Flashing Engine Light on start up

[Marc]

Hello, there. Use these boards for a long time getting repair help but first time posting with this problem that im struggling with.

I have a Fiat Bravo 80 16v sx 1.2. I had been having some problems getting any hot air through the heaters but i bled the cooling system out and that fixed the problem. I then had medium length round trip to York about 150 miles round trip. The day after when starting up in the morning the car juddered and seemed to lack power like the engine was perhaps misfiring. After about 20 seconds it seemed to get going and was fine after that. The rest of the day it worked fine.

However the next morning it started again, while its juddering the engine light is flashing yellow, after a few seconds it sorts itself out and runs fine again.

So its only after being left over night that it has the problem.

My first worry was head gasket might be on its way out and the car was getting water into the cylenders as i have recently on occasion heard the sound of water sloshing.

Also wondered if it might be a battery issue and the battery is draining over night? HT leads, spark plugs or coil pack? Dont know if any of them could be causing the problem. Just hope I dont have to try and change the head gasket ha.

Anyone have any ideas to point me in the right direction?

Cheers

Marc

 

[Sven]

Sounds like plugs or/and leads. If the temp needle stands half way during the drive and you are not loosing any coolant the gasket should be OK.

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[marko]

I think the "sloshing" is a problem with the coolant still. They can be a bugger to clear of air locks so might need to try again.
There used to be a few 1.2 16v with throttle body problems which may or may not be of interest.

 

[Karl]

I would very much agree with Marko, i had a 1.8 HLX that the light would come on when an air lock\bubble would present itself... i think the trouble is there are two different bleeding systems some have the bleed point on the two pipes that go round the back of the engine from the thermostat and others dont (like mine and my current HGT) if yours doesn't i would suggest having it vacuum filed at a garage its the only way to be sure all air bubbles and locks have been removed...

If yours has the bleed point on the said pipes follow Sven's guide to bleeding the coolant system and you should be ok...

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[Anonymous Coward]

cheers for the help folks,

i only bled the cooling system cause i had no hot air so i assumed when i got hot air back through the heaters the job was done.

I'll try it again and see. Ive already replaced the coil pack but i did just take the coil pack off a brava in a scrapyard and i already have ht leads to try.