Technical many problems!!

[chelsey]

hi guys just wondering if anyone can help me or give me some advice! I have a Punto '99 1.2 16v car I have noticed on several occassions that the engine wont turn over first time when using the car- only happens when it hasnt been started for a while i.e in the mornings and in the evenings after finishing work. Also have noticed when its wet it doesnt go into gear and takes a few minutes to go in also noticed the other night it didnt want to come out of gear and the only way to do it was to stal the car and then try again- weird i know!
The car also sometimes cuts out on me while driving even in dangerous places ie round a bout! this has happened several times Has petrol in it. On Friday evening after finishing work it started up fine but when coming out of the turning the car seemed like it didnt want to accerelate and started jumping around until it cut out on me on a busy road, have looked over the car and have noticed that there is clean engine oil all over the spark plugs have been told that it could be the rocket cover gasget but being a female i have no idea on cars!

Thanks in advance x

 

[mahol]

found this on the net.

Oil Fouled Spark plug
A spark plug shorted by excessive oil entering the combustion chamber is shown below. This is often caused by piston rings or cylinder walls that are badly worn. Oil may also be pulled into the chamber because of excessive clearance in the valve stem guides, or badly worn valve stem seals. If the PCV valve is plugged or inoperative, it can cause a buildup of crankcase pressure. This condition can force oil and oil vapors past the rings and valve guides into the combustion chamber.

TBH if your spark plug a "covered" in oil then that is more than likely the problem with the starting and the cutting out, others thing to cure the starting problem might be: checking the earth points i cleaned mine and helps a bit with the starting after my cars been sitting there a while, also how olds the battery ask a garage to check it some do a battery check for free or buy a multimeter if you want to do it yourself. the gear changing could be the clutch, maybe release bearing which common but i cant really say about that much as i've not had that problem before might be best taking to to a mechanic.

 

[chelsey]

thanks mate for that. the car has since been recovered as it had been in a field since friday night and is going to be looked over tomorrow and wednesday. it seemed on saturday that the spark plugs had been rounded off but time will tell tomorrow when it gets looked at by a mechanic.

 

[mahol]

good luck then, hope it doesnt cost you too much.

i spark plugs are normally slightly curved anyway but if the tip is damage i.e not straight or bent then this could be caused by something getting in the combustion chamber but i think you would know if that was the case. so i wouldn't worry to much.

lets us know how it goes