Power Problems, Bad Starting Too

[Guest NewbieGalaxyOwner]

Can anybody outhere help ?

 

Problem : The car is very sluggish on acceleration and eratic idleing. We are also having intermittent problems starting.

 

We have had the car serviced at the local AA service centre, and was told that it had been topped up with the wring grade oil. half litre max i think and that was the cause of the problems.

 

Since then the AA have been called out and i have replaced the battery with a heavy duty type from Halfords.

 

The car seems to be settling down but still has eratic starting and seems to max at 3000 revs in 4/5 gear at top speeed occasionally.

 

I suspect a fuel problem or an air/breather problem but i like some advice before i hand it over to ford

[seatkid]

We have had the car serviced at the local AA service centre, and was told that it had been topped up with the wring grade oil. half litre max i think and that was the cause of the problems.

I think someone at the AA service centre is pulling your leg :)

 

Could be one (or maybe two if your unlucky) of a long list:

 

Electrical faults: Plugs/leads/coil/ecu

Fuel system:Filter/pump/fuel injection system

Engine damage: cambelt timing/burnt/bent valves

 

Don't drive it if it is erratic, (not firing on all 4 cylinders), you could easily damage your catalytic converter ( :D very expensive....)

[Guest NewbieGalaxyOwner]

thanks for the advice.

 

Things are settling down a little now.

 

the engine sparks up first go now, but if it doesnt catch first time it floods !

 

I have to turn it over with the accelerator flat down to get it to turn over, its a slow and combersome start too. but once its going and revved up its away.

 

Still sounds very rough at idle speed

[seatkid]

thanks for the advice.

 

Things are settling down a little now.

 

the engine sparks up first go now, but if it doesnt catch first time it floods !

 

I have to turn it over with the accelerator flat down to get it to turn over, its a slow and combersome start too. but once its going and revved up its away.

 

Still sounds very rough at idle speed

Sounds most likely an ignition problem.

 

When its idling rough, pull off one spark lead from its plug (warning, make sure they're dry - you might get a kick! - Wear rubber gloves if youre a nervous type). if the engine roughness increases dramatically or it stalls - that plug/lead/coil is most likely OK. Reconnect lead and continue for other three leads...until...If there is little or no change in roughness, you found the faulty plug/lead/coil.

 

To eliminate the lead, pull off at either end and bodge up a bit of cable (mains cable will do) between coil and plug. Retry engine.

 

If that dont do nothing then carefully lift (use insulated pliers) the wire off spark plug end and hold near engine block (metal bit please) - do you get a nice fat blue spark? (1 cm) - if you dont get anything or a feeble red/orange tick its the coil.

Otherwise plug. If plugs havent been changed in a while, change them all.

 

You might be unlucky and have 2 faults, which can sometimes be tricky to find.

 

Plugs/leads favourite candidates.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

...or get someone like Home-Tune or Tune-Up to come round, as you get the chance to watch them as they conduct their various tests to pinpoint the trouble.

[Guest NewbieGalaxyOwner]

:D

 

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