Spluttering on start up when cold-first time ever
 

Dear All
After finally getting my V6 through its MOT today (just replaced two 4 month old rear shock mounts made of treacle!!), I started it up for the first time in about a week and instead of the immediate start up, it spluttered into life. I have never experienced this before. I left it to warm up a little and drove it to the testing station and it purred all the way as if nothing was wrong! Even when I had the car washed by three guys on the way, it burst into life!! I had to get it washed as I could have grown potatoes on it!! By the way, it is the first time in my life someone else has washed my car, at 61, I must be getting old!! Any suggestions will be great fully recieved. In the summer I replaced the spark plugs, vis motors and most of the rest of the car!! Could it be the coils??? Its a Mk1 ZT 2.5.
Very best wishes to all,
Bob

Not a V6 man but would have thought failing coils would give you misfires - try cleaning the spade connector to the starter motor (battery connection) - its a common reason on the 1.8 for non starts and difficult starts.

Thanks Yorkshire GOC and Colvert
I thought it might be the coils, just have to work out which type I have on the car. There are two types, if it the older ones I'll replace the HT leads as well. It has been very dry in North Yorkshire for days so I am not sure if it is the damp.

All the other MGRovers in the family have no advisories and fly through their MOTs and I put mine in and it failed!!! The new rear shocks I fitted four months ago had very poor quality rubber bushes and lasted on 4 months, when I took them back off they were like treacle!! It also failed on its headlight, the adjusters were broken!! A faf to replace!! All good for another year!!
Thanks for your advice,
Bob

I had a V6 with leads on the front 3 and had the occasional misfire on damp days. A new set of leads cured the problem.;) The carbon in the leads starts to break down with age, heat, expansion and contraction, causing the spark to weaken, having to jump the gaps.

Hi Bob,

As this is an isolated incident I would do nothing at the moment except sharpen your senses. It also wouldn't do any harm to put your battery on charge at this time of year and following the MOT test. Stronger evidence is required before any parts purchases are contemplated.

Simon