Hi Guys,
well I collected the car from the mechanic this afternoon and it is going great. First time it has lit up the tyres for a long time!!
It was a collection of issues, mainly to do with the sensors, vacuum hoses and injectors.
He redid the injectors and said they were not real bad, but it was worth having them done.
He found a split vacuum hose on the VSV - pressure regulator which was allowing it to suck air, and he found the air flow sensor dirty. He replaced a couple of hoses and cut off the ends of others to find good rubber.
He checked the plugs, leads, distributer cap timing , all OK. Also re adjusted the idle mixture and that was that.!!
Turnturn, well done buddy, you were on the money with your suggestion.
Pig75 you were right also about the TPS being a switch, not a sensor. I was thinking of it as a sensor and was looking for its values. The Gregorys' autofix w/shop manual I have refers to it as a switch.
Pig75 and kcsoft, thanks for the input; I appreciated your help and suggestions.
I heard a term the other day about "running out of ability". While it was not to do with cars, it fits this instance, as the complications of fuel injection and emission controls are things that I have not had to grapple with previously. I was at the end of my ability, especially without a decent manual.!
Keep up the good work guys, it is great to have blokes like you that are willing to take the time to share their knowledge to help someone they only know via a forum.
cheers
sails