My engine is not idling properly, the exhaust sounds a bit like it does when there's a misfire. kinda chug-chug-chug, but the engine doesn't sound bad really, it is idling at 800 rpm. is this too low? the engine revs and accelerates perfectly. possibly related is what happened this afternoon. when i started the car this lunchtime, there was a small cloud of smoke on start up. blueishwhite i think, though i can't be sure. i promptly drove the car very fast to the shop and ovserved no visable smoke. car was fine this evening when i started it. changed the oil and oil filter this evening but "misfire" remains (not that the oil has anything to do with it!) i recently changed the ignition coil pack and replaced the spark plugs approx 13,000 miles ago. haven't checked plug condition. is there anything obvious it might be. didn't get around to replacing air filter this evening. any help would be really welcome!

Met Cognac 99 Brava 100 HSX, wish it'd clean itself!

Mad,
Blue smoke usually means oil in the fuel/air mix. If you are also getting percussion noise (chugging)then it is likely that you have blown a head gasket.
Pull a plug and check to confirm and have a good listen around the block at idle.

<h5><font color="black">Dave.
Marea HLX 2.0 20v</h5><h6><font color="white">FIATcentral</font id="white"> window sticker, (now obsolete), silver poppy coral, titanium tax disc.
Blue Momo Tomahawk Gear Knob, Blue gaiters, Blue sidelights & interior lights, Blue engine lacquer, feeling blue
Ecotek fitted, removed and waiting for warm weather. Only getting 23.5mpg
So much to do, so little time.... and Totally Skint!! </h6></font id="black">

it's only rough at idle, no loss of power, no mayonaisse, no loss of water. burning oil for a while, using smoke screen. y'see, the smoke only happened once, that's what's strange.

Met Cognac 99 Brava 100 HSX, wish it'd clean itself!

it's not really a misfire, it revs perfectly. just thinking the idle speed may be a bit low?
if there was a lack of compression wouldn't there be a notable drop in performance?

Met Cognac 99 Brava 100 HSX, wish it'd clean itself!

Mine still does this from time to time - drops from 11-1200 revs at idle down to 8-900. It was narrowed down to it not getting enough air because of the gunk on the engine clogging up the filter. They 'spring cleaned' it at service when I reported this and it went away. I'm sorry I can't be more specific, but then again they weren't either.

I didn't notice any drop in performance either, the only problem was in neutral.

850 idle is the norm.

if you have high milage ht leads faulty start car in avery dark area cheak for arcing around leads or could be crank sencor faulty or dirty
oil burning could be breather system clogged or valve guides worn

My 1.6 idles at around 1100.

<h5>Click here for pictures of my Uno
Click here for pictures of my Brava

just adjusted the idle speed, brought it to garage who said it was perfect, i'd have to say i agree, think i'm still a bit paranoid about the car. sorry if i've wasted your time!

Met Cognac 99 Brava 100 HSX, wish it'd clean itself!

lol, you have to be paranoid

<h5><font color="black">Dave.
Marea HLX 2.0 20v</h5><h6><font color="white">FIATcentral</font id="white"> window sticker, (now obsolete), silver poppy coral, titanium tax disc.
Blue Momo Tomahawk Gear Knob, Blue gaiters, Blue sidelights & interior lights, Blue engine lacquer, feeling blue
Ecotek fitted, removed and waiting for warm weather. Only getting 23.5mpg
So much to do, so little time.... and Totally Skint!! </h6></font id="black">

it's not funny! wasn't sleeping right or anything, got up at half seven to see if anyone had come up with an answer!

seen a beautiful Golf van 130bhp tDI for sale, very tempted, wish i had more confidence in the car.

Met Cognac 99 Brava 100 HSX, wish it'd clean itself!

Just park it beside a Golf, which looks better? No contest. 130bhp sounds nice though.

<h5>Click here for pictures of my Uno
Click here for pictures of my Brava

I agree Madcolm, garage said there was 'nowt wrong' with mine either, but it didn't half scare me when it juddered in neutral. I just try to ignore it now and hope people don't think I have a clapped out banger!

the golf has a 6 speed box. and 16" alloys. v.low insurance too!
not buying unless i don't get a company car

Met Cognac 99 Brava 100 HSX, wish it'd clean itself!

by "not buying" i mean anything! not the golf specifically

Met Cognac 99 Brava 100 HSX, wish it'd clean itself!