P1800 / P1800ES

1961-1973 / Coupe / Shooting Brake / Sweden

All P1800 / P1800ES problems All workshop issues

Common Fuel System

SU carburettor issues (B18)

Symptoms

Poor idle, flat spots, hesitation, black smoke, fuel smell, poor starting.

Cause

The SU carbs on early P1800s are simple but need maintenance. Jets wear, needles wear, diaphragms split, float needles stick. Old fuel varnishes everything. Most owners don't understand how SUs work and make it worse.

Fix

Strip, clean, rebuild.

Replace the diaphragms, needles, jets, float valves.

Set the float height correctly.

Balance the carbs with a Unisyn or similar tool.

There's a learning curve, but once you've done it a few times it's straightforward.

Budget $200-300 for a rebuild kit.

Cost mentioned in fix

Budget $200-300 for a

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Other known issues

Common Fuel System

Fuel tank rust and sediment

Fuel starvation, clogged filters, rough running, won't start. Brown gunk in the fuel filter.

Critical Fuel System

Fuel pump failure (mechanical and electric)

Engine cuts out, won't restart, or runs lean and misfires. You might hear the electric pump ticking rapidly or not at all.

Critical Fuel System

Fuel line corrosion and leaks

Fuel smell, visible drips, puddles under the car. Sometimes a rough idle or hesitation if air is being drawn in.

Common Engine

Oil leaks from rear main seal

Oil weeps or pours from the back of the engine, usually visible around the bellhousing. Can soak the clutch on manual cars.

Common Engine

Piston ring wear and oil consumption (B18/B20)

Blue smoke on startup or under load. Engine uses a litre of oil every 500-1000 km. Exhaust tips go black and sooty.

Common Engine

Timing gear wear and rattle (B18)

Rattling or chattering noise from the front of the engine, especially on cold start or at idle. Sometimes a metallic ticking that doesn't go away when warm.

View all 28 P1800 / P1800ES problems