Mmm. thought you might like to share a workshop incident that beggers belief.

 

Zed came in running..well rough and very unsettled, quick word with owner confirms a newish owner (3 months) not too mechanical minded but basically aware of how an engine works.

 

Usual visual checks, nothing, engine ticking over (1100rpm?) fully warmed up and sounding odd, not smooth almost smoothered, gasping, any attempt to change throttle position resulted in either cut out or a severe stumble.

 

Connected conzult all parameters showing in range (concidering high tick over) except air ratio too high..... rich? actually no, the 02 sensors were spot on and the Co2 readings actually low?

 

At this point asked more about how the problem occured, was since having a problem starting and the AA were called out ..gulp!

 

On a suspicion of poor starting I removed the center panel to look at the air filters and to my amazement found no filter housing!! just the afm flotting on the end of the intake pipework with a large section of the mesh intake end covered in large debris...!

 

 

The owner had the top of the air box in his boot! the upshot was that due to poor starting the guy had removed the assembly in order to make it easier to squirt easy start in to the intake !

 

A quick look at the filters confirmed they were blocked, a look around the engine also confirmed low and black engine oil, all three ancillery belts knackered,low brake fluid, non standard old fuel filter, rear brake pads on the metal backing, front pads nearly on backing , front tension rod bushes shot...on and on.

 

Sorted out the afm, cleaned tb`s, adjusted tickover and topped the fluids (tempory) and engine sprank in to life with a steady purr, accelerator response now much better.

 

When I showed the owner he was to be fair shocked and immediately booked the zed in for a full sort out next week.

 

I have said this before but the failing of these engines is to run in even poor state of tune, giving non mech minded owners a false sense of security.

 

Know this been a bit long winded but it does illustrate a common problem of a little knowledge been worse than non sometimes,

oh and incidentally the car was bought from a dealer in.......Birmingham......nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!

 

 

Jeff TT

Another quality dealer senario again,no doubt bought with full service history/service just done,etc,etc,etc,etc,(this is getting very regular!:mad: )

Shoulnt it be covered on the "warranty" then?!!!!

LOL!:D