'Zeb' - (Not a Classic) Bloggy!

[jagdude]

Paul,
I have high expectations that the temp sensor will solve your problem. I had grief with two similar sensors on an XJ6, which uses one for fuelling and another to trigger the cockpit temp display. Of course the one for the gauge display never fails. The other one does and you only find out when the car starts guzzling fuel at a rate that makes you wonder if you have a 6 inch hole in the tank. Keep us updated.

Jim

[Paul240480]

Thanks JD.

Well, I am wondering if I may have jumped the gun here . Chatting with swmbo last night about mpg.... erm' as you do

We worked out that, last Friday on her trip to Coventry Zeb was full on departure. Drove to Caen 176 miles. Then Portsmouth to Kilminster 135 miles. Then running around to & from the B&B to Coventry ect, say 30. Fill up on Sunday ready for the return & still had around 2 gallons left...

Zeb has a 13 gallon tank so 11 gallons used in 341 miles = 31mpg (Not that good at maths so please correct me if I've done this wrong).

So if I am right, it is the stooopid onboard computer thing that is telling me porkies!
And I've just forked out the best part of £100 on that sensor and a set of HT leads

[TerryG]

When I fill the tank on my ford it tells me i have 330 miles, i average about 410 on a tank. Trip computers are rubbish, petrol gauges aren't much better. 250 out of my 410 are in the top half.
I keep an eye on my MPG by making a note by always brimming the tank and making a note of how many miles i covered on each receipt.

[Paul240480]

Yes, thanks . I need to do similar to get a true indication. I've been pointed to http://www.fuelly.com . Have made an account & will keep an eye on things that way.

The sensor will no doubt come in handy some time, as will the leads. The current leads were on Zeb on purchase at 138k, now on 182k and I have no record of them being changed in the history file. They are 'Bouigiecord' so may even be the originals even. I ordered a set from Eurocarparts, they listed a make called Herth & Buss but when they arrived they are made by 'Prospark' . Will see how they 'fare' when needed.

Oh BTW, I reset the computer thingy yesterday. Using the reset button (in the past it has only been reset by battery disconnection whilst carrying out some work - should be the same though) swmbo nipped into the nearby town, only 10 mins away and it went up to 27.4 or so, by the time she had chugged around the town to find parking space it had dropped to 23 so reckon this pooter has seen better days!

[JPB]

That sounds like normal behaviour, I'd expect it to use more fuel when in town traffic, especially if you're just sitting it out waiting for a space coming free.
I know that my dash indicates around 78-83mpg on the way from here down to Newcastle (30ish miles) but, as soon as I'm crawling through traffic it comes right down to under 60mpg, not because of any glitch in the car's onboard dash computer or in the software (the excellent "Torque" by Ian Hawkins) that shows the MPG but simply because a running engine that's not going anywhere is doing zero mpg and that drags the average way back.

[Paul240480]

oh


^^^clicky to listen.

Recent oil (5w/40 100%) and filter (Gen OE) 1400miles since, including a blat to Coventry where all was quiet. Guess this has been around for 2-3 weeks. ONLY when cold, soon as warm it is sweet as a nut. Drives perfectly, no power loss etc.
Any thoughts..................

[Paul240480]

Well so far suggestions have been, at best a stuck lifter (tappet?) allowing the oil to drain and taking a while to 'fill' again after start up. At worst, piston slap. Both of which I have no idea of how to fix, although I guess the latter = 'endex'

Got a mobile mec' hopefully coming to listen next week...........

[TerryG]

Have a listen to the engine (using a long screwrdiver if necessary) and see if you can narrow down where the noise is coming from. It will help diagnose what part is the most likley cause and if it's the top of the engine it will be easier than the bottom.
Using my v8 as an example changing lifters is easy just time consuming as so many things have to be taken apart to get at them, changing big end bearings assuming the surface on the crank is OK is also pretty easy just messy as i have done it on my back under the car and always get eyes full of grit and drips of oil all over me.
Thinking about it nothing is really "hard" just fiddley, frustrating and time consuming espicially as you can't use the car while you work on it.
You could also pull the engine top cover off and check for play to help narrow it down assuming you have a new gasket about for when you put it back on.


The most stupid thing i have done resulting in a noise like that is bend the dipstick tube so it was catching the crank.

[Paul240480]

General opinion is that it is a sticky 'lifter'. Also I have been using 5w/40 100% Synth' & 2.5 N/A's are better on 10w/40
So I have ordered some Wynns engine flush & hydraulic valve lifter 'treatment'. So gonna do an oil change with the additives, this time I have bought some ELF ST Competition 10w/40. Just waiting for the stuff to arrive.....

[Luxobarge]

I'd agree with that Paul, concentrate on the oil flush and replacement, I agree on a leggy engine the 10W40 is a better bet, use semi-synth and the engine will benefit (I reckon) and it's cheaper to boot.

Good man - keep up the good work.

Cheers