running rich and using loads of fuel

[clioman]

I hope someone can help.

I picked up my 1.6 mx5 last week and then stupidly on sunday i washed the engine which caused the car to misfire etc for a while. It ran sluggish ever since so i have replaced the spark plugs which has brought it back to life now.

Ever since this washing incident the car has been smoking alot and running rich(can smell the fuel) and therefor my car is drinking fuel like it is going out of fashion. I only managed 125 to my first tank of fuel.

Can anyone shed any light onto this issue? Could water has got in something else?

Thanks in advance
Shaw

p,s i know its not a clio but mx-5 forum is quiet tonight

 

[clioman]

bump

 

[RSTuning]

sounds like coolant temp sensor or similar

 

[clioman]

cheers, where is this located and how do i know if it is dead?

 

[RSTuning]

Sounds to me like it is water related so just check all the wiring etc. Not sure where it is on that car but likely to be in the head somewhere

 

[clioman]

ok cheers

 

[len_beach]

I did this with my 172 about 12 months ago, it wouldn't come out of limp mode. In the end I removed each fuse individually and dried them which seemed to cure the problem.

 

[BenR]

check your MAF as i'm sure the MX5 uses one, they are sensitive.

 

[clioman]

cheers ben, when u say check it do u mean just check it for water in it or check voltage etc?

 

[BenR]

The hot wire is extreemly delicate and sensitive.

Check outputs against any known outputs that it should be running.....i dont know anything about MX5's to help more than point and shout.

 

[clioman]

cheers ben, ur always on hand to help.

i will investigate tomorrow.

thanks

 

[BenR]

np

 

[clioman]

ben i think you should change your occupation to being a mind reader.

I plugged the diagnostic tool into the car today and it brough up towo faults:

8 Airflow meter
&
10 Intake air thermistor in airflow meter

Seeing as both these faults point to the same area id say its the airflow meter.

There £300 new but just found a used one on ebay for £60. Only had the car 2weeks and already had this and spigot bearing sieze. Anyway enough of my rambling.

So this would cause the car to run rich and sluggish? correct?

many thanks
Shaw

 

[RichMcc]

Sounds like you just washed your way into getting a eBay 20bhp resistor mod!

 

[clioman]

no ebay resistor mod is coming near my car. no matter if it does give 20bhp

 

[RichMcc]

No I mean your getting the same effect, it tricks your airflow meter into thinking its running at full throttle and thus dumps tons of fuel into your engine regardless

 

[clioman]

ah i get ya. cant believe people buy those things then. 20mpg, fuel flavoured smoke and sluggish behaviour wouldn't appeal to me.

 

[bmh.01]

So this would cause the car to run rich and sluggish? correct?

Would've thought so, incorrect air flow reading so its dumping loads of fuel in for air thats not there.

 

[RichMcc]

I know some one that bought one! Mate in work who had a puma. He was go gutted, think he paid almost £20 for 5x 3p resistor ahahaha. First he said oh Ive ordered a chip of eBay gives me 20bhp la la la and I cried laughing when he brought in a strip of resistors!
Could imagine it pumping out black smoke at idle,

 

[clioman]

ha ha, bless him

 

[BenR]

ben i think you should change your occupation to being a mind reader.

I plugged the diagnostic tool into the car today and it brough up towo faults:

8 Airflow meter
&
10 Intake air thermistor in airflow meter

Seeing as both these faults point to the same area id say its the airflow meter.

There £300 new but just found a used one on ebay for £60. Only had the car 2weeks and already had this and spigot bearing sieze. Anyway enough of my rambling.

So this would cause the car to run rich and sluggish? correct?

many thanks
Shaw

SEcond hand units are a 50/50 thing as they do get tired with age due to contaminents on the hot wire, so hopefully it'll be a good one.

Getting yours wet has either damaged the wire itself, put dirt/contaminents on it or got inside the circutry. The hot wire is self cleaning and when you turn off it'll heat the wire up till red hot to clean any crap off, but if you get enough on it'll stay on and affect the airflow readings.

Or you could of physically damaged it.

Either way, MAF's are useless and overly sensitive.......they always go.

 

[clioman]

cheers ben,

i have ordered the part and they gaurantee it is full working order and clear of diagnostic faults so i will keep fingers crossed.

My air flow meter doesn't have a wire. Instead there is a little plastic tit with a hole in it which sticks out 10mm into the port. Looking in the hole it looks black and blocked up. The hole is only about 1-2mm big.

 

[BenR]

more than likely a hot film then....inside that hole will be your element.

Doubt the japs use a karman votex MAF.