View Full Version : Engine problems, HELP!
sulphur
03-03-09, 06:39 PM
Basically, the thing sounds like a subaru, and has very little power. Could this be a block or hole in the exhaust?
I tried pulling the spark plugs, 1 was no change, 2 dipped in revs, 3 dipped more, and 4 nearly died.
Is my HG gone? How do I fix this?:cry:
Desperatley need it fixed to get to work tomorrow. :cry::cry::cry:
Have you lost coolant,what car is it?
sulphur
03-03-09, 06:42 PM
nova, 1400sr. No coolant lost.
Most probably rotor arm/and or dizzy cap then.Check for water in there aswell as it siled it down today,i guess it was the same near you? Halfords usually stock rotor arms
sulphur
03-03-09, 06:45 PM
A mate reckoned it could be cylinder one gone, with no compression..hence soundin like a subaru.
When they misfire they also sound like that though
meritlover
03-03-09, 07:20 PM
sounds like you need to remove the plug and test for a spark, or use a timing/strobe light to make sure its firing, if its not it could be a cracked distributor cap or a bad lead.
you can only guess the failure cause on the internet.
so buy a compression tester if the above results are ok.
or just pull the head off, its a 30 min job even if you dont know what youre doing.
sulphur
03-03-09, 07:20 PM
Checking the leads, all leads have spark. So does that not eliminate the chance of it being the rotor arm, cos the leads n plugs are doing their job?
Does the above mean that cylinder 1 is gone?
meritlover
03-03-09, 07:23 PM
its certainly pointing to no1 being the fault (thats no.1 being the one nearest the timing belt)
have you removed the plug?
sulphur
03-03-09, 07:24 PM
The leads are all new, and all leads spark.
sulphur
03-03-09, 07:24 PM
Not yet, can't find the right sized socket. lol
sulphur
03-03-09, 07:25 PM
what am i lookin for when i remove the plug?
meritlover
03-03-09, 07:27 PM
whilst it is not outwith the realms of possibility the head gasket has gone, its best to be absolutely certain its not just anymore than a coked plug.
even if it is a headgastet is £8 and bolts are £12 but if you are really poor or stuck for time/parts, you can reuse the bolts for the time being (even though you shouldnt)
16v Nova Kev
03-03-09, 07:27 PM
coil or headgasket
meritlover
03-03-09, 07:31 PM
what am i lookin for when i remove the plug?
sounds like you dont have many tools, so shove the removed plug into the lead and sit it on the block. have someone crank over the engine and check it sparks cleanly and brightly off the electrode. if it doesnt try another plug. if it is sparking it could still be the plug is breaking down under compression, so if you dont have a spare, switch it with No.4 for instance and repeat your first test you did.
sulphur
03-03-09, 07:38 PM
The plugs are brand new, as are the leads. Should it break down this quick?
sulphur
03-03-09, 07:39 PM
There's spark going from the lead to the plug on 1, if i remove the supressor, an lightly let the spring touch the plug it sparks, as do all of them. Equal sparks all accross
Headgasket, scrap the ****ing ****ter
meritlover
03-03-09, 07:50 PM
coil or headgasket
coil is common to all 4 plugs so wouldnt think it was that
meritlover
03-03-09, 07:51 PM
There's spark going from the lead to the plug on 1, if i remove the supressor, an lightly let the spring touch the plug it sparks, as do all of them. Equal sparks all accross
there should be no spark coming from the lead.:confused:
it will jump if its close enough. id also say, spuds did similar and it was the carb...
sulphur
03-03-09, 07:54 PM
well is the spark not from the plug to the spring on the suppressor?
sulphur
03-03-09, 07:54 PM
The carb was only set up recently, like a few weeks back, weber 32/34 and should all be good.
howelse is a spark going to get to the plug then lol... it cant use bluetooth.
meritlover
03-03-09, 08:01 PM
there should be no spark off the lead, the spark should only go across the gap on the plug.
have you not got your old leads to try?
sulphur
03-03-09, 08:07 PM
nah, threw my old leads. you reckon all this could be caused by one buggered plug? Just pulled the it out, and its black at the tip, as opposed to the rest being white at the tip...i'm assuming this ones buggered?
sulphur
03-03-09, 08:12 PM
Just swapped plug 1 with plug 2, and tried removing the leads with them switched, and the plug from 1 is still not effecting the engine when removed, so this is the dodgy plug...that's causing all my problems??
meritlover
03-03-09, 08:12 PM
not necessarily. if the plug is missing, then it will carbonise up.
swap the plug and lead for another like no.2 if your lucky itl stretch
meritlover
03-03-09, 08:13 PM
Just swapped plug 1 with plug 2, and tried removing the leads with them switched, and the plug from 1 is still not effecting the engine when removed, so this is the dodgy plug...that's causing all my problems??
sounds like it. if the fault has jumped to no.2 then its the plug or lead from no.1 thats at fault.
sulphur
03-03-09, 08:16 PM
where can i get new plugs at this time of night? lol
meritlover
03-03-09, 08:19 PM
some petrol stations
just get one with the same thread and length (or shorter) that will do you until you get the proper ones
sulphur
03-03-09, 08:20 PM
So you reckon this is the cause? I'm ****ing hoping so cos i need it for work :(
meritlover
03-03-09, 08:22 PM
well lets recap....
you had a problem on no.1 cylinder,
you swapped the plug and lead for ones on no.2
and the fault moved to cylinder 2? is that right?
the last thing to do is to keep the plugs in the same place and swap the leads back.
this will tell you if its the plug or lead thats at fault.
Meritlover,
I have the passion
my toolbox...... halfords poss..
meritlover
03-03-09, 08:28 PM
take one out your lawnmower.
it will be short reach, but the thread should be the same.
take one out your lawnmower.
it will be short reach, but the thread should be the same.
Meritlover, i once had a nova with lawnmower plugs in, it wouldn't run.....at all.....
meritlover
03-03-09, 08:32 PM
Meritlover, i once had a nova with lawnmower plugs in, it wouldn't run.....at all.....
unlucky
unlucky
No not really, bought it as a none-runner, put new plugs in sold for £250 more than i paid for it.
meritlover
03-03-09, 08:35 PM
No not really, bought it as a none-runner, put new plugs in sold for £250 more than i paid for it.
you win some you loose some
sulphur
03-03-09, 09:16 PM
OK just been out and can't find anywhere selling them. Any ideas? I usually leave for work at 6 so waiting for halfords or any auto spares shop at 8.30 is something I'd ideally like to avoid.
Reckon it'd be able to limp 35miles to my work site, 'cos there's a halfords accross the road..?
deanwilko
03-03-09, 09:39 PM
plug on number 1 probly ****ted up change the plugs
sulphur
03-03-09, 09:41 PM
I'm trying to find some plugs. Anyone got some? That I can have/buy/borrow....NOW?! :)
meritlover
03-03-09, 11:10 PM
clean it in petrol dry it out, and wire brush it. thats about the best you can do. not ideal as they say you shouldnt wire brush plugs, but ive done it for years.
you might get lucky
meritlover
04-03-09, 10:33 PM
did this get fixed?
sulphur
04-03-09, 10:44 PM
Ah, forgot to post. It did, this morning. Had to run it to work on the buggered plug, got 2 new plugs 'cos it fried another plug on the way there lol
2 new plugs, and all is decent again, although it still feels like its holding back at some points, but makes itself right again. :wtf:
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