Intensive maintenance
If, from the time the vehicle is new, the routine maintenance schedule is followed closely and frequent checks are made of fluid levels and high wear items, as suggested throughout this manual, the engine will be kept in relatively good running condition and the need for additional work will be minimised.
It is possible that there will be times when the engine is running poorly due to the lack of regular maintenance. This is even more likely if a used vehicle, which has not received regular and frequent maintenance checks, is purchased. In such cases, additional work may need to be carried out, outside of the regular maintenance intervals.
If engine wear is suspected, a compression test will provide valuable information regarding the overall performance of the main internal components. Such a test can be used as a basis to decide on the extent of the work to be carried out. If for example a compression test indicates serious internal engine wear, conventional maintenance as described in this Chapter will not greatly improve the performance of the engine, and may prove a waste of time and money, unless extensive overhaul work is carried out first.
The following series of operations are those most often required to improve the performance of a generally poor-running engine.
a) Clean, inspect and test the battery (Section 5).
b) Check the levels of all the engine related fluids (Section 3).
c) Check the condition and tension of the alternator drivebelt (Section 20).
d) Check the condition of the spark plugs and renew if necessary (Section 15).
e) Check the condition of the air cleaner element, and renew if necessary (Sec- tion 34).
f) Check the condition of all hoses and check for fluid leaks.
g) Check and if necessary adjust the idle speed (where possible) (Section 10).
See also:
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor - removal and refitting
Removal
1 The ECT sensor is screwed into the inlet
manifold.
2 Disconnect the battery negative lead.
3 Partially drain the cooling system as
described in Chapter 1.
4 Disconnect the sensor wirin ...
Radio/cassette player - removal and refitting
Standard fixing
1 Disconnect the battery negative lead.
2 Pull off the two control knob assemblies.
3 Release the trim panel by unscrewing the
two securing nuts from the control spindles.
Remove ...
Front suspension crossmember - removal and refitting
Removal
1 Remove the steering gear.
2 Support the engine with a jack and
interposed block of wood under the sump.
3 Unscrew and remove the engine mounting
nuts from the top of the mountings in th ...