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        General >> Problems >> Erratic lumpy idle 2.3
        
(Message started by: Jeff on Jul 24^th, 2014, 12:37pm)

Title: Erratic lumpy idle 2.3
Post by Jeff on Jul 24^th, 2014, 12:37pm

Hi guys,
You haven't heard much from me lately as my 2.3 has been behaving so well. Until yesterday.
Stopped for fuel, but on restart the idle had gone all over the place. As soon as I drove away from the petrol station it was ok, but with a loss in power (difficult to judge in traffic). I suspect coil packs, but on looking under the bonnet I think there was a hissing sound.
In the past this car has had the plastic inlet manifold either repaired or replaced, could this be the cause?
Any ideas??

Title: Re: Erratic lumpy idle 2.3
Post by Simmo on Jul 24^th, 2014, 12:39pm

Certainly could. Is there any sign of water loss? The other thing to check is the MAF. (http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cleanmaf.htm) ;)

Title: Re: Erratic lumpy idle 2.3
Post by Jeff on Jul 24^th, 2014, 12:57pm

Not that I'm aware, but didn't check water level - had no warning mind (would I have done? Not sure if level is monitored, is it just the gauge?)

Title: Re: Erratic lumpy idle 2.3
Post by Simmo on Jul 24^th, 2014, 1:21pm

There is a float device in the water reservoir which will eventually indicate low level on the instrument panel BUT you could lose some water before that happens. Look at the level indicated on the unit. IF it started badly but then ran fairly well it could be the head gasket has gone. Have you checked the oil filler cap?. Is there any sign of 'mayonaise' on it? A sure sign of water and oil having mixed. :(

Title: Re: Erratic lumpy idle 2.3
Post by Simmo on Jul 24^th, 2014, 1:31pm

The entire handbook is Here (http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/handbook.htm). The page showing the radiator water level warning light is page 9. :)

Title: Re: Erratic lumpy idle 2.3
Post by Jeff on Jul 24^th, 2014, 2:11pm

gawd...got me worried now

Title: Re: Erratic lumpy idle 2.3
Post by Tompion on Jul 24^th, 2014, 4:54pm

My first thought was as you say a coilpack.
I don’t remember ever seeing a thread in which a cracked manifold affected the intake side (apart from one where the EGR melted it internally).
Check all the vacuum hoses.
Some of the late cars didn’t have coolant level warning lamps.

Title: Re: Erratic lumpy idle 2.3
Post by a900one on Jul 28^th, 2014, 10:31am

My 98 cosworth is without a light ???.

Title: Re: Erratic lumpy idle 2.3
Post by Jeff on Jul 28^th, 2014, 7:48pm

Well thank you all for your replies. I'm afraid I dumped it on my service garage last Friday as we were away for the weekend, and said fix it. The good news came soon after they started work on it, finding a pipe that had come adrift. I felt rather stoopid not having seen it myself, but didn't really have a proper look.
So my fears of cracked inlet manifolds or head gaskets were unfounded and I'm back on the road in a very nice example.

Title: Re: Erratic lumpy idle 2.3
Post by Simmo on Jul 29^th, 2014, 7:10am

Jeff that is great news. :)

Title: Re: Erratic lumpy idle 2.3
Post by Glyn on Jul 29^th, 2014, 9:32pm

Was it one of the notorious vacuum pipes ?