MG RV8 problems - now sorted
Discussion
Hi Folks,
It’s a while since I posted in this section as it’s taken me a good while to bring this abandoned RV8 back from near death.
As they are quite rare I took the liberty of posting engine faults in the Land Rover section as this original fitment 3.9 EFI unit is the same as Range Rover and some TVRs.
Anyway,
Lots of cosmetic restoration and a few new parts brought it to a standard where I could at last take it for MOT. Although it passed with only the headlights needing adjustment after I had removed and freed everything, it still felt as though someone had hold of the rear bumper when accelerating.
I though I would share the story in case anyone else is suffering similar problems, or might in the future.
I had replaced plugs, leads, cap, rotor arm and all bodily fluids just after we got it, to a least start from a known place. The fault definitely seemed fuel/air related. It always started easily and they work in open loop mode until the temp gets to about 75 deg C, at which point it goes closed loop (using the Lambda sensors) until the revs reach 3500 ish at which point it goes open loop again.
I connected it to my Rover Gauge Software via the very simple 3wire diagnostic port (early days before OBD ) and found 2 fault codes - 44 which is Lambda sensor on left (odds) bank plus 48 which is stepper motor fault. I replaced the Lambda sensor and put the stepper motor (which looked clean) in the ultrasonic bath. An unbelievable amount of crap came out, then I dried it off and sprayed it with WD and reassembled everything.
500 miles later it’s going like it should and not thrown any more codes.
Ian
It’s a while since I posted in this section as it’s taken me a good while to bring this abandoned RV8 back from near death.
As they are quite rare I took the liberty of posting engine faults in the Land Rover section as this original fitment 3.9 EFI unit is the same as Range Rover and some TVRs.
Anyway,
Lots of cosmetic restoration and a few new parts brought it to a standard where I could at last take it for MOT. Although it passed with only the headlights needing adjustment after I had removed and freed everything, it still felt as though someone had hold of the rear bumper when accelerating.
I though I would share the story in case anyone else is suffering similar problems, or might in the future.
I had replaced plugs, leads, cap, rotor arm and all bodily fluids just after we got it, to a least start from a known place. The fault definitely seemed fuel/air related. It always started easily and they work in open loop mode until the temp gets to about 75 deg C, at which point it goes closed loop (using the Lambda sensors) until the revs reach 3500 ish at which point it goes open loop again.
I connected it to my Rover Gauge Software via the very simple 3wire diagnostic port (early days before OBD ) and found 2 fault codes - 44 which is Lambda sensor on left (odds) bank plus 48 which is stepper motor fault. I replaced the Lambda sensor and put the stepper motor (which looked clean) in the ultrasonic bath. An unbelievable amount of crap came out, then I dried it off and sprayed it with WD and reassembled everything.
500 miles later it’s going like it should and not thrown any more codes.
Ian
Thanks for the question
Approx list of work done (all at home)
Plugs, leads, distributor cap, rotor arm
All bodily fluids changed
New handbrake cables, rear wheel cylinders, some brake pipes
New pads, discs and rear drums cleaned in lathe
Seats removed, dismantled, re connollised, frames and runners repainted, refitted.
Door cappings stripped, re-lacquered
Petrol tank removed, cleaned, repainted.
New filters and some fuel pipes remade.
Bodywork cleaned clayed, polished, small chips touched up, flatted and polished.
Wheels stripped (sent away for that bit!) polished, painted, new tyres and metal valves fake studs replaced with Button Head Allen screws in stainless.
New l/h Lambda sensor cleaned MAF sensor
Replaced fan switch with lower temp one, new rad cap.
Plus lots of small detailing under bonnet - zinc plating and/or painting.
Quite a few hours but not much money spent,
Ian
Approx list of work done (all at home)
Plugs, leads, distributor cap, rotor arm
All bodily fluids changed
New handbrake cables, rear wheel cylinders, some brake pipes
New pads, discs and rear drums cleaned in lathe
Seats removed, dismantled, re connollised, frames and runners repainted, refitted.
Door cappings stripped, re-lacquered
Petrol tank removed, cleaned, repainted.
New filters and some fuel pipes remade.
Bodywork cleaned clayed, polished, small chips touched up, flatted and polished.
Wheels stripped (sent away for that bit!) polished, painted, new tyres and metal valves fake studs replaced with Button Head Allen screws in stainless.
New l/h Lambda sensor cleaned MAF sensor
Replaced fan switch with lower temp one, new rad cap.
Plus lots of small detailing under bonnet - zinc plating and/or painting.
Quite a few hours but not much money spent,
Ian
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