2.0 MPi L Plate Intermittent Problem

Hi.
We have a 2.0 mpi disco on the L plate that we use for towing a trailer. Since we bought it (6 months ago) it as returned a ridiculous MPG (£70 returns 130 miles, approx 9 MPG I think).

Also it has this problem everyday that goes as follows:

Car starts first time everytime. Pull off, drive 3/10th of a mile and car starts to misfire (sounds like its running on 3, I have changed plugs btw).
Then after about another 2/10th of a mile it will stop, I will turn it over and the car turns over very very quickly but doesnt start for about 10 seconds. Then it starts, judders for another 2/10ths of a mile and then it can be fine for the rest of the day (except for the ridiculous MPG).

I have changed the Fuel Temp Sensor on the injector rail as I was lead to beleive this was the favourite for the problem but it did'nt help.

One more thing, the temp guage inside very rarely gets above half and then it takes an eternity to do so, could it be linked???

Thanks

Had broadly similar issues with my Rover 820 Vitesse (pretty much the same engine but with a turbo).

Probably the coolant temp sensor although I'd replace the thermostat too (both are cheap). Check the small bore vacuum pipe running from the inlet manifold to the ECU is clear as well.

Just make sure you get the right temp thermostat for a Rover T16 engine as not all are as per spec (should be 88 degrees C IIRC).

Go to www.rovertech.net and ask on there. What they don't know about Rover T16 isn't worth knowing.

Hope that helps?

Malcolm

thanks very much for your response. I will look into it now.

Cheers

Pleasure - do double-check on Rovertech though as I'm no expert at curing erratic running!!!

Cheers!

Malcolm