Beastmode panda Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 The metal bit in the middle of the dizzy cap should be pointed mate, same happened to my car and I replaced the dizzy cap and rotor arm then all was good. But yeah, they're supposed to be pointed . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TurboTobz Posted May 8, 2013 Author Share Posted May 8, 2013 You know what that completely slipped my mind. That could well be the answer Rob! Thanks dude! I'm going to double check but I'm sure it was flat! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
smobey_sutton2 Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Just scanned the thread... Not sure why you thought to check your coolant hoses because of a slight misfire... pretty much always going to be fueling or ignition. But if your wideband is indicating that fueling is all good then pretty much going to be ignition. There is most likely moisture under your distributor cap, or the electrodes aren't contacting with the rotor arm very well. Clean it all up and get it dry. Remember electricity is lazy and will always take the shortest easiest route. So if you can see any electrodes in the distributor cap that are worn, then it may be in need of replacing.Furthermore i would recommend checking your spark plug gaps.As plugs wear, the gap increases meaning the ignition system has to work harder in order for the spark to jump the larger gap. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TurboTobz Posted May 8, 2013 Author Share Posted May 8, 2013 (edited) Edit, repost. Edited May 8, 2013 by TurboTobz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TurboTobz Posted May 8, 2013 Author Share Posted May 8, 2013 (edited) I just done a general check of the engine, levels, felt the hoses etc just as you do.With the cap off theres clearly corrosion, not massively worn but I question the centre contact as I'm not sure entirely how they should look after a bit of use and if it could be causing the issue.I'm going to clean the contacts up, I don't have any other tools here as there at my garage a town over, other than 8 and 10mm spanner so unfourtunately I cannot check the plugs but that is certainly something to consider.My guess is that the fault lies between plugs/leads/cap/rotor/coil/igniter seeing as the missfire is not down to one cylinder it's a multiple cylinder and only slightly it's not your usual engine rocking scenario.I think realistically it's got to be distributor, coil or igniter as it is spread across probably all cylinders. Any thoughts comments? I could be completely wrong i'm not incredibly experienced at the moment I'm just trying to look at things with what I know and theoretical analysis Edited May 8, 2013 by TurboTobz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Addymk2 Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 I'm not gonna lie, I think your Dizzy cap is knackered. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TurboTobz Posted May 8, 2013 Author Share Posted May 8, 2013 I'm not gonna lie, I think your Dizzy cap is knackered.Yeah? As I say I'm not clued up very well with them! I'm glad to hear I may have the fault sat beside me! Do you think it's knackered enough to be causing the missfire or just needs replacing? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
daniel_g Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Yes ^^ Theyre shagged. Dizzy cap + rotor arm will sort you out bud. Also, take the coil off the bulkhead and clean it up to get a good contact, as thats its earth. And wont cost you anything Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TurboTobz Posted May 8, 2013 Author Share Posted May 8, 2013 Thanks guys keep the info coming ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TurboTobz Posted May 8, 2013 Author Share Posted May 8, 2013 I think if the engine was struggling to fire at low rpms it would explain the backfires too, they were mainly uphill. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beastmode panda Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 I will third or forth that on it being dizzy cap and rotor arm . PM iddy and he will sort you out with next day postage and a great price on both. And even if it's not them, by the looks of it they are overdue a change either way so it wouldn't hurt bro. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Addymk2 Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Uphill with the engine under load at relativeley low RPM? I'd put it down to that DizzyCap personally. I got mine from ID-Workz, delivery was uber quick. Worth a peep!Good luck bud! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TurboTobz Posted May 8, 2013 Author Share Posted May 8, 2013 Tbh my car spends most its life at 1k rpm I drive like an old fart, you know when your late for work and there's that one person doing 20mph - yeah that's me! Thanks guys! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
daniel_g Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 The best way to drive a car is like you stole it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TurboTobz Posted May 8, 2013 Author Share Posted May 8, 2013 That gets you no where with the police around lol, and I like to give my car are fairly easy life lol. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TurboTobz Posted May 10, 2013 Author Share Posted May 10, 2013 So I cleaned the contacts and i think the carbon brush in centre was jammed, cars been ran and works fine at the moment fingers crossed!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Addymk2 Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 So I cleaned the contacts and i think the carbon brush in centre was jammed, cars been ran and works fine at the moment fingers crossed!!!Awesome news! Still looks a little worn, if it kicks in again I would just buy a new cap if I was you :-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TurboTobz Posted May 14, 2013 Author Share Posted May 14, 2013 Yeah, I have a rotor sat here so I'll be ordering a new cap. Cars been fine since, been hectic moving house so cars been on the back burner to be fair, poor thing! Got forged rods and pistons, nice clean complete head ready for a skim, and a wepr Evo manifold and , r spec turbo timer all to go on along with a few other bits lol. Then I'm going to be making some minor adjustments to intercooler and cooling system hopefully! Lol I'm very busy!Thanks for all the help guys! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
1991 starlet owner Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 Yeah mine has done this before.. Slightly different symptons If I remember but dizzy cap needed a bloody good clean and got a new rotor arm.Also.. When you took the rad cap off with a towel was the engine hot?? If so it would spill out anyways wouldn't it relieving the pressure??Tom. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TurboTobz Posted May 31, 2013 Author Share Posted May 31, 2013 Yeah mine has done this before.. Slightly different symptons If I remember but dizzy cap needed a bloody good clean and got a new rotor arm.Also.. When you took the rad cap off with a towel was the engine hot?? If so it would spill out anyways wouldn't it relieving the pressure??Tom.It was hot, I know to expect it but usually if you release caps off gradually they relieve themselves though. At the moment the cars running faultless I'm still warey of the hoses but I'm going to try the thermostat first, as that may have failed in a funny position, car doesn't show above 1/4 temp.If it is the headgasket it's not the end of the world but I'm just great full that at the moment I have a perfectly running car lol! Couldn't have survived the last 2-3 weeks without it!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
1991 starlet owner Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Yeah I really don't think it'll be the headgasket as that would keep running up to normal temp and then one day over heat. And you know if you have an air lock in the coolent system because it'll just start overheating all the time! The temp goes way off the scale everytime you run the car pretty much and thatll melt the headgasket or maybe crack the head I suppose.. My brother 106 gti had this probablem shortly after he bought it.. After we bled it it ran lovely until now as its off the road as he has a bmw cooper s.Tom. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TurboTobz Posted May 31, 2013 Author Share Posted May 31, 2013 Tried bleeding it through, will have to flush it and check for any blockages but I doubt there is. Yeah it's a strange one as there's no other sign of a failing gasket but who knows, could be early stages. They are buggers to drive when they're completely gone! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
1991 starlet owner Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Also mate have you thought about your fuelling?? Maybe a faulty fuel pump or something like that?Tom. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TurboTobz Posted May 31, 2013 Author Share Posted May 31, 2013 Also mate have you thought about your fuelling?? Maybe a faulty fuel pump or something like that?Tom.It's running fine now mate it did cross my mind but wideband readings pointed to it fuelling correctly so I put that possibility to one side! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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