Technical Uno turbo engine problem.

[Holtermann]

Hi, I was out driving the other day then suddenly the engine just lost all power and the hole car was "jumping" when i pushed the throttle.
I've had some idle problems, running at 1500-2000rpm. But now the car would not run at all. Well, i can fire it up but cant drive and have to constantly push the throttle.

Any ideas what could be wrong ?

1988 Uno Turbo

 

[Jai]

have a look at the tdc sensor cable, ensure it hasn't got snagged or burnt out on the exhaust, get similair running with that. the other thing was if you have a non standard air filter stuck on the afm, i couldn't figure why the white one was so jumpy on full throttle, till i took the filter off, and found it had a square cut hole...over a round entry:bang:

 

[Holtermann]

Allright, i got a K/N filter, but i it seems fine. I gonna go out and have a look on the tdc sensor cable soon.

 

[Holtermann]

Btw, here is a video clip: [ame="http://s190.photobucket.com/albums/z100/Holtermann/?action=view&current=Picture015.flv"]Picture015.flv - Video - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting[/ame]

 

[alexGS]

I think Jai is right about the sensor for a non-run situation, but judging from that video, it seems to be running - so my guess is that you just have an air leak into the intake system. It sounds lean to me at 2000RPM and it is too lean to run below 1000. There are lots and LOTS of places for this air leak to occur

Have you noticed any odd squeaks/whistles/raspberry sounds? If so, check in particular the small short pipe that connects the turbo to the metal pipe over the gearbox. Then check the intercooler (plastic tanks may have split), and the boost hose above the cam cover. A leak at any of these points will make on-boost noises and also affect the idling (when there is high manifold vacuum).

If there haven't been any odd noises, then it is more likely to be a leak in the small rubber pipe that runs to the Digiplex ECU and the boost gauge (T-junction), or a leak in the brake servo pipe, or a leaking recirculating dump valve (VERY likely with the plastic original - has there been an on-off-throttle jerk before?)

The final possibility is that there isn't a leak at all - and instead the Idle Air Valve (a reliable Bosch device) may have given up. This is bolted to the front of the cylinder head, near the gearbox. Try blocking off its pipes. The idle speed should be lower than with the valve in the system, assuming that the engine is cold. I'm fairly certain you have a leak though, because the engine sounds lean at 2000+ RPM.

It's reassuring for me to hear a small amount of piston slap (when the engine speed increases from a low idle), just like mine has I think they all do that.

And, one of your instrument panel illumination bulbs is out

-Alex

 

[Chas Uno]

Just to add to Alex's post, could it be a faulty AFM unit? I seem to recall that when these fail the engine ticks over all over the place and has a tendency to stall?

 

[oldskoolmk1unoturbo]

yeah you've got a air leak somewhere, mine did that but not quite as bad, i bought some new samco vacumm pipes and replace all of mine and it sorted the proplem out

 

[cerveza]

yeah you've got a air leak somewhere, mine did that but not quite as bad, i bought some new samco vacumm pipes and replace all of mine and it sorted the proplem out

the easiest way to find a air leak is to remove the filter and having the engien at aprox 2-4k /rpm ... then put your palm of your hand an block the AFM intake with it... that way you produce a very stong vaccum thru the whole system and it`s very easy to hear were the leak is

i do this all the time... never failed me

 

[gt matt]

Another thing this could be is the idle control valve (metal unit bolted to front right of head with 2 x 10mm bolts and electric plug) when these fail this can have the same effects, but if i had to guess i would guess that youve blown the pipe from the turbo intake right down the back of the block onto the turbo, cos i blew this off loads of times and it ran like this!

 

[Unoturbo'd]

check boost pipes pal especially down by intercooler

 

[DRUE1]

Another thing this could be is the idle control valve (metal unit bolted to front right of head with 2 x 10mm bolts and electric plug) when these fail this can have the same effects, but if i had to guess i would guess that youve blown the pipe from the turbo intake right down the back of the block onto the turbo, cos i blew this off loads of times and it ran like this!

i had that problem with my one now and it was the icv.start up drive fine but cut out every time i slowed or stopped at traffic lights.ive turned my revs up till i get that sorted

and i would check my plugs and leads m8y cos it sounds like you have a miss fire there as well

 

[oldskoolmk1unoturbo]

i just changed my thermorstat for another and my uno wasnt starting and doing exactly that, it was the sensor which screws into the thermostat, i just swapped it for the old one and back to normal again,

change it for either a new one or a proven second hand sensor and it will fix your problem