DigitalNomad
New member
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2009
- Messages
- 54
- Points
- 11
Hi folks,
Random Cut-out solved:
I eventually managed to get this final problem solved. Unfortunately in doing so I discovered a potentially new problem which is slowly creeping up on me. At least I am now aware of it and will see if the scrap yard fellow might be able to help me out again.
To get back to the cut-out, it seemed it was just another “slightly” faulty ECU (ignition module) again. I can’t believe how sensitive or prone to damage these little things are. Finding a good one seems similar to buying a lotto ticket
I let the car idle for as long as it could and eventually it cut out. I then replaced the current module with a new one I bought last week when I could not get the car to start for R250 (€23) - ripped off again as I can get them fairly cheaper now from the new people for around R160-00 (€14), new. After fitting this one, the car was able to idle for close to 30 minutes before cutting out again. At this stage the module was pretty hot. I had a different second hand one lying about that another fellow gave me earlier in the week to try and fitted that one. It then idled and idled until the little “Time to visit the fuel station” light came on and ever since never cut out again.
I was really chuffed about eventually getting this out of the way and I will definitely try to keep at least two good spare modules in the car at all times as part of my roadside rescue kit.
New problem creeping up:
In my quest to get a better hang of things and from a run-in long ago when I had an Toyota Corolla, I remembered it also cut out once almost like this after I went through some bad water puddles on the road – water in the distributor it was. So prior to experimenting with the modules as above, I took off the distributor cap and took a good look inside with a strong flash light. What I saw was a bit disturbing. It seems like there is a little bit of oil leaking into the housing. The only way for it to get in seems to be in the area where the distributor cam seems sealed and connects to the engine side.
I decided to take on a dangerous adventure, to me at least with my limited experience. I took the whole distributor off, marking everything I could beforehand and taking some pics as well. Slowly disassembled it and cleaned it well and dried it again with compressed air (there was oil on the little “pick-up” thingy with the two wire also), reassembled and fortunately for me, it fired up first time round. Late yesterday evening when I got home again, I checked the situation again and could see a drop or two has entered again.
I did not (to scared) remove the cam and all of that, to see if there is some kind of seal there, so if there is someone out here who knows of this type of problem and if it could be solved by replacing some sort of seal without spending money replacing the whole thing, please let me know, or perhaps there is some other neat fix my newbie experience is unaware of.
I did get a price of around R400-00 (€37) for a new replacement distributor though, but would be really proud if I could fix the current one rather.
It just really peeves me to think that the local mechanic did take it apart as well and I now know he probably just cleaned it, lied to me about it being water, and never told me it was leaking oil and that it would become a reoccurring problem. Naturally this means more future towing charges and service fees for him. I would never be able to sleep knowing that I treated someone like this.
Well that’s a wrap for now. Once more thanks for all the tips and help guys, you saved me from certain further abuse and heartaches.
Warm regards,
Random Cut-out solved:
I eventually managed to get this final problem solved. Unfortunately in doing so I discovered a potentially new problem which is slowly creeping up on me. At least I am now aware of it and will see if the scrap yard fellow might be able to help me out again.
To get back to the cut-out, it seemed it was just another “slightly” faulty ECU (ignition module) again. I can’t believe how sensitive or prone to damage these little things are. Finding a good one seems similar to buying a lotto ticket
I let the car idle for as long as it could and eventually it cut out. I then replaced the current module with a new one I bought last week when I could not get the car to start for R250 (€23) - ripped off again as I can get them fairly cheaper now from the new people for around R160-00 (€14), new. After fitting this one, the car was able to idle for close to 30 minutes before cutting out again. At this stage the module was pretty hot. I had a different second hand one lying about that another fellow gave me earlier in the week to try and fitted that one. It then idled and idled until the little “Time to visit the fuel station” light came on and ever since never cut out again.
I was really chuffed about eventually getting this out of the way and I will definitely try to keep at least two good spare modules in the car at all times as part of my roadside rescue kit.
New problem creeping up:
In my quest to get a better hang of things and from a run-in long ago when I had an Toyota Corolla, I remembered it also cut out once almost like this after I went through some bad water puddles on the road – water in the distributor it was. So prior to experimenting with the modules as above, I took off the distributor cap and took a good look inside with a strong flash light. What I saw was a bit disturbing. It seems like there is a little bit of oil leaking into the housing. The only way for it to get in seems to be in the area where the distributor cam seems sealed and connects to the engine side.
I decided to take on a dangerous adventure, to me at least with my limited experience. I took the whole distributor off, marking everything I could beforehand and taking some pics as well. Slowly disassembled it and cleaned it well and dried it again with compressed air (there was oil on the little “pick-up” thingy with the two wire also), reassembled and fortunately for me, it fired up first time round. Late yesterday evening when I got home again, I checked the situation again and could see a drop or two has entered again.
I did not (to scared) remove the cam and all of that, to see if there is some kind of seal there, so if there is someone out here who knows of this type of problem and if it could be solved by replacing some sort of seal without spending money replacing the whole thing, please let me know, or perhaps there is some other neat fix my newbie experience is unaware of.
I did get a price of around R400-00 (€37) for a new replacement distributor though, but would be really proud if I could fix the current one rather.
It just really peeves me to think that the local mechanic did take it apart as well and I now know he probably just cleaned it, lied to me about it being water, and never told me it was leaking oil and that it would become a reoccurring problem. Naturally this means more future towing charges and service fees for him. I would never be able to sleep knowing that I treated someone like this.
Well that’s a wrap for now. Once more thanks for all the tips and help guys, you saved me from certain further abuse and heartaches.
Warm regards,
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