Starting problems
Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 5:32 pm
One or two of you might have seen me post about this previously - on here or on PUK. Apologies if I am going over old ground. I have done a search, and found similar issues, but nothing exactly like mine.
My 5th Gen, 2.2vti has had an intermittent problem for a few months now. Initially it always started, though sometimes would turn over for longer than normal and then run very lumpy (as if running on 2 or 3 cylinders) for a few seconds. Initilly it seemed to be worse when restarting after a short run, but that's not necessarily the case now.
The last few weeks the starting has become more erratic. Some days it isnt too bad, but others it just will not go. When it starts it mostly runs lumpy now, and this tends to be for longer - to the extent where I am waiting for it to clear, and sound driveable before attemting to pull away.
At first I thought it was the main relay. This was repaired and then replaced. It has had new plugs and leads, a couple of doses of redex & fuel system cleaner. The valve clearances have been chacked, and yesterday I changed the distributor. At the same time I fitted the dizzy I dropped the fuse to reset the ecu. Initially it was starting really well and running smooth straight away. I thought I had solved the problem. Then today its been back to square one. I had wondered if there was a problem mechanically or with fuel supply but in either case I would have expected more problems when driving than starting? Once it starts and gets over the initial rough period it runs fautlessly. I can only assume its the ecu, but am considering getting rid as I really dont know. As much as I like this car I do need to know that I can turn the key and then drive. At the moment things arent quite that straightforward.
Any help or advice would be much appreciated before I go grey, pull my hair out or give up and sell.
My 5th Gen, 2.2vti has had an intermittent problem for a few months now. Initially it always started, though sometimes would turn over for longer than normal and then run very lumpy (as if running on 2 or 3 cylinders) for a few seconds. Initilly it seemed to be worse when restarting after a short run, but that's not necessarily the case now.
The last few weeks the starting has become more erratic. Some days it isnt too bad, but others it just will not go. When it starts it mostly runs lumpy now, and this tends to be for longer - to the extent where I am waiting for it to clear, and sound driveable before attemting to pull away.
At first I thought it was the main relay. This was repaired and then replaced. It has had new plugs and leads, a couple of doses of redex & fuel system cleaner. The valve clearances have been chacked, and yesterday I changed the distributor. At the same time I fitted the dizzy I dropped the fuse to reset the ecu. Initially it was starting really well and running smooth straight away. I thought I had solved the problem. Then today its been back to square one. I had wondered if there was a problem mechanically or with fuel supply but in either case I would have expected more problems when driving than starting? Once it starts and gets over the initial rough period it runs fautlessly. I can only assume its the ecu, but am considering getting rid as I really dont know. As much as I like this car I do need to know that I can turn the key and then drive. At the moment things arent quite that straightforward.
Any help or advice would be much appreciated before I go grey, pull my hair out or give up and sell.
