Rough

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Steve Ashworth

Active Member
Posts
419
My P38 (2001) is running very rough...

Starting is never a problem.

Sounds rough to the ear, confirmed by rev counter not being very stable on tickover.

When I put in gear and accelerate response is very poor and struggles like hell to go up hill - it just creeps forward. After a few minutes it sems to improve but stull lumpy.

The severity of the problem varies quite a lot.

There are no visible warnings or messages.

Any tips on where I should start looking...

Cheers,

Steve

PS Tried unplugging the MAF but no better.
 
Ignition coils prone to failure on the Thor engine or ignition leads breaking down. Platinum plugs take a lot out of them. I've replaced both coil packs in the last year (or at least the supplying dealer did under warranty -they're tricky to get at down the back of the engine). It won't show up on the dash - I used a Launch X431 machine which showed multiple ignition failures and specified plug 7 then after a few months plug 4 or 8 which I suppose indicated which one to do first as they didn't go at the same time).

Best get it done asap as it also showed potential cat damaging misfire with unburnt fuel going through.
 
Thanks,

You could be on to something.

Just looked at engine running in garage without any lights on. I am sure I could see a faint light tracking along the left bank of plug leads...right hand side looked ok.

Wheres best place to buy plugs and leads?

Cheers,
Steve
 
i dont think thats the part of maf you need to change, have you tried just unpluging the senser. dont try it till engine is warm..
 
I've tried disconnecting the MAF connector. It does not seem to help the situation, if anything I would say its a bit worse.

I've never seen light, I would describe it as a dull flourescent flash in both directions, on ignition leads before. I am therefore wondering if they are failing - the rough runing thud being die to failure or weak spark?

Any thoughts?

Cheers,
Steve
 
If the glow around the leads is easily visible its absolutely certain that the insulation is failing. Apart from the poorer spark you're also now getting increased RF and EM interference to the ECU. Change leads to start. You can get cheap pattern leads for as little 15 quid a set. I don't recommend staying on those but if it solves the problem then you know it was the leads and now you can invest in something proper like Magnecor blues. At close to a hundred pounds a set these are pricier but do come with a lifetime warranty (whatever that means!).
 
Thanks Rasheed,

It is visible in total darkness, not daylight and only down one side. I will follow your advice and chenge the leads and plugs... Just need to find which ones.

All the on line stuff quote engine numbers, not year so i guess i need to find the engine number..

It is part of the number on the card in the window or is that the chasis number..

Cheers,
Steve
 
no prob. you'd never see the glow in daylight - that would be something else - like a fire! i'm not sure about in the uk but here the engine number is also on the registration docs - a bit easier to look at!
 
if its had some work done on it,its quite likely that one or more of the ht leads have not been pluged into the coil pack properly.. it only takes the slightest amount of bad fitting to allow them to arc. if you can see blue flashes around the back of the engine ( easier to see at night) then you will need to refit the leads more securely.. and its a free fix so worth checking first..
 
Thanks,

Nothings been done in that area recently but will check... had a crank sensor fitted a few months ago but thats not near the leads.

Broke down last night - engine fine but no drive. Smokey smell then stopped! Must be clutch...aaagg
 
feel for you mate. i had an intermittent start problem, was crank sensor. got that fixed and the coils were gone. did those and fusebox loom was getting old and brittle so needed to be redone ( i couldn't find a part number for a straight replacement). finally the car came back with SRS light on and "AIRBAG FAILURE" message. I was like - wtf?? my mechanics T4 is also gone bonkers right now so we still can't figure out what's wrong and i'm just driving around with that warning on!
 
Aagh you too,

I had my crank sensor changed a couple of months back due to intermittant stalling.

Now rough runing and now clutch problem (i think)....
 
rasheed said:
feel for you mate. i had an intermittent start problem, was crank sensor. got that fixed and the coils were gone. did those and fusebox loom was getting old and brittle so needed to be redone ( i couldn't find a part number for a straight replacement). finally the car came back with SRS light on and "AIRBAG FAILURE" message. I was like - wtf?? my mechanics T4 is also gone bonkers right now so we still can't figure out what's wrong and i'm just driving around with that warning on!
Click to expand...

If you have side airbags fitted in the front seats, check the connectors under the seats.
 
cheers data. as far as i can tell there's only two bags in here, one in the steering boss and one above the glovebox. but can't hurt to check the connectors - good idea.
 
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