Conference terri::cars_uk

    I had a similar problem with my 323 at about 29-3000 rpm.  It ended up
    being a slightly loose manifold.  This was then torqued up and the car 
    never rattled again.
    
    I'm not promising that that is the answer but it's something to look
    at.
    regards,
    JP

Do you mean "pinking" or just a general "rattle"/"clatter" ?

    
    
    
    Re: .2
    
    The engine is pinking.....
    
    Do you think it could be a blocked injector or something else simple..?
    
    I don't care how much it will cost to repair it as the car is still
    under Fords "Supercover" Manufacturers Warenty.  This expire's on
    December, so I would like to get things sorted out with the car
    rather quickly.
    
    Thanks again,
    
    Arnie
    
    

Could be something to do with the automatic advance mechanism not working 
properly. I assume Ford did check the timing, and the correct operation of
this ?

How about the petrol ? You haven't changed the type have you ? Unlikely,
but you never know.

My experience with Fords, and Ford garages has not been a good one. That
said, BMW haven't been too good either ...

    
    
    Yes,
    
    They have checked the timing  (too many times to count with 1 brain..!)
    
    I always use BP petrol.  I thought that it could have been a petrol
    problem so I tried a tank full of ESSO....still pinking...so I am back
    with the good old BP.
    
    I have also tried adding an injector cleaner into my petrol...still
    pinking....
    
    Yes, I agree with you about garages.  I don't think it is just Ford and
    BMW that are bad.....as long as a garage gets the money from you..they
    are happy......(Even if you arn't)
    
    Is there anything else it could be ?
    
    Arnie
         

    
    >I don't care how much it will cost to repair it as the car is still
    >under Fords "Supercover" Manufacturers Warenty.  This expire's on
    >December, so I would like to get things sorted out with the car
    >rather quickly.

    Well Arnie,

    If it were my car and it was still under warrenty, I would re-book the
    car in explaining the previous history. I would also ask to speak to
    the service manager (no lacky) and stress that the car stays with them
    until it is fixed and that it is Ford's problem not yours. If they
    don't know what the problem is suggest they  contact the Ford technical
    dept, because if they don't fix it today then you'll be requiring a
    loan car until it's sorted.

    Oh and make sure you pick up the car at least 60 mins before they shut
    and insist that the service manager accompanies you on the test drive.
    If it still pinks, suggest they keep the car and enquire as to the
    whereabouts of the courtesy car they promised if they could'nt fix it
    in a day. Be carful about the garage trying to mask the problem.
    
    If you get the the run around again contact Ford Customer Relations (I
    don't have the number but asking the service manage may help with any
    attitude problems). If all fails repeat the loop, you have got five
    months to sort it out.
    
    Tell us how you get on, won't you?
    
    Dave
    
    

    
    
    Thanks for the info Dave.
    
    I'll give what you have suggested a try and let you know what happens
    
    Many thanks to you all,
    
    Arnie
    

    Arnie have you tried changing the fuel filter ?
    
    Pinking can be a sign of fuel starvation, which can arise due to a
    clogged fuel filter.  I had to replace the last one on my Escort RS
    after only 3,000 miles because the engine was pinking and was not
    giving full power.  The fuel filter cured the problem completely.
    
    15 psi + fuel filter + 1 molecule of grit + increased fuel pressure =
    pinking :-)
    
    Alternatively it could be your ECU playing up.  The new EEC IV unit on
    the XR2i is quoted as being cobblers by some of the mags I have read. 
    It shuts off the fuel flow on the over run so you end up with a jerky
    and rather nasty performing car.  My BBR dealer says that they are very
    unreliable too.
    
    Try a new fuel filter and if that's no good, then ask your dealer to
    swap the ECU for another to see if this solves the problem.
    
    Gary.

    
    Hi Gary,
    
    Thanks for some good info.  As far as I know the fuel filter has never
    been replaced on my car.  I'll replace it and see what happens. I have
    a couple of question though :
    
    How often should you replace a fuel filter ?
    
    Do you know approx. where it will be situated ?
    
    If the new filter does not help, could there be another problem causing 
    fuel starvation ?  (There are no petrol leaks)
    
    
    As for the ECU, how could I detect if this was where the problem lies ?
    
    Thanks again for your info, I think the filter may be the problem.
    
    Cheers,
    
    Arnie
    
    

    
>    Do you know approx. where it will be situated ?
    
In between the fuel pump and the injections....sometimes in the top of the pump
as an integral part of the pump...

but then again... :-)

    Hello again Arnie.
    
    Ford recommend that you replace the fuel filter every 12,000 miles on
    the Escort, but BBR recommend every 5,000 for maximum performance. 
    These figures arn't hard and fast though, because one load of dirty
    petrol can clog your filter straight away.  I think this is what must
    have happened to mine, since I've never had to replace it after only
    3,000 miles before.  I must admit though, that I've let the fuel drop
    into the red part of the guage a couple of times, and this might have
    allowed all the accumulated gook to be sucked up into the filter; thus
    clogging it.
    
    As for the position of the fuel filter on the XR2i, I am not certain. 
    All you have to do though, is follow the 4 red fuel injector lines back
    from the rear of the engine to the injection metering head and then
    follow the single fat red one out of this back to the fuel filter.  On
    my car the fuel filter is quite a large silver barrel shaped object
    about 6 inches long and 3 inches in diameter. It's bolted on just in
    front of the passenger side front suspension mounting.
    
    As for testing the ECU yourself, this may be a bit difficult, since you
    would need access to engine monitoring equipment.  Simplest answer is
    to whip out the old one, and try a replacement.
    
    On the subject of the ECU; if you want smoother running and marginally
    better performance, then BBR, Collins & Detection Techniques all do
    override modules that clip straight on the back of your original ECU.
    
    Let us know what the problem was when you get it fixed and good luck.
    
    Gary.

    
    I have an XR2i and recently changed the fuel filter.
    It is situated under the battery and is clamped to the chassis.
    It is very easy to change and the filter costs 15 pounds.
    
    .....Simon
    

    
    Well, they have finally solved the pinking problem.
    
    It was a faulty Fuel Sensor.
    
    They found out that this was my problem because the car would not 
    start.  The sensor stopped functioning completely, so it was sending the
    wrong/no information to the ECU, hence the car would not start.
    
    The Pinking was caused by the Sensor affecting the flow of fuel to the 
    engine thus Fuel starvation causing the engine to Pink.
    
    
    It does concern me that 2 Ford approved Garages could not find out that 
    this part was not working properly.  I won't be near them again and a
    letter is already on it's way to Ford to inform them of my concerns.
    
    Garage No. 3 (Dalblair of Ayr) informed me that my Speed Sensor was
    also on its way out.  Again, that is being done (When they receive the
    part).
    
    Thanks again for all your input, it was greatly appreciated.
    
    Yours in motoring,
    
    Arnie

    Well Arnie
    
    That did'nt take long to sort out - 10 weeks and an easy fix :-)
    
    Of course if a component packs up completely it a relativly simple
    matter to find the failing component.
    
    How many futher visits/garage did you endure?
    
    Did they loan you a vehicle while yours was in for repair?
    
    Dave

    
    
    Hi Dave,
    
    The car went to Newmills (sp) Motor Company twice, Maconnachies once
    the RAC once and last of all Dalblair's.
    
    The RAC were the only people that were near solving the problem. They
    said that it was a Fuel System Fault, but they did not specify what it was.
    
    
    I got a courtesy car the first time it went to Newmills, but that was
    it.  Every other garage said the same thing....""If you want a Courtesy
    Car you will need to wait couple of days""...I wanted the problem
    sorted a.s.a.p so I gave them the car and found other means of transport.
    
    Arnie
    

    
    Well....guess what......it is pinking again.
    
    It only starts pinking when the engine is at normal running temperature
    and under load.  Dalblairs have it again to see if they can rectify the
    problem.   Actually, it is in for about 6 things....
    
    Anyway...
    
    Anymore idea's on what could be causing the pinking....??
    
    Arnie
                                            

    
    It's been rectified.......
    
    The Throttle Potentiometer was letting in air...thus causing the
    pinking, a hissing noise and a Flat-spot when you were accelerating.
    
    Lets hope it gone for good....!!
    
    Thanks,
    
    Arnie