A few problems

Post by **Tom** » 25 Oct 2004 07:28 am

Well, hi all. Sorry I haven't been on in a while, I've spent the last two weeks in sunny Florida (where, unfortunately, 340s are more-or-less unheard of but you do see the odd barge that is the 240).

On my return I got my car taxed and tested after having passed my test, and she's been doing fine over the last few days, except a few small problems have cropped up:

1) I think I've posted about this before. The engine idles very roughly indeed, so rough at times that it somehow shakes itself into a stall. Obviously it runs OK on the choke but it still runs worryingly rough after a short period with the choke on. It doesn't affect the drive at all. Could it be that I'm not using the choke correctly? Or should I go to a garage?

2) The foglight at the rear of the car and the headlight flash are both buggered. Blown fuses, perhaps?

3) One of the heater outlets above the centre console (above radio and dials) is broken. Although it emits air, it does not stay in position. It is very loose when I tap it and swings around when I tap it. Is there any chance I can replace it?

Thanks all!
Tom

Post by **5lab** » 25 Oct 2004 07:46 am

for the first part, you simply need to adjust the idle screw. its on the carb, there is a mixture screw which is angled diagonally downwards, and the idle stop screw is angled directly sideways iirc. twist it inwards a tiny tiny bit, and the engine will rev a tiny bit more when idling

Post by **wjp01908** » 25 Oct 2004 07:52 pm

You may want to check that the carb top is not shaking loose - this commonly causes idle problems on the 1.4 - don`t overtighten but just nip up the screws on the top of the carb. A good squirt of carb cleaner wouldn`t go amiss either.

Check your ignition is in order too.

Adjust the idle mix by increasing the revs on the throttle stop as 5lab describes and the screw the mixture screw in until it barely runs. Don`t screw it in hard - you`ll knacker it. Screw it out again a bit at a time giving the engine the occasional rev and it will eventually start to go rough again.

Somewhere between these to points will be a "sweet spot" where it runs fastest and smoothest. Leave it just there. Might be an idea to nip it down a tad before an MOT as I`ve found the smoothest adjustment to be a bit marginal when it comes to emission testing. BTW do all this at normal running temp.

Adjust idle speed down on the throttle stop if required after adjustment to 900 rpm.

Hope that helps - don`t worry if you can`t get it perfect. The 1.4 engine doesn`t exactly purr....

Will

Post by **5lab** » 26 Oct 2004 08:38 am

on point 3, it sounds like whatever holds it in place might just be a bit loose, try taking it out and adding a washer or something

Post by **wjp01908** » 26 Oct 2004 10:01 am

BTW If you`ve just had it tested, the result of the emission test should give you an idea of the state of the idle mix (assuming of course that it was done correctly on a warm engine).

As it passed we can assume that it`s below 3.5% CO Less than about 2% and it`s probably running a bit lean for a smooth idle IMHO. Spec. is between 1.5 & 3% if I remember correctly

Re your foglight - 340s do suffer with dodgy connections in rear lamp clusters - the connector strips are aluminium and corrode, especially if ther is any water ingress. Might be worth giving them a good clean for a temporary fix - to sort them properly it`s worth running proper cable earths from the bulb holders.

Will

Post by **5lab** » 26 Oct 2004 12:15 pm

i recon his mixtures fine its just the throttlestop that needs adjusting

Post by **wjp01908** » 26 Oct 2004 02:16 pm

"i recon his mixtures fine its just the throttlestop that needs adjusting"

I agree - it may well be fine - nowt lost by checking it though.

Will

Post by **foggyjames** » 27 Oct 2004 05:46 pm

Mine always passes the test with a stupidly low figures, yet runs absolutely fine. Bit random....

cheers

James

Post by **wjp01908** » 27 Oct 2004 07:28 pm

Yeah, MOT`s can feel a bit random at times. I think the CO spec for the B200 is on the low side in any case (2.5% max?) I just failed a few MOT`s on emissions despite the carb being properly adjusted before I decided to pre - empt the whole hassle of booking retests etc. by nipping it down and giving it an italian tune up before it went in.

Will