Glad to have found you guys, just spent three hours reading your boards and feel well in the know, however not sure any of the threads have quite given me the answer I am looking for...

Am driving 1997 Brava 1.6 ELX:

Wednesday night took the car out and about 1/2 mile down the road the injector light pops up, there is a general lack of power but engine continues to run and when I turn round and get it home I hear that the engine now sounds more like a deisel/tractor!

- Recently changed the spark plugs - no problems there, have done at least 100 miles on them with no problems.
- noticed that the engine temp hasn't been getting quite as high as it had been over the summer (didn't own the car last winter though).
- when I refuel there is a tremedous sucking when I open the petrol cap (but this has been the same since I owned the car - 4 months).

What should I do first? is it still OK to drive (it sounds really nasty when its running)? It sounds like taking it to the garage to have the emu read is the first step right, or are there things I can do before this?

First timer, hope you can help. Thanks in advance!

Hello and welcome Sorry to hear your first visit to us is under such circumstances

Mine sucks air in too when I refuel it, I have given up being worried now As for your other problem, my first suggestion would be to turn the engine on and get outside the car and have a listen. If it's a problem with the exhaust or manifold which will cause lots of noise and lack of performace, you should hear it blowing or rattling. A problem with plugs/ coils/ leads will cause more of a popping noise from the exhaust end so don't think it is that. Also worth checking inside your oil cap for gunk in case it's a head gasket problem - don't know what that sounds like though as I've never had to suffer it. Deeper than that or problems specific to the 1.6 I don't know.

Don't worry about taking it to Fiat for the diagnostics, a lot of smaller places are now getting kits so get on the phone and see if you can find somewhere cheaper. It should be OK to drive short distances, just check yor fluids before you set off in case it's something related to those .

The sucking when opening the fuel cap is normal - don't worry about it.
If the injector light is on, it means the ecu has detected a fault. For some reason, i think it might be a faulty injector. Sammiboo's car had the same thing. If it feels like the car's misfiring, then I might be right.
Lots of garages have a code reader, so will be able to give you a good idea what's wrong.
H

Hey fellas,

Have checked under the oil filler cap, all seems normal, no nasty gunk.

Does anyone know what happens if you put too much oil in your engine? What sort of side effects does it have? How bad is it too for your engine?

thanks in advance.

theres a quick to check if its a faulty injector without taking somewhere.
all u need is a multimeter or ohmmeter. if you unplug the 5 pin plug at the right hand side of the inlet manifold next to the coil pack you can check each injector from there. the middle pin is earth so one side of the meter on pin 3 and just go along the other pins until you get one open circuit. cant remember of the top of my head which pin is which injector but if you find a fault then at least it saves you you some cash on the diagnostics...

Hi,

Too much oil in the engine is as bad as not enough. Oil does not compress so if it has no space to get out of the way it is as hard as concrete when your engine bits hit it.

Best case you blow oil seals, worst case you split your engine block.

But on the bright side a little extra oil should not cause any major problems.

Dave

munqui said:

[...] Does anyone know what happens if you put too much oil in your engine? What sort of side effects does it have? How bad is it too for your engine?
[...]

Click to expand...

7797archer,

Thanks for that tip, seems like a pretty simple procedure, I'll get on it when I get a chance and let you know what I find. Perhaps a stupid question but which end of the lead do you test? The ones going to the injectors or the ones going back to (? the emu?). Thanks

Munqui

7797archer said:

theres a quick to check if its a faulty injector without taking somewhere.
all u need is a multimeter or ohmmeter. if you unplug the 5 pin plug at the right hand side of the inlet manifold next to the coil pack you can check each injector from there. the middle pin is earth so one side of the meter on pin 3 and just go along the other pins until you get one open circuit. cant remember of the top of my head which pin is which injector but if you find a fault then at least it saves you you some cash on the diagnostics...

Click to expand...

Your quite right what you say but.....any circuit must be tested when under load (working) to get a correct reading/diagnosis.What if a injector is breaking down under load/heat a resistance check wouldn't pick this up.Same for coils or any electric motor.
The best way to check a injector is to 'scope' it over a duration of time/conditions.(n.b.dont test any wiring going to your ecu using multimeter resistance or you will blow it,best to disconnect ecu first)

i would suggest a diagnostic before you spend any more money.the injector that plays up the most is no.4. it could also be the feed wires to the injectors.there is a connector plug down on the right side of the engine.and the injectors were changed on 99 yr models,so get one from your chassis number.
the fuel tank might have a slight venting problem.check all vent pipes for blockages.they do go whoosh slightly when opened,but should not go bang when you remove the cap.