340 Too Rich - Page 3

340_Chris · Jan 19th, 2009, 13:56

Dear All,

I have a 3-door 1985 1.4 340 GL with a very irritating problem. When I was first given it the weather was rather better than it is now and all seemed fine. When the cold snap started just before Christmas I noticed that the engine wasn't really getting hot (not even to the 'C' on the guage). At the same time I also noticed that the 'change gear' light on the dashboard was constantly lit. To combat the warmth problem I have fitted a new thermostat and that is now fine. The idle speed seems too high but I haven't got a tacho so can't say exactly what it is - I'd guestimate that it must be around the 1500-1800 mark when at normal temperature.

The main problem is that it's running rich the whole time. I thought that the replacement thermostat might sort things out but it's now started to break down on long (motorway) journeys and I'm having to literally clean the plugs before I can continue. They are getting really sooty to the point where I'm using emery paper to clean it off.
Round town and on short-ish motorway journeys it can cope with but the exhaust fumes are always 'rich' in odour and the exhaust pipe is very sooty too. Not to mention the excessive fuel consumption.

Can anyone suggest anything that I can troubleshoot to try and get this sorted as I'd like to keep hold of it for the time-being and can't really afford to hand it over to a garage to look at.

Many thanks.

Chris

Jan 19th, 2009, 13:56	#1
340_Chris New Member Last Online: Dec 3rd, 2014 17:25 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Malvern	340 Too Rich Dear All, I have a 3-door 1985 1.4 340 GL with a very irritating problem. When I was first given it the weather was rather better than it is now and all seemed fine. When the cold snap started just before Christmas I noticed that the engine wasn't really getting hot (not even to the 'C' on the guage). At the same time I also noticed that the 'change gear' light on the dashboard was constantly lit. To combat the warmth problem I have fitted a new thermostat and that is now fine. The idle speed seems too high but I haven't got a tacho so can't say exactly what it is - I'd guestimate that it must be around the 1500-1800 mark when at normal temperature. The main problem is that it's running rich the whole time. I thought that the replacement thermostat might sort things out but it's now started to break down on long (motorway) journeys and I'm having to literally clean the plugs before I can continue. They are getting really sooty to the point where I'm using emery paper to clean it off. Round town and on short-ish motorway journeys it can cope with but the exhaust fumes are always 'rich' in odour and the exhaust pipe is very sooty too. Not to mention the excessive fuel consumption. Can anyone suggest anything that I can troubleshoot to try and get this sorted as I'd like to keep hold of it for the time-being and can't really afford to hand it over to a garage to look at. Many thanks. Chris

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