Engine just dies on me

[Neil E 99]

So I am about 300 miles in with my new toy. Yes I know 300 miles aint the best.

Been to Elmwood for tune and service etc. When driving the car up to a junction slow down, push clutch in and the enigine dies.
Same goes for moving at speed take it out of gear and it wont tick over just shuts down. Its at full working temperature this happends

I have been in touch with Elmwood but Peter is away on holiday at the moment so wondering if you guys have had the same issue.
I think the fuel has been adjusted as it was too rich. so if this is the case what where and how do i adjust it. ?

I am a member of the flapper brigade. 89 400se

Many thanks

Neil

Edited by Neil E 99 on Tuesday 7th August 19:46

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Neil.

Do you have an adjustable fuel pressure regulator...Or something aftermarket like the Malpassi or Sytec regs?....If its over-fuelling then it will effect it at higher rpm and will run like a pig anything over 50mph....It could be the coolant temperature sensor (CTS) failing...you can test these but be careful holding the test probe on the terminals too long or you can fry it....

Do you have idle when static?..if so what is it?

A pic of the engine bay may help...

[KKson]

It could just be the idle adjuster screw has wound itself in on the throttle body. There a small adjuster screw which allows air to bypass the throttle and set the idle speed. They can work loose and either screw themselves open or even close up, reducing the tick over until it stalls. I usually stick a bit of loctite on the thread so I've had issues with mine opening up and idle speed going too high.

[Neil E 99]

Hi Zig

Thanks for the intrest.
Car runs fine throughout the rev range.
As far as I know the engine is standard, but the pic will say otherwise.
Cant get the car to idle when hot. The problem has occured only when its up to temperature.

Thanks

Neil

[keatsie]

As KKson has already said, check the base idle is correct.

[adam quantrill]

Sometimes the Coolant Temperature Sensor goes too far the other way. Usually it fails "too rich" but sometimes "too lean" = too low resistance, when hot.

They cost about £12 and only take half an hour to swap over.

[KKson]

if you're not sure, the idle adjuster is this one:

[Neil E 99]

Thanks guys for your assistance.

Will start with the ilde screw and see how I get on.

N

[mrzigazaga]

Good point about the idle screw..I have a grommet in mine to stop it moving.....

Just looking at your engine pic and cannot see the fuel regulator?.....Unless its obscured...but cannot even see the fuel feed and return.....

Edited by mrzigazaga on Wednesday 8th August 09:13

[adam quantrill]

Superglue will stop it moving but you can still twist it if you need to. I had a 350i there it tended to screw down (= less RPM) over time.

[Neil E 99]

Just looking at your engine pic and cannot see the fuel regulator?.....Unless its obscured...but cannot even see the fuel feed and return.....



Intresting.............. where would the regulator sit , and how big ?

where should the fuel feed and return run?

Any pics of how the engine bay "should look" from the factory?

I assume then over the years its been altered. Maybe its one of those cars that runs on fairy dust!

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Neil


It might just be the angle but the reg should be just behind the plenum screen side...just under the idle valve which is the little dome on the plenum.

I see that the water hose and heater valve are there instead.....maybe a pic from the drivers side may show it....If its plumbed straight into the fuel rail without a reg then there is your problem...should be around 42-44psi IIRC for a 400SE......


Ziga

[KKson]

There's no way it would run without a regulator so it's got to be in there somewhere. It could be one of the original small Lucas standard regulators which is tiny compared with the adjustable ones we tend to use these days.

Have you tried adjusting the idle screw yet??

[Neil E 99]

KKson said:

There's no way it would run without a regulator so it's got to be in there somewhere. It could be one of the original small Lucas standard regulators which is tiny compared with the adjustable ones we tend to use these days.

Have you tried adjusting the idle screw yet??

So have taken the car out every evening since the cutting out started. Guess what it has not done it again
I am wondering if it was due to the heat? . Since then its been cooler. Least I have an idea now thanks.

[Neil E 99]

mrzigazaga said:

Hi Neil


It might just be the angle but the reg should be just behind the plenum screen side...just under the idle valve which is the little dome on the plenum.

I see that the water hose and heater valve are there instead.....maybe a pic from the drivers side may show it....If its plumbed straight into the fuel rail without a reg then there is your problem...should be around 42-44psi IIRC for a 400SE......


Ziga

Thanks Ziga



I assume this is the regulator ?

[Neil E 99]

Is there a particluar type - model of fuel regulator that works with this engine well ?

Looked at this one. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/192490393187



Thanks guys.

[mrzigazaga]

Ahhh...there it is..
You may of had a small amount of vapour lock...possibly...but without a good check over it would be wrong to surmise...

[Neil E 99]

Will get a full inspection
Thanks.
N