2.1 intermittent misfire/knocking

[mark21TD]

Until you get the temp problem sorted turn the A/C on when it gets hot, this will bring the fans on and reduce the chance of overheating.

[marty1979]

Thanks Mark, luckily I haven't needed to do that up to now, the needle never quite reaches the 100o mark on the gauge. A few days ago I braved the cold and had a look at the wiring and relays that are attributed to the fans, they all work fine and when I unplug the brown temp sensor both fans fire up, slowly for about 2 sec's and then super fast until the plug is re-inserted. The only thing I didn't check was the bitron relay thing that is supposed to live under the wing on the nearside, I had enough of fighting with the plastic arch panel to get it off and gave up, but that's the only thing that I can imagine causing the fans not to come on when they should. Anyway, with regards to my original problem, I put a concentrated dose of STP into the filter and the rest into the tank about 2 days ago and today it ran quieter and it didn't play up at all, still not convinced that it has fully cured the fault but I have a few other things to check, the static timing is worth a look and I may replace the green sensor in the head aswell, it's only a tenner. Cheers folks

[mark21TD]

You can't do anything with the static timing on the Lucas, there is no adjustment, it's all done electroicly.
It's woth checking the wireing to the green sensor as the fault is intermitant.

[marty1979]

The wiring is a good call, I never considered that, silly really as I have paid a lot of attention to the lift sensor connector. With regards to the pump timing, isn't there a procedure involving removing a bolt at the front of the pump and inserting a rod of some kind? I was thinking that maybe the timing is off ever so slightly and is operating just outside of the sensors parameters at certain times. I'm probably talking rubbish but you wouldn't believe how long it takes me to go off to sleep at night thinking about all this stuff.

[mark21TD]

With regards to the pump timing, isn't there a procedure involving removing a bolt at the front of the pump and inserting a rod of some kind? I was thinking that maybe the timing is off ever so slightly and is operating just outside of the sensors parameters at certain times. I'm probably talking rubbish but you wouldn't believe how long it takes me to go off to sleep at night thinking about all this stuff.

Not that I'm awere of, but you could be right.
I'm of the understanding that the pump takes signals from TDC, coolent temp, boost pressure, throttle possition, needle lift sensor to deturmin the advance/retard, but I supose it has to have a starting/referance point.

The coolent sensors have also been known to to not read corectly at some temps but be fine at others , which also could be your problem.

Just had a read of the Haynes and yes there is a static setting for the pump, and I thought I know a resoable amount about the 2.1/Lucas pump, oh well you live and lern.