Spark Plugs

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by CapStick, Feb 15, 2004.

  1. CapStick

    CapStick Guest

    Trying to track down a problem on the lads 1.0 corsa
    the three pot twelve valve petrol version T Plate

    Done all the things bought up by the Diagnostic

    New idle air valve
    New egr valve
    Everything else seems to work fine nothing showing up on Diagnostic

    Fuel pump seems to be working ok , fuel side of things looks good.

    New cat and manifold so exhaust looks good.

    However car starts to slow and revs cutback at about 50 mph
    moreso up hill

    engine light shows when this occurs and goes out if /declutch clutch
    or drop revs a bit.

    If revs kept constant , vehicle pulls uphill fine.

    70 thou on clock


    Now clutching at straws.

    So 1 question
    He changed plugs to these four pronged
    pre factory set jobs
    anyone had any bad experiences using these.

    any other info gratefully recieved.

    If you saw something similar posted a couple of months ago
    its still same problem.
    BTIA
     
    CapStick, Feb 15, 2004
    #1
  2. CapStick

    mike Guest

    i was going to say
    there was a long threads on this a while back!
    thought it was sorted!

    how about as a test, put the old sparkies back in?

    not got a dicky accelerator potentiometer has it?
    (if it's the type with one fitted)

    mike
     
    mike, Feb 15, 2004
    #2
  3. CapStick

    malcolm Guest

    If the MIL (malfunction indicator lamp) has been flashing, codes should be
    stored in the ECU. Have you had the codes pulled recently? When was the fuel
    filter changed? Are you certain there isn't a blockage in the exhaust?
    The symptoms could be related to a whole mess of problems; those above are
    the most likely, however there are a number of other possibilities.
    If you are really struggling, I would suggest finding a Tech who has data
    streaming capabilities with movie, and taking the car on a run until the
    problem occurs. With such equipment, it shouldn't be too much of a problem
    getting to the root cause.
     
    malcolm, Feb 15, 2004
    #3
  4. CapStick

    Guest Guest

    [3]
    [1]
    Various bits snipped on above.
    I think I would suggest that you have a blocked exhaust back box. as [1]
    and [2] suggest.
    [3] tells me that the exhaust rear of the cat has not been changed.
    Dave
     
    Guest, Feb 15, 2004
    #4
  5. CapStick

    Alan Guest

    It sounds as if you have changed a lot of things but why?

    I would normally check it on tech2 first to see what the stored codes are
    and work from there.

    With regards to plugs, buy genuine Vauxhall ones (they are cheap) and there
    can be no question of incompatibility.

    --

    Alan


    New & used Vauxhall cars & vans, servicing, repairs & parts
    www.steeles.co.uk

    Vauxhall CD players & handbooks
    http://www.stores.ebay.co.uk/vauxhallradiosales
     
    Alan, Feb 16, 2004
    #5
  6. CapStick

    CapStick Guest

    Thanks to all for their answers thus far.
    Where the cat had been changed i found that they had cut off the new plug
    and just
    crimped and taped wires to the new cat wires .

    These were all loose or falling out, however after sorting this out the
    problem still persists
    Cleaned all plugs.
    they looked a nice light brown
    Still no joy will try exhaust tommorow

    The one constant thing in all this is that
    when in tickover
    Boot down hard produces a situation where the revs go up in absolute stages.
    1k to 2 k then engine hunts for a bit 2k to 3k then hunts again 3k to 4
    and so on.
    If accelerator pressed slowly engine revs go up in a smooth manner.
    The Canned History of this problem

    It was checked on a diagnostic more than once by main dealers some 6 months
    ago

    At various different times they have,
    via the diagnostic error codes,
    put the problem down to cat,idle air valve and egr valve.

    The work was all carried out by dealers in kent.

    The problem still persist.

    However tried ringing my local (Cornwall) vauxhall dealer today

    asked for a price to have it put on a diagnostic
    was informed this would be about £30.00 inc vat ( reasonable )
    but was then told the following -:

    A Diagnostic would only show last error and whatever it showed it may not be
    that part that is faulty, because a diagnostic will only show in what area
    to search for the problem.

    I then said that according to the manual,
    the error values reset at every tenth start
    so therefore there should be one in 10 chance of showing the last ten error
    codes.

    No says he,it would only show the last error.

    He than said
    What people normally do is bring it to us and we will investigate and put it
    right.

    As my son has spent a bloody fortune on this car already and got nowhere
    with other so called 'Main dealers ' handling the job.

    I am very unwilling to let anyone take yet more money.

    Is there any other way i can
    a- read any errors myself
    b - get someone other than a main dealer to give me a 'proper' reading.

    (Ps My own old car has a Distributer and points with No Electronic EMS as
    such HooBloodyRahhhh )
     
    CapStick, Feb 16, 2004
    #6
  7. CapStick

    malcolm Guest

    I would be interested to know the rate of crosscounts from the oxygen
    sensor. Usually there are approx. 6 per 10-seconds, that's to say that the
    sensor should rise and fall passed the 500mv point 6 up and 6 down every
    10-seconds. This can be checked with a dc volt meter on the signal wire of
    the sensor. Poor sensor response WILL cause stepping in the rpm range, but
    test the sensor before replacing.
     
    malcolm, Feb 16, 2004
    #7
  8. CapStick

    malcolm Guest

    Forgot to include that this test should be performed at approx. 2500rpm.
     
    malcolm, Feb 17, 2004
    #8
  9. CapStick

    CapStick Guest

    Cheers again

    I will sign on and let you know progress late tommorrow night
     
    CapStick, Feb 17, 2004
    #9
  10. CapStick

    Alan Guest

    You have no obligation to let them do any repairs. I think it is still worth
    getting them to do a Tech2 test and report all trouble codes and then give
    you a written estimate for the repairs.

    This will then give you details of the codes and also the recommended work.

    You can then make a decision whether to get them to do the repairs or do
    them yourself.

    --

    Alan


    New & used Vauxhall cars & vans, servicing, repairs & parts
    www.steeles.co.uk

    Vauxhall CD players & handbooks
    http://www.stores.ebay.co.uk/vauxhallradiosales
     
    Alan, Feb 17, 2004
    #10
  11. CapStick

    Bilko130 Guest

    Hi,
    Symptoms you describe seem to me, to suggest Mass Air Flow sensor.
    I have changed literally hundreds of these for the same symptoms as
    above.
    Find a mate with a 1.0 ltr or a 1.2ltr 4 cyl. They are the same
    part numbers I believe. Swap them over and test the car.
    The Tech 2 test usually does'nt show up this fault and, can throw
    up some red herrings. E.G. Lambda sensor,and is due to a rich mixture(
    or so it thinks)due to low flow readings and throttle position sensor
    readings being to high for MAF values.
    Hope this helps
    Bilko130 (Ex Vx Tech)
     
    Bilko130, Feb 18, 2004
    #11
  12. CapStick

    CapStick Guest


    Following some instructions received
    I removed MAF plug
    (Mass Air Flow sensor)

    Immediate improvement in drive.
    No pull back when pulling up hill etc.etc.
    still a bit poor in low pulling away
    otherwise 1000 percent improved ( Must Be The MAF)



    so you along with another op do appear to be correct Bilko

    Only problem now is
    1
    where do i get a cheap one they are priced at
    wait for it
    £234.00 +vat ( for a piece of what ?)

    2
    Is there a way to test the existing one ( lot of money wasted if i'm wrong)

    3
    Is it possible to repair the one i have If not why not.
     
    CapStick, Feb 18, 2004
    #12
  13. CapStick

    Alan Guest

    Capstick's diagnosis was sensible and logical and appears to be the correct
    one. The question is, why have you paid for so many other parts as part of a
    trial and error replacement process?

    Diagnosis beats experimenting every time.

    --

    Alan


    New & used Vauxhall cars & vans, servicing, repairs & parts
    www.steeles.co.uk
     
    Alan, Feb 19, 2004
    #13
  14. CapStick

    CapStick Guest

    Well alan
    The rest of the thread did say, that following diagnosis by main dealer
    (Vauxhall)

    on there advice, all the parts were on various different occassions, fitted
    and charged for by them.

    Another poster pointed out that the Diagnostic does not show a MAF error

    So that was why all the other parts were fitted.
    In other words the main dealer tossers only saught to line their pockets.

    But i swear to god they will rue the day that i came into possesion of a car
    whose parts are priced using what can only be described as legalised fraud.

    Before i am finished i will be making my own electronic parts rather than
    pay their Exhorbitant prices.

    I shall post an explanation later on how to get a MAF Sensor for at least
    £115.00
    cheaper than main dealer.
     
    CapStick, Feb 19, 2004
    #14
  15. CapStick

    Bilko130 Guest

    Alan,
    I Disagree. As you are "Vx Involved" you must agree there are
    times when you simply must change a component because, you suspect
    this to be the problem.
    Even Vx tech info are advocates of this approach. And, with a
    case no. will pay for R+I x2
    I personally, only found this fault by subsitution and then,
    thorough diagnosis as to why.
    I wonder how many Lambda sensors have been changed (to no avail)
    to try and rectify this fault?
    Regards
    Bilko130

    P.S. How are things in the Vx world?
     
    Bilko130, Feb 19, 2004
    #15
  16. CapStick

    CapStick Guest


    Mass Air Flow Sensor from main dealer (Maynes Garage RedRuth) was £264+vat
    When ringing local Mill Auto Supplies( Edmunds Walker As Was)
    they initially said it was a Main Dealer part.
    However i took the part into them and showed them the Bosch Part No
    One phonecall later by them to their Bosch Supplier.
    Mass Air Flow Sensor From Mill Auto = £165.00+Vat
    This is a saving of roughly £115.00 once vat is added to both prices
    I then tried this at a local AutoSpark Place
    Cornish Electro Diesel ( CED )
    they were £160+VAT another £5.00 + vat Saving

    But the best was that after some ringing round
    I found a second hand spare.
    from a breaker
    for the Princely Sum Of
    £10.00 + VAT ( I dont yet if it works will let all know Tommorow)
    If It Does You Should be able to see my grin in the Outer Hebrides.
    Thanks to all for their Advice So Far.
     
    CapStick, Feb 20, 2004
    #16
  17. CapStick

    Alan Guest

    Well done on finding the s/hand unit. I hope it works. I hadn't realised the
    pricing anomaly with the Bosch part. I will take this up with vauxhall.

    --

    Alan


    New & used Vauxhall cars & vans, servicing, repairs & parts
    www.steeles.co.uk
     
    Alan, Feb 20, 2004
    #17
  18. CapStick

    steveb Guest

    try them on lambda sensors too, while you are at it :)
     
    steveb, Feb 20, 2004
    #18
  19. CapStick

    CapStick Guest

    Did you see me Grin

    No where in any manual i have read does it say clean the MAF as a part of
    servicing or troubleshooting for that matter
    Haynes fails again

    So if you find your car acting up something rotten and your getting nowhere
    with it try unplugging the MAF and running the car.
    if you see a marked impriovement in performance then clean The Maf


    The new (second hand part) has transformed the car to what it was six months
    ago.
    I believe because of the failure of the MAF its had
    New EGR valve ,New Air Inlet Valve and New Plugs.

    It may also have been responsible for having to have a new Cat because of
    failed emissions test. (not sure on this one)

    I have since discovered that all i really had to do was very carefully spray
    clean the MAF with carb cleaner and i would not have needed the new (second
    hand) part either.

    Before i asked on the Ngs i knew very little about Engine Management
    Systems.
    Their affect on the performance of an engine, should the peripherals of the
    system break down or become clogged etc .

    I am through these NGs a lot wiser now and i thank all here.

    I have made sure to finish off this thread so it makes it intact to the
    Archives for the future use of some other budding Amateur Mechanic.

    I would also add this link that was so useful and explanatory
    It just goes to show that it doesn't necessarily have to be the same model
    of car
    just to get an answer to what you are looking for.
    How to clean your MAF
    http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cleanmaf.htm


    Finally special thanks to TIM for advising removal of MAF to test this for
    fault in first place.
     
    CapStick, Feb 21, 2004
    #19
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