I believe these can be as reliable as most cars, but it's bodgers and corner cutting/money pinching, that causes it.
How would you keep a standard one reliable?
What are most likely areas for causing a breakdown?
Cheers...

 

IIRC Stu @ MSD wrote a guide in Fast Fords.

 

MONEY......



Mine is very reliable

 

IMO the key to keeping them reliable is replacing ALL sensors, replacing all service items on a regular basis (fuel filter etc) and replacing key components that have degraded over time...like looms or fuel pumps.

If you are prepared to do that then they are perfectly reliable, even at double its factory power output.

I never had any of my 3 Cossies break down or even fail to start i don't think...i had issues like any other car but all were minor and solved easily.

 

You did indeed remember correctly...
http://www.motorsport-developments.c...AF257.tech.pdf

 

Remember reading that now, was a long time ago!
Great read.
Thanks everyone

Reckon I'd also bung it into Mark Shead for a going over too, as he's most local of the legends.

 

Be quite foolish not to.

 

Mines done 109k on the same bottom end and was used daily for over 2 years with no probs and still has 332 bhp

good servicing is the key also a fueling check under full boost is a must

Paul

 

Do you have one then? I must have see you out in it at some point round the area?

I can think of 3 i see regularly.

 

No mate, mrs won't let me, not that she can drive

Mate just got a white rear wheeler off Wells wacky workshop though, broken every time I've been out in it; didn't even make it to mine on it's maiden voyage

Issue is 4am starts at work, and 15 mile drive; if something went wrong bit tricky for a lift!

 

If he needs any bits or help gimme a tinkle

 

He's alright for oil now I've done sump plug up 20 turns, doesn't need a litre every trip

Snapped gearstick has been changed

Alternator wire that fell off on maiden voyage I've correctly connected

I've sorted brakes that shot you off the road

You any idea how to get clutch pedal at correct height?
Is about a foot higher than it should be.

 

how to keep a standard cossie reliable and working correctly:

the answer is; Keep it standard

 

either the clutch is on its last legs or the ratchet is screw'd. ( the clutch pedal is a self adjusting ratchet type thing)

 

Not a bad idea if daily car I guess.

Loader, is newish 6 paddle thing, heard a few ideas but none has worked.
Maybe it is breaking away from bulkhead, not looked.

 

The ratchet is nylon and poop from new.
try- http://randbmotorsport.co.uk/shop/De...?ProductID=386

 

I've just done 100 miles today in mine, just checked the oil that's all, mine drinks a bit with 160,000+ on the bottom end, I turn the stereo up to drown out the piston slap whne it's hot!!
I don't think they need any more than a normal car of thier age, but knowing thier quirks is helpful, as the build quality was crap.
Mine still does 379bhp and regular sessions on RR, trying different things.
Only real breakdown was a HG(you guessed!!) shortly after I bought the car, but still managed to struggle home, bloody ford garage had well bodged it for previous owner.
tabetha

 

I use mine everyday and its stage 2 with green injectors,ive got a dyno graph from a few years back now and it said 305 bhp.Ok sometimes when i drive it,it chugs n farts every now and then but only when cold.Ive went to loads of shows in it last year and it never missed a beat.I havent got loads of money and havent spent loads on it.If my car needs anything it gets it.

 

if you are mechanically minded - probably OK.

but I've had 4 different Sierra cossies and did as much mileage to garage and back in all four as I did using it as a day to day car.
they are old and old technology.

I'm no dumbass ignoramous about mechanics but if you want them to run right and reliable they need checking and setting up regularly etc. this is a professional job, needing the correct equipment.

not slagging cossies - I love them - but with 20+ year old cars what can you expect, parts are going to fail.

 

as above well said. They are old cars with old technology.

 

In the past couple of years i have used and abused my saph, and driven everywhere i wanted, includin seeing my other half in scotland (700 mile round trips) and a trip to the ring,

its never once let me down,

If you spend money in the right places they can b reliable cars,

clossed loop/wasted sparks a good place to start

after that the odd bit of tlc u cant go wrong

 

I give mine some every now and then too.Its just so hard not to.

 

untill last year i was doing 25k a year in mine @370bhp.

with no issues.

 

Cheers everyone

Why does closed loop and wasted spark help?

Not allowed one in white, want one in white

 

better fuel economy, better engine life, increased service intervals.....

 

Basically 100% fuelling and sparking wise, whereas from the box not too clever?

 

As above and the cars alot nicer to drive off boost around town, worth every penny imo,

 

mine is 141'000 miles 330 hp used every day rewired fans and fuel pump running closed loop no issues in 20'000 miles really very reliable

 

.It sounds tempting this closed loop. Dont you also get better mpg. How does it work then.is it 1n2 fire together n 3n4 fire together.

 

Closed loop is nothing to do with ignition, a coilpack generates a stronger spark, and is a wasted spark system firing 1+4 2+3 together.
Closed loop is metrely having a lambda sensor in the exhaust and this reports oxygen content back to the ecu which then adjusts as necessary, it ius read again, reported back to ecu, and goes over and over forming a loop of info reporting and feedback.
This then ensures that the car is always at the figures programmed in.
You can still get ace economy and running without though if set up correctly, depends a lot on what sort of driver you are, and conditions.
tabetha

 

Hi,

This thing about being unreliable is not true. The cars only become unreliable because people, who do not know what there doing mess around with them and then for some unknown reason moan and brand them as "unreliable" when they then meltdown/breakdown.

As already said these cars are old now and a couple of the electric circuits such as the fuel pump is best rewired as old age gets the better of it. Also the fan could do with a new circuit being made as this was on the edge to start with and most cars the fuse actually melted along with the fusebox.

Wasted spark basically brings the ignition system into the 21st century as of that you would find on a modern car, the benefits are better spark, no misfires etc which are common problems on these cars.

Closed loop uses a lamba sensor and gives feedback to the ECU as to the air quantity in the exhaust this information can then be used to fine tune the fuel delivery and hence better fuel economy.

Kind regards,

Martin.

 

Mines been a daily driver for the last 10 months with no problems other than general maintenance or problems other people have neglected.Its not mint by anyones standard but its never failed to start,imo you just have to keep your eyes open for general wear and tear.Old car/old parts.

 

So true.Went too look at a cossie on the weekend that some bloke had messed with himself hoping to get it to 380hp by just putting injectors in and chip then off round the block to see how fast it was,it broke down! Then moaned about the car. Wouldnt listen to a word i was telling him.Said to me he only wants it to last til the end of the summer,didnt last til the end of the day.