Its broken...sort of!

**andy10v** · 16 February 2012, 20:57

On the 3b you can see if its missing on one cylinder by just unplugging the plug leads and if unplugging one makes no change you have an issue with that one, be it plug, injector etc.

It is not unknown for a plug to work loose, giving a missfire. I had this when I bought my 3b, nipped up and sorted.

I would imagine unplugging injectors would do the same.

**WabTheKing** · 16 February 2012, 21:00

Originally posted by jay walker

Please may someone help. ive just been out in the car, gave it a bit of throttle and it all went wrong.

the car suddenly lost power, i would suggest down about 20-30% power and started 'warbling'. it now sounds like a subaru. there is a burning smell, which i think is coming from the engine bay. my initial thoughts are its firing on 4 cylinders, but any other suggestions will be investigated at first light.

also what is the best way to test if its miss firing? can i just unplug the injectors and test it one by one? meant to be driving down the country tomorrow.

the car has recently been serviced, but drove fine for the last 2 months.

Cheers for any input.

jay

when i coil burns out they ****** stink!! prob be bits of moulten plastic round the seams of the offending coil

**jay walker** · 16 February 2012, 21:15

Damn it, i always make a school boy error. its a 1995 aby. but those are both very helpful inputs, thanks guys ill start with the plugs and coils tomorrow.

much appreciated and i'll give you an update.

Jay

**YELL MAN** · 16 February 2012, 22:56

You could disconnect each injector in turn to see what cylinder is missing on a ABY

**jay walker** · 17 February 2012, 08:45

having had a look. its cylinder no 2. so checked the spark plug and it was lose. cleaned and tightened it, reassembled and still no improvement! the coil pencil is burnt (i assume that was the smell) but is there any way of testing the coil whilst it is still attached.
also does anyone have a spare coil?

**Azman** · 17 February 2012, 08:55

That spark plug cover will need to be replaced mate or it will arc to the head, which may be part of the problem

**WabTheKing** · 17 February 2012, 09:53

Originally posted by jay walker

having had a look. its cylinder no 2. so checked the spark plug and it was lose. cleaned and tightened it, reassembled and still no improvement! the coil pencil is burnt (i assume that was the smell) but is there any way of testing the coil whilst it is still attached.
also does anyone have a spare coil?

if its burnt its prob had it,

switch it with another coil from a different cylinder and see if the fault moves

**Big Lee M** · 17 February 2012, 09:54

Sounds like you need new spark plug boots, I had a misfire and not for the life of me find out why then I changed the boots and it was back to normal.

**Ross** · 17 February 2012, 09:54

Yup that 'Subaru' sound is 4-cyl, easy diagnosis tool

I had a split in the rubber boot on one cylinder and as has been said above - that can be enough for hte spark to arc to the head. A temporary fix for me was to bind it in insulation tape until I could get a replacement.

**jay walker** · 17 February 2012, 10:35

i tried changing the pencil to a different coil, no change... so i tried changing the spark plug on the off chance, and sure enough it changed from cylinder 2 to 1. so dont know how it happened but the spark plug is capput. changed it and all seems ok....for now. i will take the advice and order some new boots though, just to be on the safe side! thanks for everyones help. very much appreciated!

**Ross** · 17 February 2012, 10:48

If it's overheated and melted the boot sounds like something went horribly wrong with it! Glad it's sorted... it's funny, we say this is part of running an older car but I've heard so many stories of friends having issues with newer cars recently - and alot more expensive to fix - that I think we've got it sussed

Its broken...sort of!

Its broken...sort of!

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