My 96 KA cuts out if asked to idle in traffic when hot. It also has water leakage traces around the top hose joint (newish) but does not need topping up overmuch. There is no temperature guage - does it have a warning light? Otherwise the car goes well - the engine does sound like a sewing machine and use quite a lot of oil - I put this down to previous neglect and short supermarket journies during its 50,000 miles. Could the engine wear and oil consumption be due to a long standing and un cured overheating problem? Is this a known fault alt all I wonder and does anyone havw any idea how to fix it?
Jim
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 28/10/2007 at 13:43
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There is a warning light.
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I better go check it hasnt been disabled then - thanks. The Ka has no manual so I think findin one of them would be a good idea too.
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oj
Cleaning the idle speed control valve on the front of the inlet manifold [and a squirt of WD-40] would be a good place to start.
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Does the fan kick in? Normaly when it starts to go into the red the fan kicks in, so if the fan is kicking in I would be concerned. These engines run quite cool so the fan should rarely kick in specialy at this time of year.
The noise is probablty the tappets as they are not hydraulic and need adjusting at every 10,000 miles. If these are not adjusted properly your valve clearences will be away out and your car will sound like a sowing machine.
It sounds like the car just needs a proper service.
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There is NO gauge-just a warning light.
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I know, I should have said when the ECU gets the signal that the engine is about to overheat.
Incidently my engine always runs hot, I suspect the radiator as there is no loss of fluid andthe water pump works. Its only a problem in a traffic jam in the middle of summer though, its fine atm so I will leave it till next year.
My GF has a Ka with an overheating problem, her first sign is when the bonnet smokes.
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i had an escort with this ancient engine in for 14 years. It never over heated , nor used oil.
Sounds very neglected. Rad blocked, ( crap in pipes or crap in the fins) ever changed coolant?, is the header tank dirty?
50K ?, just started should be as new at that age, if looked after by careful owner.
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Thermostat sticking?, cheap to replace
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