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Ford Pinto idle problem... afterwords it was the vacuum servo
xico_ze54 - 6/3/20 at 01:03 AM

some times ago I reported here a problem with a Pinto engine problem.

in idle mode it didn't fire the cylinder nr. 4, despite it had good spark and good compression and also it did run even in 3 cylinders, but when I accelarated it ran with normallity.

initially I pointed to the carburettor perhaps in its electronic components.

but only today we discovered the problem, after checking with a professional mechanician - not familiar with Ford Pintos engines - all the points, we noticed a noise that appeared to be an air leak, or a little sucking air noise.

I said to the mechanician the probability of the servo vacuum system could be one of the problems, because its attachment to inlet manyfold is located near cylinder nr. 4.

after that, he took off the hose of the vacuum drum and put his finger in and out at the enf of the hose and... VOILA... the engine ran nicely in idle mode as I never saw in that car, but normal for other Pintos I had until now.

and that's it. a bad vacuum servo and a problem with idle and cylinder nr 4.

cheers

[Edited on 6/3/20 by xico_ze54]

[Edited on 6/3/20 by xico_ze54]

[Edited on 6/3/20 by xico_ze54]

SJ - 6/3/20 at 08:20 AM

My zetec runs like a dog if one of the carb balance pipes come off, which effectively allows an intake air leak.

rusty nuts - 6/3/20 at 03:41 PM

Think I suggested checking for air leaks on your original post?

xico_ze54 - 7/3/20 at 08:42 AM

quote:
Originally posted by rusty nuts
Think I suggested checking for air leaks on your original post?


And you were right. I must confess I expected a problem with carb electronics.

cliftyhanger - 7/3/20 at 09:43 AM

Ah, the old "it couldn't possibly be the simple stuff"

We have all been there!
(brilliant story from a mate who is a forklift engineer. He is at home base but gets called out when the site engineers get stuck. 2 engineers, 2 days, forklift wouldn't run. Laptops showed nothing helpful, stuff had been replaced. He turns up. Walks over to the LPG bottle, notices it is fitted with the arrow pointing down. Rotates it, gets in, flicks the key and walks away. Job done. VERY embarrassed engineers....)