Multiple Breakdowns Au Ute

mitchelliib · 05-04-2007, 08:12 AM

Hey,

Having alot of trouble with my AU 1 tonne ute, its a 2000 model.

Whenever the car heats up the engine dies! then it wont start for about 5 minutes after that. It broke down about 7 times on the way home the other day. I had it completely re-wired at the auto elec because the fuse box was stuffed but that didnt fix the problem.. but yeah it only seems to happen on a hot day or when the car has been going for a while.. Im thinking something to do with the fuel lines??? any help would be great coz the mechanics didnt!

ubeaut302 · 12-04-2007, 11:31 PM

I'm new to the forums so g'day to everyone.
I may be a bit late by the date you posted but If you can check to see if there is any spark from the plugs when it dies so you can rule out the ignition system. (Be careful not to get booted by the spark!) If it has no spark, then it is most likely a sensor, possibily the CKP or crankshaft sensor, which cause problems like that. Does it loose power slowly or just cut out dead ? It could also be the fuel pump playing up. Hot days make it worse and a lower fuel level in the tank adds to problem, as there is little or no fuel to keep the already sick pump cool.

peterban · 13-04-2007, 12:04 AM

I vote for fuel pump

au2sw · 13-04-2007, 06:24 AM

my guess would not be fuel pump, as thats in the petrol tank and not affected by engine temp. also, your still able to drive until the car gets hot. what does your temp guage show when it dies? it may have something to do with the cooling system and the ecu is shutting the engine down when it gets to hot to prevent a costly repair. check your coolant condition and level (how long ago did you get the coolant changed?) check your thermostat - put it in a pot of water and turn your stove on full, place a thermometer in the water and watch the thermostat, it should open between 80 and 90 degrees. the lower the better, but too low is no good, and too high no good. 85 is usually best. if these things are ok, get your radiator checked out, it may require a core clean which involves removing the tanks from the radiator and a full flush. a block flush would be good to do at the same time. but these are only if your engine temp is getting high. other then that, it may simply be a fuel pressure problem, a new petrol cap may fix it. id try that before going for the pump.

peterban · 13-04-2007, 01:48 PM

I am still thinking fuel pump as usually if its overheating problem the Au motor doesn't completely shut down, it would shut the cylinders down one by one making the motor run crappy for awhile before a complete shutdown.

I think the fuel pump might be running hot after awhile and then not supplying the fuel correctly. Cools down and then is O.K again for awhile. Also seems worse on hot days.

Have had this problem in my family's AU wagon and a new fuel pump fixed the problem.
I agree that the fuel cap may be at fault and would be a cheap thing to try first.

**Mechan1k** · 14-04-2007, 09:40 AM

Might be worthwhile checking the Cylinder Head Temp sensor ... if not reading properly sends the ECU haywire ... and starts shutting things down on you ... even puts the auto into limp home mode as well.

If Dedicated LPG though ... there is no cylinder shutdown at all ... due to backfiring issues.

Only the petrol models have this feature.

**gregaust** · 14-04-2007, 05:48 PM

Crank angle sensor....