Perplexing 1.8 idle and smoke issues - Page 3

KenR · 30th January 2018, 19:12

Hi.No, I didn't. Not at that point anyway. The gaps looked a bit wide but am not exactly sure on the correct gapping on these.

KenR · 30th January 2018, 19:16

Not really sure of the next step tbh. Am kind of approaching my mechanical plateau.

Old Triumphs I can deal with but this new fangled stuff...... lol.

roverbarmy · 30th January 2018, 19:43

Once a plug has been oily, it is very difficult to clean it properly. I've had vehicles in the past and had serious struggles to get them running correctly (particularly motorcycles) and a new set of plugs has transformed them. It's a lot cheaper than pulling the head off! You could try swapping plugs over from a good cylinder if you just want to experiment.

A good spray with carb cleaner may clean the oil off and a touch with a blow torch to burn off any deposits. Take care though, the carb cleaner is highly inflammable!

KenR · 30th January 2018, 19:48

Point taken lol. Iwill splash out on a new set of plugs tomorrow.

murphyv310 · 30th January 2018, 20:16

I'd agree that an oily plug is a pain to clean.
Fit a new set and if the problem still exists it my be prudent to actually take it on the road and see if you can clear it, a bit of revs may be the answer. I've seen carbon move onto plugs in the past and an Italian tune up can clear it.
Incidentally has the car used oil in the past?

KenR · 30th January 2018, 21:22

Not sure about the past usage of oil as the engine in there now was a replacement 20K ago.

KenR · 31st January 2018, 13:52

New plugs fitted. Difference? Nope, none.

KenR · 31st January 2018, 13:53

Only really the inlet manifold gasket to change. I have one to fit.

However, wondering if it is worth the hassle.

roverbarmy · 31st January 2018, 14:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenR

Only really the inlet manifold gasket to change. I have one to fit.

However, wondering if it is worth the hassle.

Definitely worth it. A process of elimination. If it was running fine before, there's no reason why it should fail after only a week of standing. A leaking inlet manifold gasket would be my next port of call.

slovcan · 31st January 2018, 14:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenR

Only really the inlet manifold gasket to change. I have one to fit.

However, wondering if it is worth the hassle.

Another member mentioned disabling the cylinders one at a time to try to identify a particular cylinder that is causing the problem. That is called a power balance test. Remove the spark from cylinder #1 (unplug the coil?) while the engine is running and note how much the RPM drops. Plug it back in and move to #2, then #3, etc. The faulty cylinder won't lose RPM when unplugged. The good cylinders should drop by about the same RPM each.

If you can isolate a bad cylinder swap its coil with one of the good ones. Do another power balance test and see if the problem moves to the new cylinder with the suspect coil.

Don't give up.

Glenn

30th January 2018, 19:12	#21
KenR Loves to post 2.5 V6 Rover 75 saloon Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: North London Posts: 286 Thanks: 57 Thanked 45 Times in 38 Posts	Hi.No, I didn't. Not at that point anyway. The gaps looked a bit wide but am not exactly sure on the correct gapping on these. __________________ 2002 MG ZT 160 - Le Mans Green 1996 MGF VVC BRG 1975 Triumph Toledo 2 litre 1996 Ford Galaxy 2.0 petrol

30th January 2018, 19:16	#22
KenR Loves to post 2.5 V6 Rover 75 saloon Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: North London Posts: 286 Thanks: 57 Thanked 45 Times in 38 Posts	Not really sure of the next step tbh. Am kind of approaching my mechanical plateau. Old Triumphs I can deal with but this new fangled stuff...... lol. __________________ 2002 MG ZT 160 - Le Mans Green 1996 MGF VVC BRG 1975 Triumph Toledo 2 litre 1996 Ford Galaxy 2.0 petrol

30th January 2018, 19:43	#23
roverbarmy This is my second home Roverless + 1.7D Sportage Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: East Norfolk Posts: 7,050 Thanks: 729 Thanked 2,021 Times in 1,449 Posts	Once a plug has been oily, it is very difficult to clean it properly. I've had vehicles in the past and had serious struggles to get them running correctly (particularly motorcycles) and a new set of plugs has transformed them. It's a lot cheaper than pulling the head off! You could try swapping plugs over from a good cylinder if you just want to experiment.A good spray with carb cleaner may clean the oil off and a touch with a blow torch to burn off any deposits. Take care though, the carb cleaner is highly inflammable! __________________ Oil in my veins!

30th January 2018, 19:48	#24
KenR Loves to post 2.5 V6 Rover 75 saloon Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: North London Posts: 286 Thanks: 57 Thanked 45 Times in 38 Posts	Point taken lol. Iwill splash out on a new set of plugs tomorrow. __________________ 2002 MG ZT 160 - Le Mans Green 1996 MGF VVC BRG 1975 Triumph Toledo 2 litre 1996 Ford Galaxy 2.0 petrol

30th January 2018, 20:16	#25
murphyv310 This is my second home Hyundai i10 998cc Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Kilmarnock Posts: 6,602 Thanks: 2,088 Thanked 2,298 Times in 1,349 Posts	I'd agree that an oily plug is a pain to clean. Fit a new set and if the problem still exists it my be prudent to actually take it on the road and see if you can clear it, a bit of revs may be the answer. I've seen carbon move onto plugs in the past and an Italian tune up can clear it. Incidentally has the car used oil in the past? __________________ Cheers from Trevor MM0KJJ

30th January 2018, 21:22	#26
KenR Loves to post 2.5 V6 Rover 75 saloon Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: North London Posts: 286 Thanks: 57 Thanked 45 Times in 38 Posts	Not sure about the past usage of oil as the engine in there now was a replacement 20K ago. __________________ 2002 MG ZT 160 - Le Mans Green 1996 MGF VVC BRG 1975 Triumph Toledo 2 litre 1996 Ford Galaxy 2.0 petrol

31st January 2018, 13:52	#27
KenR Loves to post 2.5 V6 Rover 75 saloon Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: North London Posts: 286 Thanks: 57 Thanked 45 Times in 38 Posts	New plugs fitted. Difference? Nope, none. __________________ 2002 MG ZT 160 - Le Mans Green 1996 MGF VVC BRG 1975 Triumph Toledo 2 litre 1996 Ford Galaxy 2.0 petrol

31st January 2018, 13:53	#28
KenR Loves to post 2.5 V6 Rover 75 saloon Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: North London Posts: 286 Thanks: 57 Thanked 45 Times in 38 Posts	Only really the inlet manifold gasket to change. I have one to fit. However, wondering if it is worth the hassle. __________________ 2002 MG ZT 160 - Le Mans Green 1996 MGF VVC BRG 1975 Triumph Toledo 2 litre 1996 Ford Galaxy 2.0 petrol Last edited by KenR; 31st January 2018 at 14:07..