Hi

First of all i'd like to say I have the 1.1 SPI fiat Punto MK1 and have carried out some work myself on it. After changing the headgasket months ago the car injector light came on the and the car juddered in time with the injector light very badly as if the injector was blocked I then cleaned the throttle body and it went away. Recently the car juddered very badly this time no injector light came up at all and the light works. Then the day after it struggled to start started and died almost instantly. I then attempted another start where it started and ran on 3 cylinders then cut to 2 and died. Then it wouldn't start for ages turnign over for about 2 mins and when it did an excessive amount of black smoke came out and felt like it was running on 3 cylinders again but kept it at high revs and it felt normal again after about 2 minutes and ran perfectly. I have been trying to work this out for a while now and have done the following:

Compression Test all came out fine
Spark Plugs are arcing nicely
Cleaned Throttle Body
Timing Correct
Also no oil or coolant loss

Also I have noticed my fuel pump on the ignition is always running but I am unsure if this has anything to do with it as earlier it started perfectly with this issue. Also half the time the code light is on and then other times it is not on and everytime I try to explain how its running awfully in person or how it keeps dying it starts perfectly which is rather annoying sods law I assume.

So please anyone any ideas?

Thanks in advance

I would recommend changing the fuel filter. Could be clogged up if haven't been changed for long time.

It could be running rich and flooding the engine. When it's going (even though its rough), is better or worse when its hot.

Also check the easy things - fit new plugs and leads if they look old.
Swap the coils over left & right and see if the missfire moves to a different cylinder.

WhiteSei said:

It could be running rich and flooding the engine. When it's going (even though its rough), is better or worse when its hot.

Also check the easy things - fit new plugs and leads if they look old.
Swap the coils over left & right and see if the missfire moves to a different cylinder.

Click to expand...

Check these out too.

Earth strap (connector could expand when hot)
Coil packs (again when hot a wire could expand breaching a gap)
Crank position senson, check its not loose or covered in crap.
Check timing using cam and flywheel not that stupid line on the crank as it often don't give you perfect timing (also belt could of slipped)
As for the fuel pump running if its screaming then it could have a blockage, remove it (having a co2 fire extinguisher nearby, not water/power/foam otherwise its alot more work if it does go)
and check for crap pickup also check the inline fuel filter under the car at the back wheel.

Clean the throttle body and if that works give the timing a check over using flywheel markings and not the crankshaft

bredsticz said:

Clean the throttle body and if that works give the timing a check over using flywheel markings and not the crankshaft

Click to expand...

Already said about the timing marks. haha beat ya!:yuck:

OK will do all of the following and will let you know also orered a diagnostics reader as well as for the price im sure its usefull although eventhough the injector light does not come on im wondering if it is overfueling as the fuel pump now will go for a long time maybe 30 seconds and then stop and after 30 seconds start up again and keep on doing it. Am going to clean the throttle body/ spark plugs eventhough there newish a month or so used spark plug testers and the ht leahs seem fine possibley 1 cylinder spark isnt as bright and will let you know results sure i have a spare ht lead running around.

Cheers for the advice

Also spark plugs heavily carbonised any ideas?

Timing correct spark plugs now in good condition ive noticed that the engine always stalls after a hell of lot of smoke comes through the fuel breather and then engine stalls. Also fuel continuous seems to be the relay issue as knocking the cables turned it off and on again even though now it doesnt but anyone had this issue before? Well fixed that the copped had corroded and now turns off every time and code light is now off but now car wont run at all just constant fuel popping out breather and casuing engine to stall