To buy or not to buy??

No, it doesn’t. It “thinks” the engine is cold, even when it isn’t. It’s like leaving the choke on (if you’ve owned a car with a manual choke!) - the engine is simply over fuelled...

I don’t remember what age your FL1 is, but it is sensor (47) that you want to replace - see https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-GRID018941 - other vendors are of course available

But the idle isn't high like it would be on choke (I also own an mg midget so know them well!)

Cheers for the link Rob, will have a look, see if I can find it. Might just order one anyway. I notice they mention timing compensation, might also advance/retard the timing to compensate for temp, which could also make for bad fuel and idle.

It's an 04, if it makes much difference?

Sometimes the idle is only slightly high - the proof is when you read what temperature the ECU is seeing when the engine is at operating temperature. But yes, makes some sense to replace it anyway.

Ok. Will just order one. Just had a quick look but can't see it obviously. What is it near?o

Just had a good dig through the wiring diagram for the windows. Driver's side will motor up and down if I unplug the switch and apply 12v to the blue/red wires that run to the motor. Plug the switch in and nothing...

It’s on the water outlet stub pipe - right front corner of the engine cylinder head

Ace, cheers Rob will check it out!

rob_bell said:

It’s on the water outlet stub pipe - right front corner of the engine cylinder head

Click to expand...

Well I picked up what I believe was the correct sensor today, fitted and the temp gauge just showed max with warning light on... I must changed the wrong sensor.. it was by the stub on the engine side opposite to the cam belt.

Just had a look and the part no. I got bears no resemblance to those listed on Rimmer's..

Looks like a minefield of part numbers. Is there a way to tell which is mine? It's black.. seems to be the only defining difference!

There are 2 types of temperature sensor designs for the FL1 1.8. The early (distributor ignition system) system uses 2 sensors, 1 for the engine ECU and another for the dash gauge.
I'm sure the later DIS (two coil ignition system) uses just 1 temperature sensor, the ECU forwarding the temperature to the dash, via the CAN bus.

Any, I guess I have the later then? And the wrong part number..

Just stalled it and EML is now on!

Karlos28 said:

Just stalled it and EML is now on!

Click to expand...

A diagnostic will tell you why the light is on. Or put the old sensor back in, if the temperature gauge was reading correctly.

Yeah, well I put the original sensor back in as the new one sent the gauge to max temp when the car was stone cold.

Need to get a diagnostic, I just bought a Bluetooth Jobbie, not sure if that will be much use, but worth a punt at £4..If not I will have to find somewhere local.

Weird thing is, I have driven it several times after the new sensor, then old sensor. Only when I stalled it did the EML come on..

I'm hoping the EML relates to the fuel consumption!

Yes, early FL1s had two sensors. Later ones (like my 2001) had just the one:



That the gauge is so wildly wrong means the sensor is either faulty or the wrong one...

Yeah that's the one I changed. Must be the wrong number... God knows how to find the correct one! Fella in the shop just said it's the colours that make the difference??

That’s true on an MGF/TF! Not sure on an FL1...?

Well I got it from a land rover servicing place. He said there is a black, blue or brown one. I had black fitted so got a black.. no good it seems.


Edit: wonder if it could be a fail on fit? It is a britpart one...

Had the plugs out, out if interest. They all looked the nice creamy/brown sort of colour, checked the gaps which were too small so adjusted.

Still getting the petrol smell pretty strong when I come to a stop, does it even just after starting up. Open the bonnet and I can't see anything, the fuel system under there is pretty simple from what I can see:
Supply - injector rail - injectors - return - valvy thingy (purge valve?) - return to tank..

No leaks that I can see at all. There is nothing else I am missing carbon canister relates or anything is there?

Karlos28 said:

There is nothing else I am missing carbon canister relates or anything is there?

Click to expand...

Are you missing the carbon canister? If so an open vent pipe could be the cause of the smell.