C20XE "missing"?????

[Adam*D]

Help I don't know what to check next! it's had new plugs, leads, dizzy cap, rotor arm, AFM. It was running mint then it started missing, I've checked everything I can think of so any ideas people?

[burgo]

have you tried removing 1 lead at a time to find out if its missing on one cylinder or if its missing on all

[Adam*D]

it will idle all day long, if I'm gentle with the throttle it wont miss but say if I pull out from a junction and put my foot down it just miss fires so I think it's missing on all pots?????

[burgo]

when you say youve checked your airflow meter what exactly have you done to check it?

[chimp007_uk]

air leak?

[loggyboy]

try a new Idle control valve.

;)

[Adam*D]

when you say youve checked your airflow meter what exactly have you done to check it?

I bought a new 1 !

[Adam*D]

air leak?

Where should I check for an air leak. Come to think of it, it has started making like a squeeling, high pitched noise so I think you could be right! Have no idea where it's coming from tho:mad:

[burgo]

only real way to fine out is to get it to the point it is making the "squeeling" and then follow your ear

[chimp007_uk]

get some wd40 or carb cleaner and spray around the intake hose and manifold and see if the engien starts to run slightly rough...

check vacuum hoses as well.

[craig green]

My old fave.... EARTH.

Connect a large power wire from the alternator body/tension brkt to the -ve battery terminal.

Take it for a thrash & let me know how it goes.

[chimp007_uk]

pretty sure of yourself there craig lol

[craig green]

Oh yeah! :D

Just a shame he had to waste alll that time on AFM's & other shizzle. Worth doing the rotor arm etc though IMO.

Whilst you are meddling, clean up the contacts & terminals on the fuel pump (unless its internal) & freshen up all the earths around the car. Does a world of good to the electrical system.

[chimp007_uk]

you ok fitting through door ways? lol

[craig green]

I usually shout through an outside window! :D

[Adam*D]

My old fave.... EARTH.

Connect a large power wire from the alternator body/tension brkt to the -ve battery terminal.

Take it for a thrash & let me know how it goes.

I've been out and tried this mate. It defo ran alot better for a couple of mins but now it's back to being just the same. I'm going to take all the earths off and give them a bit of a spruce up because like I say it did run smooth for a couple of mins. Thanks for the advice.

[chimp007_uk]

i made up some new earths when iw as working at a electrical engineering place...

made a hell of a difference when fitted! i wouldn't bother doing anything witht eh old ones, they're 20 odd years old... get some new earth straps.

[Adam*D]

Anyone have an idea of how many earths their is on a red top?

[chimp007_uk]

alternator, gear box and one from the battery to the firewall. i think thats all, same as any normal nova.

[gunny]

loom, ive had 2 dead looms causing the same problem

[craig green]

There are earths for the loom onto the fuel rail area IIRC.

I deffo would ditch any old earth straps etc. My diesel threw a wobbler last year. It turned out to be the g/box earth strap which looked fine yet when I tugged on it, it disentegrated into copper powder.

Maybe try earthing the engine block, via an engine mount bolt hole.

Did you earth the alt body or the tension arm?

If you have an auto electrical or battery specialist, get them to check the alternator output or power drain when its running.

[Adam*D]

I cleaned up the alt tensioner and ran a new earth from there. I done a new earth from the gearbox, alt, fuel rail and car body all to the battery -ve and it's still the same. I love this car when it runs as I've upset quite a few "faster" cars but when it behaves like this I feel like busting it for spares! (couldn't do it really)

[loggyboy]

Have you done the idle valve yet? They are notorious for playing up.
They can be taken from loads of other vauxhalls, 2.0 8v, v6s, (not 2.0 16v ecotecs) ive even found one in a Volvo with an identical bosch part number.

[Adam*D]

Have you done the idle valve yet? They are notorious for playing up.
They can be taken from loads of other vauxhalls, 2.0 8v, v6s, (not 2.0 16v ecotecs) ive even found one in a Volvo with an identical bosch part number.


I haven't changed the idle valve yet mate, about the only thing I haven't tho:roll: this wouldn't make it miss fire tho would it?

[craig green]

What are the spark plugs like? Gapped properly? Very old?

[Adam*D]

The spark plugs are brand new! as are the plug leads, dizzy cap, rotor arm, all the earths, coolant temp sensor and AFM. I've just had the timing belt cover off and made sure everything was lined up propper, I've also tested the coil so I know this is good. I've now ran out of ideas and it's really peeing me off. I've spent a fortune on this motor and it still won't work!

[chimp007_uk]

you check for air leaks? and splits in the intake pipes and vacuums?

[Adam*D]

Just been out and removed the plugs and found them to be soaking wet with water NOT petrol????? I have no idea how this has happened? looked like rain water as my coolant is bright blue, anyway I dried them off and refitted and she started 1st crack and no missing!!!!! took it for a blast and it goes like fooooook!. Thanks for all the advice, without you I'd still be scratching my head.

[s14a]

so what was the cause lad??
i know you say the plugs were wet, i have the same problem so im interested...

[Adam*D]

No idea how they got wet??? I was out for a couple of hrs in it last night and all is still well, I'm off to work in it now!. If I ever find the cause I'll let you know.

[craig green]

Next time you go to the car in the am (morning. Before starting her up, remove plug(s) & inspect for water again.

My guess is that if there is condensation on the plugs, then your head gasket is weeping into the cylinders.

[Adam*D]

Head gasket, that wasn't what I wanted to hear! that would be coolant tho wouldn't it? it was not coolant that was on my plugs tho, more like rain!