Author Topic: Why is it the simple jobs go horribly wrong? (Read 3951 times)

BBROWN1664 · « **on:** 03 November 2012, 04:40:29 pm »

I had put off changing the plugs on the Mrs car until today as they were a bit tight to get out (rusted!)
Having got them out and the new ones in I stated the car eventually and it is running like shite. Check engine light is on too.

Fec. Should have paid Ford to do it in the first place I think.

FuZzBoM · « **Reply #1 on:** 03 November 2012, 04:57:47 pm »

Does the car have a duratec engine? If so they have a cast iron head and they can crack..... Terrible design, i was so glad when my sister sold her Ford Ka.

BBROWN1664 · « **Reply #2 on:** 03 November 2012, 05:24:29 pm »

No it's the Zetec lump in this one. Cover is missing though which is how I think the water got in the plug wells. Not losing any water or burning oil and now has a horrible misfire since changing plugs. Tried the leads and even reverted back to original plugs and leads but problem is stil there with the check light on. Not a happy person!

caretaker · « **Reply #3 on:** 03 November 2012, 06:05:03 pm »

a very quick way to check for shorting is to fire it up in the dark. any arcing is easier to spot. the problem suggests that something was disturbed after changing the plugs. if the plug caps screw into the leads (do they still make them like that?) snip a bit off and screw them in again. i assume you havent mixed the leads up.. check the simplest things first.

BBROWN1664 · « **Reply #4 on:** 03 November 2012, 06:17:27 pm »

One on one off Caretaker for the leads. I have made that mistake before

The old and new leads are having the same problem as are the old and new plugs now. My brother is meant to be coming round with an OBD reader in the morning so may have something to go on then.
Taking one lead off at a time affects the tick over more for each cylinder so am assuming now that it is not ignition related and looking at other things but cant work out what as didn't touch anything else.
No apparent air leaks or loose connections. Stumped.

GrahamB · « **Reply #5 on:** 03 November 2012, 06:58:47 pm »

Jesus that sucks. I would have said you dropped a plug but just read all your other post. Got me stumped. $:\$

phillywilly · « **Reply #6 on:** 03 November 2012, 07:02:13 pm »

take the "check engine " bulb out , put the old plugs back in ,take it to ford to change the plugs then when they have done it and u get home put the bulb back in and tell em the light come on ,on the way home and its their fault

BBROWN1664 · « **Reply #7 on:** 03 November 2012, 07:03:42 pm »

Been there and done that too Graham. Got the right tools and no closed gaps. :-(

GrahamB · « **Reply #8 on:** 03 November 2012, 07:05:05 pm »

Yeah sorry chap, didn't read all your posts properly until just now. Edited my 1st reply.

FuZzBoM · « **Reply #9 on:** 04 November 2012, 12:03:24 am »

Might sound daft but check earth points. I take them off, give them a clean and copper slip them up.
My mrs has an audi A2 that had a weird misfire and was logged by the ecu due to that.
Something to do with taking the earth from the chassis and not the engine to help elimiate noise..

OBD will probaby show a fault code for a missfire. depending on the ecu it may tell you what cylinder at least.

Anyway hope you get it sorted soon.

Streetbudgie · « **Reply #10 on:** 04 November 2012, 12:21:27 am »

Every job I've started lately has gone horribly wrong, we had a fault on the cooker which turned into a new water main and therefore a new front drive.

BBROWN1664 · « **Reply #11 on:** 04 November 2012, 11:06:41 am »

Sorry it is a Duratec engine. Just got my brothers OBD reader plugged in and it is showing a misfire. No sh1t!
Showing as on #1 cylinder so off to get a new coil pack tomorrow and see if that fixes it.

Lawrence · « **Reply #12 on:** 04 November 2012, 02:09:15 pm »

Is it possible to swap the coils round? If so try that and see if the misfire moves with the coil.

FuZzBoM · « **Reply #13 on:** 04 November 2012, 03:19:28 pm »

I agree with Lawrence, swap if possible. you could find its just a dodgy contact.
Having said that a new set of plugs could have pushed a tired coil pack over the edge and killed it. i have had a coil die before on a crapy old Metro due to new plugs and leads so it does happen.

BBROWN1664 · « **Reply #14 on:** 04 November 2012, 05:16:34 pm »

Nice try Lawrence and fuzzbom but that isn't an option on this one.

MadDogMcQ · « **Reply #15 on:** 05 November 2012, 08:23:09 am »

It's almost ALWAYS the inline coil. They have extremely fragile ceramics in them and it's incredibly easy to damage them when removing and refitting. Simple fix though

BBROWN1664 · « **Reply #16 on:** 05 November 2012, 09:12:45 am »

I have got a new coil this morning (one coil does all 4 leads) so will try that at lunchtime.

Fortunately my eldest does not need his car for school so the mrs has used that today.

BBROWN1664 · « **Reply #17 on:** 05 November 2012, 12:01:33 pm »

New coil pack fitted and its all ok now.

FuZzBoM · « **Reply #18 on:** 05 November 2012, 01:49:33 pm »

yeah thought it wold be.. glad you got it sorted. better than going to those damn dealers!!!

locksmith · « **Reply #19 on:** 06 November 2012, 11:39:51 am »

There you go Bob, panicking over nothing at all

Wouldn't know where to look for fecking spark plugs on the car nowdays !

BBROWN1664 · « **Reply #20 on:** 06 November 2012, 06:49:39 pm »

Locksmith, in the Focus they are easy to find. Right under the pool of water

Details

FuZzBoM · « **Reply #21 on:** 06 November 2012, 09:45:33 pm »

Such a terrible design.. when i did the ones on my sisters KA i filled the plug holes with WD40 and left it over night. on putting the new plugs in i put a bit of copper grease round the thread of the plug. the following service was less traumatic lol.

To add to my rant my dad has a focus diesel. for some reason they felt the need to have the CAT about 2 inches away from the oil filter!! yeah lots of fun when doing an oil change.

it i a shame, i was ford fan through and through but vauxhalls thse days seem much better thought out.