Cossie, ensuring reliability
27-01-2009, 09:01 AM
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Cossie, ensuring reliability
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...
How would you keep a standard one reliable?
What are most likely areas for causing a breakdown?
Cheers...
27-01-2009, 09:10 AM
#4
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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.
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.
27-01-2009, 09:18 AM
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27-01-2009, 09:22 AM
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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.
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.
27-01-2009, 10:25 AM
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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!
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!
27-01-2009, 10:43 AM
#12
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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.
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.
27-01-2009, 11:03 AM
#14
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.
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.
27-01-2009, 11:19 AM
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27-01-2009, 11:34 AM
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27-01-2009, 11:46 AM
#17
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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 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
27-01-2009, 02:28 PM
#18
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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.
27-01-2009, 02:50 PM
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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.
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.
27-01-2009, 05:31 PM
#21
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
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
27-01-2009, 07:52 PM
#30
20K+ Super Poster.
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
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
27-01-2009, 07:54 PM
#31
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.
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.
27-01-2009, 08:12 PM
#32
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.
27-01-2009, 11:20 PM
#33
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.
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.
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