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My R4 Problems

Z

Zdan

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hi there, im new to the forum but ive had a R4 for about 18 months that i inherited from my grandfather.

its been a bucket of problems, it was doing 16liters per 100km, after oil and filter changes i managed to get it down to 10, still too much, now im having another problem, the refrigerating liquid for the engine keeps disappearing and ive detected rust powder on the refrigeration "bottle" (sorry, english is a bit bad). anyone know what it might be and a DIY solution cause around here a mechanic wants to charge me75€ just to take a look at it and im currently unemployed

thanks
 
Hi and welcome Zdan,

I'm also new to the forum and have just sent my first post and i don't even have a 4 (yet!).

Sounds like very excessive fuel consumption but i'm sure someone with come along with advise for you to avoid these expensive mechanic's charges!

Roger
 
Rust in coolant is normal when the car was filled with water for some time, it shouldn't be a problem.

If the coolant doesnt leak outside ( sometimes hard to see as it dries very
quickly, ) it might be faulty head gasket and the coolant gets to cylinder. It would explain fuel consumption because the engine would be weaker then.
Check the cooland, if there are bubbles in the expansion tank
Compression test would be advisable too.

Fuel consumption may also be high because of brakes or bearing malfunction, carburettor needing repair or adjusting / fixing distributor

Does the engine take oil ? tell us more about exhaust fumes (color, on low and high rpms)
 
engine does not seem to consume any oil, i cant see fumes on low rpms, later today ill try on high rpms, the wall behind the car where i park does have a black "stain" from the exhaust fumes
 
Hi Zdan, you need to get down to 6 or 7 liters per 100km

If you have a black spot on the wall then definitely your fuel mix is to rich.

What kind of carburetor do you have? it probably needs adjusting. is there a place where you can get an emission test?

good luck
 
i have no idea on the kind of carburetor (i dont really know alot about cars...) and to test emissions only when i do an MOT, and it passed the MOT in July, about the fumes in high rpms, it has a bit, a dark shade of grey.

im also changing the fuel cap as it seems as the old one is a bit loose, might be loosing gas there maybe
 
If the engine runs great , has no problems starting, has a lot of power and the only problem is fuel consumption then maybe you shouldn't be worried.
It's like with babies- The're eating a lot when they're healthy ;)


Check if you can push the car easily and if the brakes are hot after a short ride.
 
hummm what happens sometimes is if i park in a downhill he slides, even with handbrake on and on reverse. not a continuous slide but like in 1 second spaces
 
So probably the brakes need adjusting but are not siezed to be causing the fuel consumption
 
so, after much searching i cant find single fuel cap in portugal for sale, anyone knows where i can get one and prices?
 
Hi Zdan
have a look at the inside of your petrol cap. There is supposed to be a rubber gasket. That might be missing, causing your cap to be loose. If it's missing I'm sure you can make your own. You don't need to buy another one.
It's also easy to adjust your handbrake. I've just done mine. I'll send you a photo tomorrow
 
the rubber is dried but the problem is the petrol escapes by the keyhole on an uphill aswell.

and thx for the handbrake thing
 
I don't think that so big fuel consumption might be caused by vaporating fuel ( especially thorugh the keyhole )
 
Hi Zdan
here is the photo of the handbrake lever. you will notice that there are 3 holes in the round bar.

You might find that the hook on your car goes through the first hole on the left, at the end of the round bar.

Let your handbrake out, then put the hook into the middle hole. That will make your handbrake tighter.

How did you pass your MOT in June/July if your handbrake was faulty?
 
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ok, just been to the car, i dont have that part, i have a flexible ruber tube that goes to the bottom of the car and then just a steel cable that goes to the back wheels. my car's handbrakes is on the steering colum btw, dont know if that makes a difference
 
Zdan, at the end of the flexible rubber there is an adjuster, BUT I think you should get a mechanic to look at your brakes.
Good brakes may save your life one day, so don't mess with them. I only did my own brakes after 30 years of driving
 
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