jonbad
Member
It's been a while since my last post as the car has been running nicely and reliably up until now, sorry, but this is yet another diagnostic plea for help!
The story in "brief"
1. Last night: Car started to have a little "hiccup" when driving, especially on acceleration. it's always been a bit lumpy, but I did notice the difference.
2. This morning: Driving along the A1, still a bit lumpy but when running at constant speed, all is ok-ish. Get to my turn off and engine not happy at all, engine light comes on for the first time. One roundabout (200 meters) later, engine light flashing every second, i.e. on purpose, not disappearing then reappearing. A few hundred meters later and I'm at my destination, so I turn the engine off and get to my work.
3. This afternoon: I've called the cavalry in advance, but in the meantime have a look under the bonnet. Sure enough, looks like an engine. Oil is fine, water is fine. Preliminary check seems to be ok, all connectors on etc. EXCEPT!!! the very small and short pipe that runs from the top of the cylinders to the air intake plastic box running across the car at the back. I reconnect it and hope for the best...
4. Upon starting the car, all appears to be ok at first but it is clear it's still not happy - though with pipe reattached it is marginally better; i.e. it's back to how it was the evening before.
5. VAGCOM scan complete, found one fault code on cylinder 4, intermittent misfire. Cleared fault and restarted engine, all lights are off.
6. Nursed the car home at a reasonably gentle but especially consistent 50mph, only coming to a complete stop twice when traffic lights dictated! Cars crashing all around me while I plough through them... just kidding... anyway, the rough running/lack of power is especially prevalent when going up hill/pulling away; car goes like a kangaroo/bunny hopping. No indicator lights come back on.
7. Home now, complete VAGCOM scan done again; all clear. No faults found. Baffling, as clearly there is a problem!
Questions:
1. I suspect like most people reading, that the usual engine components are possible causes, i.e. coil packs, spark plugs, injectors and the like. Does anybody recognise the symptoms as a common fault on the 1.4 petrol cars?
2. Is there anybody recommended in the Hertfordshire (St.Albans) area that might be able to take a look at it?
3. Which side (offside/nearside) is cylinder number 4?
4. Any other ideas welcome!
Thanks in advance to all for any help they can offer.
Jon.
The story in "brief"
1. Last night: Car started to have a little "hiccup" when driving, especially on acceleration. it's always been a bit lumpy, but I did notice the difference.
2. This morning: Driving along the A1, still a bit lumpy but when running at constant speed, all is ok-ish. Get to my turn off and engine not happy at all, engine light comes on for the first time. One roundabout (200 meters) later, engine light flashing every second, i.e. on purpose, not disappearing then reappearing. A few hundred meters later and I'm at my destination, so I turn the engine off and get to my work.
3. This afternoon: I've called the cavalry in advance, but in the meantime have a look under the bonnet. Sure enough, looks like an engine. Oil is fine, water is fine. Preliminary check seems to be ok, all connectors on etc. EXCEPT!!! the very small and short pipe that runs from the top of the cylinders to the air intake plastic box running across the car at the back. I reconnect it and hope for the best...
4. Upon starting the car, all appears to be ok at first but it is clear it's still not happy - though with pipe reattached it is marginally better; i.e. it's back to how it was the evening before.
5. VAGCOM scan complete, found one fault code on cylinder 4, intermittent misfire. Cleared fault and restarted engine, all lights are off.
6. Nursed the car home at a reasonably gentle but especially consistent 50mph, only coming to a complete stop twice when traffic lights dictated! Cars crashing all around me while I plough through them... just kidding... anyway, the rough running/lack of power is especially prevalent when going up hill/pulling away; car goes like a kangaroo/bunny hopping. No indicator lights come back on.
7. Home now, complete VAGCOM scan done again; all clear. No faults found. Baffling, as clearly there is a problem!
Questions:
1. I suspect like most people reading, that the usual engine components are possible causes, i.e. coil packs, spark plugs, injectors and the like. Does anybody recognise the symptoms as a common fault on the 1.4 petrol cars?
2. Is there anybody recommended in the Hertfordshire (St.Albans) area that might be able to take a look at it?
3. Which side (offside/nearside) is cylinder number 4?
4. Any other ideas welcome!
Thanks in advance to all for any help they can offer.
Jon.
