Clio Billabong Problems .....

[Grumps]

Hello - I brought a 2nd hand Clio Billabong (Year 2003) 2 days ago which ran fine, just took my partner home and on the way back the engine management light started flashing and it felt like it was running on 3 cylinders, but it never put the car in limp mode it still could do 50 mph but just lumpy, any ideas ?

 

[hipwell]

Could do with getting it plugged in.

Could be a number of things.

Spark plugs, coil pack, leads, injector

 

[Grumps]

Yeah i was going to take the spark plugs out and wire brush them, see if that help .

 

[Grumps]

Just got a message from the person i brought it off, and he said it was doing the same a couple of months ago and it was a injector on number 2 .....

 

[hipwell]

I wouldn't take his word for it mate. Get it properly diagnosed.
Also for the price of spark plugs for one of those is just replace them anyway.

 

[Grumps]

Yeah i will do, surely a new injector should last month than 2 months .

 

[Daz...]

Did he actually replace the injector with a new one?

 

[Grumps]

He said he did, when i looked at it, it looked new to be honest .

 

[charltjr]

If one injector is on the way out the others probably aren't that far behind, but it could just as easily be the coil or plugs

 

[STEVE.M]

Yeah i was going to take the spark plugs out and wire brush them, see if that help .

Do a compression check while the plugs are out.
Valve clearances are adjusted by screw & locknut on the 1.2 litre engine, but rarely get attention.

 

[Grumps]

Another friend said coil pack .....

I have just took if for another drive, and it seems as it's cold it's ok, but after about 10 minutes it start being lumpy and the light flashes again .

 

[STEVE.M]

Another friend said coil pack .....

I have just took if for another drive, and it seems as it's cold it's ok, but after about 10 minutes it start being lumpy and the light flashes again .

Another friend said coil pack .....

I have just took if for another drive, and it seems as it's cold it's ok, but after about 10 minutes it start being lumpy and the light flashes again .

That would be consistent with the valve clearance closing as the engine heats up, and unburnt fuel washing over the Lambda sensor.

 

[Grumps]

Coil pack then your saying .

 

[hipwell]

Coil pack then your saying .

No I think he's saying check the valve clearances

 

[Grumps]

is that a big job ?

 

[STEVE.M]

is that a big job ?

You need to reply in the post so we know who you asking!
Start by conducting a compression test with a hot engine.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gunson-G4101-HI-GAUGE-COMPRESSION-TESTER-/360334829307 or borrow one.
If a cylinder is low on compression, then proceed to checking the clearances.
If all 4 compressions are the same, look elsewhere for your problem.

Valve clearance check/adjustment is a regular service requirement that often gets neglected.
Takes about an hour with the aid of a Haynes manual.

 

[hipwell]

Not sure, never had to do it but it will take a bit of thinking about as you will need to know the position of the pistons as you adjust.

A competent mechanic should be able to do it but to be honest until you get it diagnosed properly your pissing in the wind.

 

[Grumps]

Update Number 1 - This morning i replaced the coil pack which had HT leads already fitted and new NGK spark plugs and yes it's still doing it, so it could be injector number 2 or the valves now ...

 

[Grumps]

Just been looking at fuel injectors on my car, is it correct to have pink band on my model ?

 

[hipwell]

Id get the compression test and proper diagnostics done before you chuck any more money at it.

 

[Grumps]

I've got a friend coming round Wednesday to have a look at it, he has all the tools so should be able to find the problem, just been out for a quick drive again, and although the engine light sops on i ran with no issues, i seems as when it get hot it starts to play up ....

 

[STEVE.M]

I've got a friend coming round Wednesday to have a look at it, he has all the tools so should be able to find the problem, just been out for a quick drive again, and although the engine light sops on i ran with no issues, i seems as when it get hot it starts to play up ....

I love a story with a happy ending!