First post from a clueless newbie so please be gentle! I know there are a lot of threads on this issue, but none of them seem to answer my question so here goes

02 plate mk2 punto - started misfiring in the summer (basically hideous juddering when pulling away, noticable shaking when idling, but seemed fine once it got moving).

Had spark plugs, coil packs & ht leads replaced in August - improved no end, but didn't completely resolve the problem. At the time, the garage said it could be any one of three very expensive things (which I foolishly didn't write down the names of), and they'd only be able to tell which it was by trial and error - they advised to put up with it and see if it got worse...

Last few days it has got a lot worse and is becoming unusable again

Diagnosing and fixing myself isn't an option - I am really clueless. I would actually like to learn this kind of stuff, but as the only place I have to park near my house is on the side of a fairly busy road, now is not the time

I'm reluctant to take it back to a garage, spend a load of money getting it diagnosed only to find out it's going to cost a fortune to fix - so it may be time to give in and get a new car.

So.... I'm really hoping someone can give me an idea of what might be wrong and how much it's likely to cost to fix before I start throwing more money at it. Any ideas?

Get the codes read -- or get a cheap code reader off eBay. Take it from there. Most stuff can be fixed in ASDA/Halfords/etc. car park!

Strange that it never occurs to folk that if they take the trouble to fill the registration form in correctly someone nearby may be willing to help.................

thanks for your reply. Few things....

"getting the codes read" - surely that costs (and I remember it being quite expensive with other cars!)? I'm trying to avoid spending money getting it diagnosed as I suspect it's not going to be cost effective to fix - which is why I posted.

Also, when the garage I went to in the summer used their diag machine on this car, all it told them was which cylinder was misfiring - which is why they suggested putting up with it until / unless it got worse rather than throwing money at possible solutions. Are there different types of code readers which give a greater or lesser amount of information?

And yes - YOU might be able to fix stuff in a car park but it's really not an appropriate place for someone who's completely clueless to try and learn!

And no - it didn't occur to me that anyone would be willing to offer more than advice over the internet! I wouldn't dream of asking if there was anyone local who could meet me and help me with this and (no offence) I wouldn't really feel comfortable doing so.

You can buy a code reader for less than £20.

Take it from there. There much of a muchness as regards reading common (non manufacturer specific) codes -- and this won't be manufacturer specific.

And no - it didn't occur to me that anyone would be willing to offer more than advice over the internet! I wouldn't dream of asking if there was anyone local who could meet me and help me with this and (no offence) I wouldn't really feel comfortable doing so.

Click to expand...

I'm unsure of how to interpret this. Obviously you should do nothing that poses a danger to your personal safety, but it seems a dreadfully sad way to go through life.

So.... I'm really hoping someone can give me an idea of what might be wrong and how much it's likely to cost to fix before I start throwing more money at it. Any ideas?

Click to expand...

its broken

hth

(Had spark plugs, coil packs & ht leads replaced in August - improved no end, but didn't completely resolve the problem. At the time, the garage said it could be any one of three very expensive things (which I foolishly didn't write down the names of), and they'd only be able to tell which it was by trial and error - they advised to put up with it and see if it got worse... )

you shouid of gone to another garage or looked for adecent mobile mech,

trial & error by agarage, they shouid clear it out and change it into a book makers, (gambling shop)