Close to giving up...

[garethcolley]

Well ever since having a LET installed in the Nova ive had nothing but problems. THis was done in january so you can imagine its running a little thin. Every problem that i seem to cure ends up coming back or leads to another. The on going problem has been fuelling and misfiring. Changed everything now, put standard injectors back, ran mint at rolling road then as soon as i got it home it was chucking out black smoke and misfiring again. Yesterday i swapped them over for some ultrasonically cleaned ones. Started it up and now the idle wont drop below 2500rpm, how can that be possible? Its literally got a mind of its own. I replaced ICV about 4 months ago and have done about 300 miles since. Also got an awful rattling noise like a pulley is lose but none are. Now thinking the internals of the water pump or something like that are f****d. Everything i do leads to another problem or 3 more, it was idling perfectly ever since i put the new ICV on yet now changing the injectors has changed this, how can that be....im pretty much close to giving up now, i havent enjoyed the car once ever since ive got it. Ive spent in excess of £1000 fixing bits, new head, gasket, new sensors everywhere, plugs, coil etc....The car just makes me angry, its by far the most unreliable engine i have ever dealt with. I just dont know what to do with it, maybe sell up??? :( Since driving out of Chris astley in Jan ive been towed home 5 times, done less than 750miles and every time ive driven the car its been to see if a problem has gone away, never to enjoy a nice drive, then by the time i get home 1,2 or 3 new problems have occured.....opinions?

[AlexW]

Even new parts can have problems.

[garethcolley]

Not tho this extent though...its like the engine is cursed. Im sick of it

[Dod]

Yeah, you're probably right. I'll give you £300 for it and a load of dutch porn.

Mate, these things will happen, look at Krobinsons build, everything done and done right and he still had loads of trouble. The only thing to do is keep at it, eventually you'll stop finding problems and faults. I had similar trouble with my first Cav, but I replaced EVERYTHING with new items and in the end up it was great, til the shells died a death and the car got scrapped. lol

[hc coupe]

Cars are just a pain in the ar**.I mean if it worked everyday didn't put a foot wrong,you've got your self a honda not a hobbie.lol

I think everyone has ruff cars, I sold mine,but I didn't build it.I think if you build it stick with it.I have one good outing out of ten or perhaps more but its worth it for that one good corner.

(edit: maybe not when your under the dam thing)

But its how much your willing to go.Stick it out

[Pistol Pete]

As has been already said, this is the joy we bring upon ourselves when modding cars!! Not much comfort in that, but its the truth!!

All you can do is be methodical in your approach to falut finding. Change one thing at a time, then you can eliminate as you go. Change 3 things at once and you'll struggle to find out what fixed it!!

Keep at it fella, these things are sent to try us! Good luck

[craig green]

Jeez what a horror story.

I can't comment on causes but only give you some support. All I can say is stick with it & I hope yo get to the bottom of it. From years of reading up on peoples problems with their LET's etc. Many issues stem from the looms, make sure yours isnt chafed or bodged in any way. Maybe give the engine a chance to run with the newly refurbed injectors & see if the ECU learns its new parts. It does all seem odd, but there must be an explanation.

CG

[garethcolley]

Its even more frustrating that ive just sold my other car to pay for a respray on this! So at the moment (weather providing) ive been having to driver the nova. I wouldnt mind so much if it was mega tuned. Its only 240hp...just been having a think about misfiring, anyone know what spark plugs should be used for this power? Standard? I have some NGK recommended by courtney but just took their word for it.

[garethcolley]

Thanks for the support lads, its just been going on for so long. My thread doesnt do it justice how bad it has been, if i gave you a list of the parts replaced and cash breakdown you would be horrified. Cheers, Gaz

[craig green]

NGK single electrodes will be fine, esp if Courtenay say so (assuming heat range is correct). However its very important to have them correctly gapped. Out of the box the gaps will need closing down.

On highly tuned LET's with more boost, the std plugs from a Ford RS turbo are recommended apparently.

Can I suggest you read up about the LET on http://www.max-boost.co.uk/max-boost/ Lots of fault finding info etc on there.

[garethcolley]

Craig- Cheers for that, max boost has helped before thanks. I just need to find out the correct gap for 0.9 bar boost and 240hp

[craig green]

0.7mm would be a good place to start, though that is my guess.