give it a clean.

 

Regards,

James

[mumble_bee]

hmmm

I've not experienced the rough idle, (on the 2.3 1999)

but I have noticed my water temp go just over half way, still well within the NORM bit, but I'm uneasy about that..

now the car can sit there for over an hour and not go into red, it just climbs, then the fans kick in and it comes down, and maybe 5 mins later it climbs again and the fans kick in and it comes down, water levels are good, oil is clear, havent had a problem, its just niggling at me... cause I expect something to happen.. ( this behaviour is with or without aircon on)

 

 

edit: oops sorry if I brought back a 3month old topic

Edited February 27, 2007 by mumble_bee

[Vince]

Check the speed limiting resistors for the radiator fans. If they go open circuit the fans don't run until they get to full speed. I chased this fault for a couple of years, garages could not work it out, I had to.

 

They look like clay pipes 100mm long with a heat shield and wires going to them, mine were located close to the bottom corner of the radiator on the kerb side. They should read as a short circuit between any of the connections, so disconnect them from the car and test for continuity.

 

Vince.