11 replies to this topic

[elpez]

During driving, the temp needle will just go down, and come up again in a little while to the normal position, some mornings it will not come up at all, probably makes he car run rich, have changed the t'stat, radiator, and water pump recently, and they all seem to be working well, just have no idea why this is happening. Has anyone ever dealt with this? How do you get to the sensor?

Thanks, not many Spi experts in the US!

[charie t]

sensor is underneath the manifold, fairly easy to test in situe. Inlet manifold off to replace is the easiest way

Edited by charie t, 23 December 2012 - 07:11 PM.

[xrocketengineer]

It is possible too that there is some gunk in the water lines of the manifold that reduce the flow to the sensor. You could try something else first. Drain the radiator and disconnect the two water lines from the manifold. Get from an auto parts store two pieces of heater hose about 1/2 inch id and about three feet long with two clamps. Connect the two pieces of hose to the manifold water lines with the clamps and then use a garden hose connected to one of the hoses to flush the lines. Then reverse the flow through the other piece of hose. That might solve the problem if it is clogged up.
You can see the two water lines and the sensor in the centre of the picture:

Edited by xrocketengineer, 23 December 2012 - 10:14 PM.

[elpez]

Thanks, will try flushing the lines this weekend. Pete

[Manuel B]

There are 2 people in your area with scanners for the SPI/MPI Minis,
or if you have an IR temp guage you can aim it at the two hoses and compare readings.

My temp sensor was changed from below without removing the manifolds, but you need two people, one to guide the socket with extensions onto the sensor by feel from above while the other works the wrench from below.

[garrymacmini]

Can be done as above but is a pig lol

[Mattl]

take the manifold off, probably quicker.

[garrymacmini]

It is! just done it this afto, took me 20 minutes!

[peter-b]

My temp sensor was changed from below without removing the manifolds, but you need two people, one to guide the socket with extensions onto the sensor by feel from above while the other works the wrench from below.

he he, just wear goggles to keep coolant out of your eyes,

[KernowCooper]

Never knew the injection one was so well tucked away? god I love my 33yr old carb engine and how easy it is to get at parts

[elpez]

Happy to report that the flushing did the trick, not much crap came out, but more did out of the heater. Put all back together and have driven it quite a bit, gauge works fine.

Manuel, I have the code reader hooked up 2 weeks before, no issues with that. Will keep the current sender on, for now.

Pete

[xrocketengineer]

I am glad to know that the flushing worked for you. And , yes I was surprised to see what came out of the heater on mine also.

ivan