Running Issues on my 80 2.0 8v 3A sport?

[Donald_MacIver]

This is kind of connected with my other thread regarding spark plugs - you will see why in a minute

Anyway, i will begin at the beginning. I bought my blue G reg 80 sport 2 years ago, and it was running spot on for a good few months until it started playing up, and it hasn't quite been the same since!

Meanwhile i aquired a very rare pink J reg 80 sport for parts, and i started swapping bits accross to see if i could sort out the running problem. I swapped over plugs, leads, distributor cap etc, and it didn't make any difference, wasn't any worse or any better

Anyway, then i swapped over the fuel distributor, put a new fuel filter on, swapped over the cold start valve, and the idle control valve, and a few other sensors etc. Long and the short of it is, it's still not running right. I had to turn the idling screw up just to get it to run, as it was cutting out.

When i go to start it after leaving it for a few days, it starts first turn of the key, and idles about 2000 rpm. If you leave it 3-4 minutes, the idling settles down to just under 1000 rpm, and it will run fine. If you give it slow accelleration, it will take it ok. However if you blip the throttle, the engine almost dies, and then recovers to normal idling speed. Sometime it also backfires if you blip the throttle.

Also, i noticed when you take it for a run, it is very much down on power, and on a few occasions, it has died completely on me and flooded the engine. I got an MOT on it last May, and i was driving it for about 3 weeks, and i had to put it off the road again, as it just wasn't running right.

Now, after it sitting outside my house for the last 6 months, i am determined to sort it out. The car itself is in very good order for it's age, and i have fitted a whole new exhaust, 4 new tyres, new shocks and lowering springs, new discs, pads and 4 new calipers too. New top mounts, track rod ends, and anti-roll bar links and CV boots. I have spent a fortune on it and it's hardly done 3000 miles since i bought it 2 years ago

Anyway, i intend to fit brand new plugs, leads, distributor cap and rotor arm first to see if it sorts this problem out. Any other ideas as to what it could be? Someone mentioned to me before about the lambda sensor, i did have a new downpipe fitted about a year ago. What would the symptoms be if the lambda sensor was faulty?

I hope you are still awake when you reach this, but i really need some pointers n what it could be?

Many thanks in advance