| Author |
Message |
    
A. W.
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 - 11:00 pm: | 
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Hello everyone, I was wondering if somebody can help me with my problem please. I have a 1995 Discovery v8i auto that I just bought about three weeks ago and it has somekind of engine problem. First it consumes gas in a crazy way, it makes about 7-8 mpg instead of 13 in the city. Second I noticed small black particles come out of the
exhaust, also, if I press hard on the gas pedal when the engine is running, heavy black smoke comes out of the exhaust (I assume the black particles are unburned gas). Finally, in the last 3 days, when I stop at any light and I don't switch the gear to Neutral (leave it on Drive while pressing on the brakes), the RPM keeps moving up and down a bit, and a couple of times the engine switched off.
The dealer told me upon quick examination that the problem is in the Air Flow Sensor, it needs to be replaced. So my question is, could all of this be caused mainly by a bad Air Flow Sensor? Thanks much. |
Warren
| | Posted on Thursday, March 21, 2002 - 02:08 am: |
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A.W. I also have a 95 Disco with the same problems. I can't seem to get a solid answer so if you do, contact me [email protected]. my dealer is backed up two months. |
A. W.
| | Posted on Thursday, March 21, 2002 - 10:59 am: |
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Ok, I will Warren, I'm supposed to take it to the dealer again on Monday for a more thorough examination, hopefully I will know then what is going on exactly. Also, does anyone know if the "Air Flow Sensor" and the "Air Flow Meter" are the same part or not? Thanks. |
JMcD
| | Posted on Thursday, March 21, 2002 - 12:34 pm: |
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Could be several things, MAF sensor,ECTS(engine coolant temp sensor),leaky fuel injectors, etc..
I know that doesn't help you much, but it is impossible to determine exactly what the problem is by the symptoms you describe.. Are there any codes in the computer?
It seems like you are definitely running rich(too much fuel) so if the ects was bad the computer would think the engine was always cold, keeping it in a cold start loop
OR If the MAF (mass air flow) sensor was bad, the computer wouldn't know how much air was flowing, causing the rich condition
OR if the fuel injectors were leaking raw fuel into the cylinders, that would definitely cause it to run rich and idle erraticaly, and blow 'black' smoke, which is most likely unburnt fuel
Does the truck start ok? How is the idle when you first start it up? Sorry, but there are a couple things it could be, Good Luck! JMcD |
doug james (Dgj95lwb)
| | Posted on Thursday, March 21, 2002 - 03:35 pm: |
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They are the same.
Start w/the IAC -idle air control-valve, aka 'the stepper motor'.
If it is dirty, it will cause rough idle, engine rpm 'hunting', dying at idle. Easy to clean it yourself. It is at back of the big air intake housing-the plenum. Has wire plug to it. Use tools to remove, handle carefully when out, clean w/carb cleaner/disc brake cleaner. Also clean /probe, the jet recess it goes into. Get any carbon deposits outta' there.
Next: your air filter-last changed when ? Is it dirty?
Next: the grey valve cover-mounted breather canister(flame arrestor);screws into the rt hand valve cover. Clean it-same solvents as mentioned, make sure the rubber hoses downwind are clear. Look for/clear the restrictor-brass fitting-at 'the T' in that group of hoses.
Next: while truck is running, direct carb cleaner
in/around all the hoses, tubes, gaskets seals to try to find a vacuum leak. The rpm's will increase when you find a vacuum leak.
Do these things to establish a baseline of knowledge, before haphazardly replacing parts.
Most parts for our trucks are robust, and the dealers are in the business of sellin' parts, $$$$$, and seldom do tthey perform thorough diagnosis-preliminary to getting it right. So start w/these beginning steps.
Note: a failing Alternator will give similar symptoms........ |
A. W.
| | Posted on Thursday, March 21, 2002 - 04:44 pm: |
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Dear JMcD and Doug, thanks a lot for your valuable advice, I will try to follow it before buying any expensive parts. And as for your questions, yes the car starts fine, also the air filter is dirty and I will change it promptly but I don't think a dirty air filter would cause all that. Again, I appreciate it. |
John
| | Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 10:37 am: |
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What you are describing is that exact same symptons I had on my 97. I did a few things first that had to be done to see if it helped, they were cleaned stepper motor, new plugs/wires, air filter, checked vacuum leaks, etc. Truck ran a little better but still not well. Had local shop look at it and after a few hours at 75.00/hr they told me I needed new MAF sensor for 700.00(part) plus labor. If I were you, i would take the gamble that the MAF is bad and try to source a used one on this site. I got one used for 150.00 incl. shipping. Thats much less than paying a shop a couple hundred bucks to tell you thats what you need. I have found that the brain power on this site far out weighs the repair shops.
good luck
John Hook
97 disco V8i |
A. W.
| | Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 01:30 pm: |
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Thanks a lot John for your help. This is my first experience with this website and I find it tremendously helpful, it's great to learn from other people's experiences and mistakes. I was actually considering selling the truck because of all the expensive parts that are needed, but I'm starting to change my mind because of the great replies that explained the situation and made it seem not too bad now. |
John
| | Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 01:40 pm: |
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Don't sell it! The discos are very easy to work on. Like anything, it will have its quirks that you'll have to put up with and rectify if necessary...just like a fine women, it takes time!
John |
Phillip Perkinson (R0ver4x4)
| | Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 02:45 pm: |
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are air flow sensors really that expensive..holy shit thats alot of money |
jas
| | Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 03:50 pm: |
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i have a similar problem with my 2k D2. except it is not currently as extreme as urs. the problem seemed to appear after i installed a K&N filter. i read from this group last month that people were complaining that the oil from the K&N filters are come off and shorting out the MAS. causing u to replace the sensor if this happens. I am taking my D2 to the dealer next week and let them see what it is. if it is the sensor, i will have them replace my filter also
does anyone want to buy an K&N filter cheap, only has 1500 miles on it. (san francisco)
jas |
Bill Bettridge (Billb)
| | Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 04:45 pm: |
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Um - just in case - why don't you take out the K&N BEFORE taking it to the dealer. That way you won't be on the hook if the MAF is oil contaminated!
Bill |
kingfish
| | Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 08:28 pm: |
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Don't forget the O2 sensors. If they arent bad yet, they might get fouled up from all the crud your disco is pumping out. |
JMcD
| | Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 08:45 pm: |
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AW, basically what everyone is saying is, it could be this, it could be that, but in my opinion the next step might be to find a GOOD honest tech who will run some diagnostics on your rig and try to narrow it down to what part is faulty.
I know it bites but really it could be any one of a half dozen bad parts that are causing your problems. Don't sell it, every piece of metal on the road has problems, get to know your piece of metal and the next time a problem pops up you will know where to take it to get fixed.Rovers are pretty easy to fix, all things considered.
Good Luck.....JMcD |
John
| | Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 08:49 pm: |
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i agree, get it fixed as quickly as you can so you don't foul up the O2 sensors cause there goes another 400.00. If you are looking for a used MAF, put an add in the wanted section of this site. Many people emailed me saying they could get sensors off wrecked vehichles and Nathan Crabtree said he could get rebuilt ones. Don't pay the ridiculous prices at the dealers....they don't even have good coffee when you go in. For the prices they are charging, the should have a starbucks in the parts dept. with all the fancy coffee.
John |
JMcD
| | Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 09:01 pm: |
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Amen John, Amen!! |
A. W.
| | Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 09:04 pm: |
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Thank you guys for all your help, I'm learning a lot. I agree that it takes some effort to maintain something as nice as the disco. And I don't think I will sell it cause I'm really in love with it. |
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