Why is it running so well?

[EA1191]

The car has behaved very well on the last few trips. There were problems of the engine stopping when the accelerator was released, not idling well and the fuel pump not running when the car had been parked for some time and the engine was still hot.
Oil running down a valve stem has been blocked by sealing the valve spring retainer and collets.
Found that the rocker cover gasket had shifted and there was an air leak.
Twisted and moved the power relay to fit an override and may have tightened the contact between the cable and a crimped terminal in the plug.
There may have been water in the tank and dirt in the pump valve which has now cleared. And the coil and distributor was sprayed with RP7.
Maybe the computer has been damaged and no longer stops the pump running when the engine is hot.
Which? Or were the problems intermittent and will return.
Can definitely recommend cleaning the push-on connection to the starter solenoid.

[NZ]

random posts rock.

[EA1191]

When I joined the forum I needed basic information about the EA because of some small problems. That information was not to be found and the forum seemed to be used mainly by enthusiasts modifying their cars. There should be a section with some basic technical information. Someone had problems and it could have been the Throttle Position Sensor and that is easy to test with an ohm meter and a needle or safety pin. But the sensor was replaced but did not fix the problem. Waste of time and money.
Am finding some good links such as -
http://www.fueltech.com.au/trade_diagnostics.html

[NZ]

Your first post seems more to be a train of thought not really outlining any specific problem or problems and barely touching on what you did to fix it and why it fixed it.

[InitialD]

Originally Posted by five point slow

Your first post seems more to be a train of thought not really outlining any specific problem or problems and barely touching on what you did to fix it and why it fixed it.

Agreed :hihi:

[EA1191]

The problem is that I expected these posts to be read by members who understand this model and would know all its problems and how those affected the engine.
I thought someone would comment on the air leak at the rocker gasket, water or dirt in the fuel, faulty contacts at the cable crimps or computer problems. Since wondered if the colder weather is helping.
I suspect that many of the users are in the trade and are prepared to make it difficult for the owner/repairer to fix anything. Or maybe they just do not understand the car.
I am a member of a computer club and any request for help is answered by someone who knows exactly what the problem is and how to fix it.
Back to a need for a good technical help section for the average owner trying to keep the car running well. Simple tests for all the sensors without special gear. Just what is likely to be the cause of a problem in this model.

[NZ]

The car has behaved very well on the last few trips

Great. is it still running well?

There were problems of the engine stopping when the accelerator was released, not idling well and the fuel pump not running when the car had been parked for some time and the engine was still hot.

So the problem isn't there any longer? what did you do to fix?

Oil running down a valve stem has been blocked by sealing the valve spring retainer and collets.

I cannot follow what you mean here. I've never heard of sealing the spring retainer and collets.

Found that the rocker cover gasket had shifted and there was an air leak.

The rocker cover gasket leaking won't cause any running issues. it shouldnt be sucking in air. just think you can remove the oil cap while the engine is runningand it doesnt (usually ) cause any problem

Twisted and moved the power relay to fit an override and may have tightened the contact between the cable and a crimped terminal in the plug.

what was the reason for this?

There may have been water in the tank and dirt in the pump valve which has now cleared.

fuel pumps don't last long if they are pumping dirty fuel. also if they get run low often that will cause premature failure. often a crook pump will randomly not start on occasion.

And the coil and distributor was sprayed with RP7.

what was your reason for doing this?

Maybe the computer has been damaged and no longer stops the pump running when the engine is hot.

try this: if you can make the car stall without turning the key off see if the pump stops. the ecu will stop the fuel pump once the rpm drops below 350. perhaps pull the coil lead off while it is running. but be careful of getting an electric shock from the ignition system.

Which? Or were the problems intermittent and will return.

obviously the ones that you can't replicate every time will be the ones most likely to return.

Can definitely recommend cleaning the push-on connection to the starter solenoid.

[NZ]

The problem is that I expected these posts to be read by members who understand this model and would know all its problems and how those affected the engine.

But this whole thread is about how your car is 'running well' does it still hae problems or not?

I thought someone would comment on the air leak at the rocker gasket, water or dirt in the fuel, faulty contacts at the cable crimps or computer problems. Since wondered if the colder weather is helping.

Was there a need to comment as it reads it looked like you fixed these.

I suspect that many of the users are in the trade and are prepared to make it difficult for the owner/repairer to fix anything. Or maybe they just do not understand the car.

I am a member of a computer club and any request for help is answered by someone who knows exactly what the problem is and how to fix it.

You have to appreciate that a car is not like a home PC and often when there is something wrong or two or three things wrong it will cause other problems and diagnosis over the internet becomes difficult. It also helps if you can communicate the problem better eg what the car is doing, when its doing it, what conditions it does it any other things that have happened, if its frequent etc etc. the more info you provide the easier it is for people to help. Simply typing ' My car doesnt start in hot weather ' really doesn't give much to go on. As for the comment 'many users are in the trade and are prepared to make it dificult' - really get a life. No body is here to make it difficult for you.

Back to a need for a good technical help section for the average owner trying to keep the car running well. Simple tests for all the sensors without special gear. Just what is likely to be the cause of a problem in this model

A Haynes or Gregories manual will have all the information you need to do any tests. Also there is a search function on this forum and there are other area's you can post which are probably more sutible and more likely to get appropriate replies to.

[mcflux]

I'm thinking of a quote from an advert where a hot chick in her daks has ants crawling all over her, and has an echidna eat the ants for her ;)

[EA1191]

Some time ago there was a problem of the engine stopping when the accelerator was released when running downhill. It is an automatic. This became less frequent and I switched to premium and the problem seem to have now gone.
The other problem was the engine not starting when hot and now think it is a small computer problem but have a way to override it. That also may have been a fuel problem?
Those problems may have confused the computer and maybe it is now starting to work correctly.
The problem of the leaking valve stem seal caused one plug to foul and give a rough idle. Found that sealing the collets of the spring retainer was much more effective than I had expected and was very easy. Will do the job properly one day but need extra tools and if one cylinder is done, may as well do the rest and that is not simple for the first time.

[ned]

You make some good points Karl, and also made me spit my breakfast all over the keyboard!

[niko]

i think your main problem is that its an ea? :P

[SileNceR]

fuel pump might be rooted.

[EA1191]

It is an EA and the poor quality control is unbelievable.
When the problem of the engine not starting sometimes when hot was searched on the forum the answer seemed to be to replace the pump. The pump always started except for that special condition. Tested OK for flow and pressure and a chat to an NRMA engineer said that a pump would either work or not work. Could not see any logical reason to replace it. Anyway it is now working OK. The problem is that sometimes there is no power appearing at the pump terminals.

[SileNceR]

poor quality control? the car is at least 14 years old... you can't expect everything to last that long.

[EA1191]

The quality control allowed faults to pass when the car was made, some I fixed but others have caused problems later.
Just had a rego safety check and there were only two things found.
A rubber boot around a ball joint at one front wheel was split.
What looked like a wood screw was embedded in a tire. (Just a small piece of metal)
OK for another year.

Thanks for the comments.