Club 80-90 Forums

Hi.
My 2.1dj. has been running fine, although tick-over was alittle high 1000rpm but no other issues, until last week.
Engine has had a full service about 6 months/2000miles ago (although didn't change air-filter).
Started having trouble starting, then running alittle lumpy. Lots of black (unburnt fuel?) smoke. Drove it the other night and tick-over revs went up to 3000rpm, for 20 minute drive. Alittle while later, started it, revs where 1000rpm again.
Do you think something simple or ECU ish?
Oil & water levels good.
Raining here this morning but first thoughts are to check timing & plugs, could it be blocked air-filter?

Ideas welcome.

Hi Chaps. As Tech help seems so quiet lately (what do you put engine problems under????) thought I might try my luck here.............

My 2.1dj. has been running fine, although tick-over was alittle high 1000rpm but no other issues, until last week.
Engine has had a full service about 6 months/2000miles ago (although didn't change air-filter).
Started having trouble starting, then running alittle lumpy. Lots of black (unburnt fuel?) smoke. Drove it the other night and tick-over revs went up to 3000rpm, for 20 minute drive. Alittle while later, started it, revs where 1000rpm again.
Do you think something simple or ECU ish?
Oil & water levels good.
Raining here this morning but first thoughts are to check timing & plugs, could it be blocked air-filter?

Update. Won't start when hot.

Make sure the throttle arm is returning fully, the spring might have gone slack. If so pop a cable tie over a couple of the coils to give it enough strength to pull the arm back full to get you out of trouble.

jed

Had similar symptoms on mine - that turned out to be a broken wire in the temperature sender to the ECU. Back left hand side of the engine bay, two wire plug. Can take photos later to help identify.

Jeremy.

Hi Karl,
Since it won't start when hot - then do as Jermey say and check that Temp2 sensor (resistance per temp in Bentley). Do you have a spare? When mine was fracked, it wouldn't start when cold.

I don't think the Throttle body would give you an non start when hot.
cheers,
Rich

could try connecting the idle stabiliser plugs together on the left hand side wall of the engine bay (to bypass it)- see if it effects the high tickover. think you can run it like that too without harm -although someone who knows more about this might have better advice on that..

sticky accelerator cable ?
black smoke is unburnt fuel so possibly fuel pressure regulator or it's vacuum supply, which could also affect timing as carb shares it, try reaming the spigot on the plenum with a small screwdriver

It's the Temp (T2) sender in the thermostat housing or the wiring to it.... pretty similar symptons take me back about 7 years (ish)

Hi Chaps.
Thanks for all replies/advice.
Black smoke was abit of a red-herring (wifes evidence )
Mechanic mate, had alook. Air leak was his thoughts. Changed all old air/vacum pipes. No difference.
Turned out throttle body wasn't sitting right on manifold, too longer bolts were being used and they were hitting manifold before being fully tight/snug.
All alot better now. Popped into garage to check emission levels, was running alittle rich so may even save myself a few pennies a week!!!

Thanks again.

Just been having exactly the same issues with my 2.1 DJ. Now it's currently stranded down at the local Sainsburys carpark. Uh-oh...

Gonna take all the advice given here, cycle back down to the van with a bicycle-load of tools, and try to get it going. Hopefully once it's cooled down it'll start ok and I can ease it back home.

If not... expect an urgent SOS post on this forum soon.