engine light, chugging 1.6 hlx

[Andy]

i bought my 1.6 hlx about 3 weeks ago, and 3 or 4 days after i bought it the engine light came on and the engine started to chug and sometimes struggles to idle or build up revs. this is intermittent as sometimes it runs fine, but then you'll be cruising along and suddenly it's like the car's hit a power barrier. the engine light isn't always on, but the engine struggles randomly.

im only 18 so i don't know much more than the basics about cars so any help or advice would be appreciated as this car is my pride and joy

thanks

 

[Shug_06]

Firstly I would check spark plugs and leads but sounds most likely to be injector fault. This is a really common fault on the 1.6 engine.

You can determine if one or more injectors are gubbed by checking the resistance of each using a multimetre. The connector for the fuel rail is at the right hand side of the exhaust manifold at front of the engine bay. If u unplug this there are 5 pins, 1 for each injector and 1 return. check the resistance of each. From memory they should be around 13ohms anything lower than i would say nine and theres a problem or obviously if 1 is significantly lower than the rest then its clearly the issue.

Its an easy place to start as it doesnt involve stripping anything down or buying anything as if u dont have a mulitimeter most likely youl know someone who has one kicking about. It will give you a pretty good indication if its the old injector issue.

If this is the issue a trip to ur local scrapyard with your metre will be by far the cheapest option. bravo, 1.6 bravo and marea share the same engine so you could salvage injectors from any. the mark 2 engine (one with plastic inlet manifold) has slightly different injectors. I cant remember exactly which is which but one model use a 2 jet injector and the other a 4 jet although both work at the same preasure so should work fine.

Defo where i would look first mate. if it turns out its not the injectors then nothing gained but nothing lost. Only takes a few mins.

 

[Shug-06]

Just realised i contradict myself a little with that post saying to check plugs and leads then say check injectors first. What should really have said is check all of the above. check there are no bursts/holes/burns in the plug leads. check the general condition of the plugs and check each injectors resistances before parting with any cash. Thats my tuppens worth

Also I just remembered, if u get a copy of the service manual that was kicking about on here I beleive it tells you what resistance the injectors should be should be and maybe even shows you where the plug is.

good luck