Why does my Honda CRV take long to start?

Hi Paul,
Thank you for the educational topics on cars. I have an AE100 1993 model that seems to be ageing. Last year it stalled and the mechanic changed the computer but instead put in the computer for a Corsa. Ever since then, it does not change gears so easily and the RPM is always above 2 when driving. I was thinking of changing the engine because it had never been overhauled and I thought it could be the cause. What could be the problem? Should I change the engine? Is it possible to change the engine and the car works very well or its better I dispose of the car?
Godfrey

Godfrey, the engine computer your mechanic replaced is a combo and has a transmission control module attached to it. These computers are designed to work with specific engine sizes and gearbox ratios. Using a control module (computer) for another engine or transmission specification (cylinder size and fuel delivery type) causes poor engine and automatic gearbox performance. You need to match the part number of the old computer with the new one. Another engine will not work as well as it should if the computer is still the wrong one.

Dear Paul, the check engine light of my corolla is on and the garage computer says it is as a result of the air- fuel mixture sensor and I cannot get the part locally as the car was imported from Canada.What should I do?
Valensio

Valensio, that is a Manifold Absolute Pressure sensor. You can order it through Toyota Uganda and it will take about one month to get here. Alternatively, a friend in UK or Dubai can buy it for you and it will be here in a few days. But before you buy this sensor, ask your mechanic to confirm that there is no vacuum leak on the intake manifold. Such a leakage can cause the MAP sensor fault as it reports a vacuum leak on the intake manifold.

Dear Paul,
I have a 2000 Honda CRV which developed a problem. Whenever I start it in the morning, it takes long to start. It starts faster if you give it some little gas by racing it.
I have changed the Fuel filter, Engine Oil, Fuel Pump and gearbox fluid but the problem still persists. What should I do?
Rogers.

Hello Rogers, your mechanic needs to take a closer look at the throttle potentiometer. Ask him to examine the throttle valve in case it’s sticking due to accumulated deposits or soot. Ensure that the throttle or accelerator cable and linkages are not damaged, worn out or sticking. The fact that you have to kick the gas pedal to improve your cold starts might have something to do with a faulty throttle. A quick computer diagnosis to rule out a faulty coolant temperature sensor is also necessary as it can prevent the engine computer from initiating the cold start fuel enrichment which necessitates you manually pumping the gas pedal. That should fix the problem.

Hi Paul, thank you for your advise on automobiles that runs in the Daily Monitor every Thursday. Recently,I imported a Mercedes Benz C 200 from Japan. However, whilst my mechanic was driving it from Mombasa he realised that the engine was heating up because the fans were not operating normally as they should.He then decided to connect the fan directly.Kindly advise what the problem could be and the solution t. Alfred

Hi Alfred, your Mercedes C200 engine has an electric fan blower motor which should alter speeds 1-4 depending on the engine temperature range. In other words the hotter the engine, the faster the blower motor. This blower motor has an electric control unit or module fitted under the left wheel arch panel. This unit relies on information from the coolant temperature sensor to regulate the fan’s speeds as the engine should be kept at the normal operating temperature range of 80 degrees centigrade. Bypassing the fan speed control function means that your engine fan runs at one speed so it is either under cooled or overcooled. This can damage the engine cylinder head in the long run as it will not be operating in the normal temperature range. Use a diagnostic computor to check the coolant temperature sensor or fan control module. Replace the faulty part to sort out the problem

Ask the mechanic
By Paul Kaganzi
0772316145
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