Technical Coil Pack? Bravo 1.2 sx 80 2001

[harps86]

Hi folks,


So about a week ago the car started to have a rumbling idle, then the loss of power and hesitating under acceleration.

Changed the plugs and then the HT leads and the problem was definitely reduced but i wasnt 100% so took it to the garage anyway to double check.

He put on his little computer diagnostic thing and said he had cleared some codes, drove it and checked again and that it seemed fine.

Since then the problem has come back but not as bad as before

Had a little smoke out the back on one journey in the morning which lasted about 5-10mins from starting? And only once has there been a problem starting (took a couple turns and a pump on the accelerator which is not like the car at all)

This morning though is the first time the engine light has come on and stayed on constantly which in the book says its a 'supply/ignition fault'.

Bit hard for cash at the minute so im wondering if its definitely a coil pack and if i could change it myself or whether i should just bite the bullet and take it back to a garage??

 

[williamt73]

I could not say if it is the coil pack at fault or not, but IF it is then to change it yourself is a very straightforward job.

Remove cover on top of engine. 3 nuts. 10mm AF socket.

Remove battery (for better access). 10mm spanner to undo leads. 13mm socket to undo clamp.

Unplug leads from spark plugs.

Remove clip & unplug electrical connector from coil pack.

Remove coil pack from side of cylinder head. 4 torx bolts. Can't remember size but it is not big. T30?

Take old coil pack onto bench.

Swap over plug leads to new coil pack.

As mr Haynes would say, refit is the reverse procedure.

 

[harps86]

Thanks for the instructions, really appreciate it.. Just trying to figure out if i should gamble and replace that in the hope that its the problem or to take it to a garage..???

Will cost me money if its not whats wrong with it or cost me more than it needs to be if a garage fixes it..???????

 

[harps86]

Think im gonna go ahead and replace the coil pack unless anyone can suggest otherwise???

 

[bluejohn125]

I would consider having the garage do a compression check to confirm that you don't have a head gasket failure on the car. These engines do get them with age, and symptoms can start with what you are describing - engine codes, poor running, smoke / steam from the exhaust.

If you catch it early and find the right garage then it's perfectly fixable - this is basically the worst case scenario but even so it shouldn't be the end of the world (or the car).

It could always be a failed lambda sensor - your car will have 2 - one before the Cat / manifold and one after.

Any diagnostic codes should point you in the right direction, before you go guessing and swapping coilpacks.

 

[harps86]

Well the smoke seems to have only been a one time event last only a couple of minutes so im hoping its not a compression issue..

Think i'll go with your suggestion though, give it the garage and get them to diagnose it first and take it from there..

Thanks for the replies!

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi,
there's a lot of things it "could" be,

personally I would do the coilpack 1st,

where are you based..??,
you may be able to get a Forumite to read your codes - much cheaper than a garage doing it.

check your oil + water regularly - wipe off the oil filler cap on the top of the engine - checking for "mayonnaise", and check it again DAILY along with the fluid levels,
any drops in levels could well point to HG trouble.

Charlie - Oxford

 

[harps86]

So I took it back to the garage I originally had the diagnostics ran on and they ran it again for free. They told me it was showing poor pressure on two of the cylinders (can't remember which ones)

They ran a pressure test (also for free) and confirmed it was one of the cylinders running with poor pressure.

He said going forward he would get the head skimmed then do another pressure test before confirming it was definitely the head gasket.

Other symptoms now are the heater doesnt work and the temp gauge goes right to max after a short 20min journey? Haven't noticed anymore smoke though?

He did mention that the diagnostics also brought up something to do with the fan i think??

My question really is it worth getting the head skimmed to see whether that will solve the pressure issue? Or is it gonna be a waste of time because in the end the head gasket will need to be done? (A route i cant afford to go)

Im pretty sure i heard the guy at the garage say to his colleague, 'Gasket gone i reckon'....