Help! :-( 2.0ltr Petrol Running Lumpy

[ablaze79]

Hello all!

I own a 1997, R Reg, Seat Alhambra, 2.0ltr Manual, Petrol.

Only bought it about 3 weeks ago from a dealer.

On the test drive I noticed that it didn't accelerate smoothly, but seemed to tick over fine when idling.

The dealer said that they'd washed the engine & that it was proberbly alittle damp, nothing to worry about.

Since then, sometimes I jump in and it runs perfectly.. Good acceleration, no jerking or lumpyness, other times it runs really lumpy, as if it's about to run out of fuel.

When turning the key to start the engine, if I start it as you would a normal engine, it cranks 4-5 times before firing, if I turn the key from off to starting in one swift movement, it fires straight away.

I drove it to my regular mechanic and asked him to look over it quickly.. The first thing he pointed out, was that the plugs were shot and that I had a corroded ht lead. He replaced the plugs and cleaned out the lead.

I've since cleaned out the distributer cap too, as there had been plenty of arcing.

The engine still runs lumpy 50% of the time. I've checked the distributer cap again yesterday, no signs of arcing.

Moreoften than not, the engine is now surging when ideling/standing.

What I don't understand, is why at any given time of day or state of engine temperature.. I can start and it may drive perfectly normal.

Please note, if it starts and drives fine, it remains fine for the remainder of the journey.

If it starts and runs lumpy, it runs lumpy for the remainder of the journey.

I'm told it was serviced only 4 thousand miles ago.

Any recommendations from previous experience, GREATLY APPRECIATED.

I'm currently broke and cannot afford to waste any money on resolving this issue.

Thankyou!! Apollo

apolloblaze@hotmail.com

[frogeye]

Hi,

 

You could try unplugging you MAF sensor and seeing if things improve. I spent a few hundred quid on my 2.0 P-reg gal doing spark plugs, leads, coil packs and it eventually ended up being the MAF sensor that was causing the problems. Just unplug the lead and wrap it in a bit of clingfilm, obviously if this does the trick then you should replace the MAF (

Edited February 21, 2010 by frogeye

[seatkid]

Seat Alhambra uses VW 2.0 litre petrol engine not Ford. Dont think it has a MAF. Suggest you change the HT leads, distributor cap and rotor.

[frogeye]

Seat Alhambra uses VW 2.0 litre petrol engine not Ford. Dont think it has a MAF. Suggest you change the HT leads, distributor cap and rotor.

 

whoops!

[gregers]

first thing i wouldve done was take it back to the dealer,but hey ho.

youve bought a car and then spent more money on it and youve only had it 3 weeks,

what sort of warrenty did you get with it?new mot?service?

hope you get it sorted and it doesnt cost you much to do it.

[ablaze79]

first thing i wouldve done was take it back to the dealer,but hey ho.

youve bought a car and then spent more money on it and youve only had it 3 weeks,

what sort of warrenty did you get with it?new mot?service?

hope you get it sorted and it doesnt cost you much to do it.

Lol!:-)

It's all a question of finances!! I used to own a lovely 1.9tdi a few years ago & would have loved to buy another TDI this time round!!! However this time round I didn't have the same

[gregers]

the reason for my response was,if bought with a service etc from what you have posted doesnt sound to me that it had?

 

and yes you are right about them being a versatile car :25:

[ablaze79]

the reason for my response was,if bought with a service etc from what you have posted doesnt sound to me that it had?

 

and yes you are right about them being a versatile car ;)

Sorry! Jus re-read your post. I see you wernt being negative as I thought. I agree, it can't have been properly serviced, prob only oil & filter changes.

We move house this weekend, I've bought roof bars again & the Alhambra will be a removals vehicle!