I'm currently fixing up a uno turbo x19 for my uncle who bought it about four years ago and has barely used it since.

I need some help diagnosing an idling problem with the engine and also I'm having problems getting it to rev cleanly.

When my uncle first bought it the x-ee was really really quick but ran like a dog. The turbo was found to be over-boosting (caused by a seized wastegate) and the head gasket was knackered. I believe that the turbo was blowing past the rings aswell. Not good.

I've changed the head gasket, freed the actuator, reassembled the engine and sorted some of the various problems related to the kack job made of the engine conversion (mainly electrics) and got the old beast running again but it still runs like a turd. When the head was off I had a look at the bores and they didn't look to bad, still could see some honing marks and there were no scores that i could see.

I was hoping to find someone who knew a bit about the uno turbo engines so that they could help diagnose the sporadic idling and also the unwillingness to rev properly and suggest some remedies. Any one out there?

Cheers,

Jam.

P.s It's the later 1.4 turbo engine

I will take a chance on this and say it is probably the rubber seals on the injectors and possibly even the injectors themselves.

Try spraying wd40 over where the injectors seat while the engine is running and see if it makes a difference (it will only change briefly). If it is then the seals will need replacing.

If it hasn't been used for a while the injectors are probably not working anywhere near capacity and will need cleaning (or in worst case replacing).

hi I have just bought the same car and need to fix it up ..some parts to change out but looks like it will be a really quick little car ..be in touch when I start the work is yours running yet??

A stock car with the stock Mk1 turbo engine *is* a fast car, maybe not by modern hot hatch standards but enough to turn the X1/9 from a pleasantly quick and fun car into a properly quick and very fun car.

Don't mess too much with the boost though you really do not want *any* lag if you can avoid it - not healthy in a mid-engined car...

thought it was the mk2 turbo? weaker bottom end,


reckon wnk idling is same as mine, either a random vacuum leak, or an injector/intake mani leak, as they are getting old and seals/gaskets are mean't to only really last about 5yrs

faster4_tec said:

thought it was the mk2 turbo? weaker bottom end,


reckon wnk idling is same as mine, either a random vacuum leak, or an injector/intake mani leak, as they are getting old and seals/gaskets are mean't to only really last about 5yrs

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I'd say it wasn't - just that even the early (lower power) engine makes the X1/9 fast.

Idling problems will nearly always be a vacuum leak on one of these engines. Try using some wd40 around the seals (like I said above). They will either bubble up as gas comes out or the liquid will temporarily seal the air from getting in and the idling will smooth out.

you need to check some basics or you'll just be shooting in the dark

Compression test
Plug check

Does it idle "rough" but still keep idling? Or does it not idle at all? If you hold the throttle on does it idle nice, or just the same?