Project 1992 Rover 214 SLi - Good* vibrations

[D Spares & Tyres]

Plugs are brand new m8.

New plugs or not, they do have a habit of soaking the plugs for reasons I don't really understand.  Pull them out, dry them off, and try again, should be okay.  You can always test for spark while they're out too.

That's what I meant. On these Rovers, if the battery is almost flat then the injectors just soak the plugs.

 

Do you have a gas cooker? If so then use the hob to burn off any petrol from the plug tip

[D Spares & Tyres]

If not, just put them in the microwave

[vulgalour]

Putting them in the microwave is certainly one way to test the spark XD

[clayts450]

Good news - managed to start the 214 this afternoon, after a very slow, deliberate process of elimination over the last few days.

 

Yesterday I swapped out the new plugs for the old ones, made no difference. I replaced the king lead too as the one installed was a bit ropey. Got a good bargain off eBay, a set of new Bougicord HT leads for £7.47 which included the longer lead needed for those 214/414s that have the coil stuck behind the nearside headlight.

 

It turned out to be the ol' TADTS of a dodgy earth connection to the slam panel - so simple really. Unbolted it all, Brillo padded all the connectors and the nut, and bingo - started first time. For good measure I also gave the crank position sensor connector a squirt out with some contact cleaner.

 

The vibration is, of course, still there, but I've nailed that too - crack between the flexi pipe and the front section of the exhaust. May try a bodge job first with some bandage/paste, but hopefully the car will be pressed into daily duties soon so I can rest up the Streetwise and do all the bits I need to on that.

 

Now all I need to do is replace all the old bits I stuck back on during my elimination phase with the new bits - dizzy cap, rotor arm, spark plugs and I'll probably put the other Bougicords on for good measure. Also a nice new battery in there with much better CCA.

 

So close now....

[vulgalour]

Good news!  Happy for you that it seems to be fairly easy fixes.

[clayts450]

Just took it for a post-Sunday lunch spin.

 

Apart from a bit of alternator belt squeal which disappeared as soon as it had warmed up, it really is starting to show its true colours now it's moving towards full health.

 

It pulls so much better than the Streetwise (those extra 10 horses and the PG1 gearbox being the key differences) and whilst the vibration is slightly drowning out the lovely sweet K-series sound, it gets through the rev range rapidly without any wobbles and the erratic idling and awful 1000 to 2000 rpm stuttering has completely gone - no need to slip the clutch in 1st any more. Running as good as it has done in my short tenure.

 

The one major difference is comfort - this is so much smoother than the Streetwise which gives plenty of feedback on poor road surfaces - this R8 just sucks it all up and leaves you in magic carpet land. The seats are mega comfy, and the cabin gets toasty real quick.

 

Once the exhaust is sorted I think this will serve me well.

 

Mega Sunday high after weeks of misery.

[clayts450]

Got thoroughly wet and dirty doing a GunGum bodge job on the 214 today - hole just in front of the flexi. Stuck some paste all over the place (including my face, hair, hands) then one of their magic metal bandages, then smeared some more paste everywhere. Needs a day or so to set, alternatively sit there like a lemon for 30 mins with the engine running - ain't gonna piss the neighbours off so overnight it is.

 

Couldn't resist turning her over though, to give it a go - wouldn't start. Flattened another battery.

 

Started first time yesterday and was turning over with a reading of 14-ish on a volt meter I plugged in. I think this car just needs a damned good thrashing once it's up and running. And not like this either