Missfires when starting, then clears after blipping throttle

m_p_rogers

Hi,

I've recently had my timing chain kit replaced after the dreaded rattle and jumping a tooth or three. Massively relieved I hadn't done any damage to the valves and the car has been running perfectly since, however over the last couple of days its developed a problem when starting from either cold or hot.

When starting it is missfiring, refusing to idle and then stalling after around 2-3 seconds, however if you blip the throttle when starting it quickly clears and then idles and drives perfectly...

It's just had a new set of plugs, any suggestions where I should look next ?

Mark

MikeS

Re: Missfires when starting, then clears after blipping thro

check to see if you have any coolant in the spark plug holes -

m_p_rogers

Re: Missfires when starting, then clears after blipping thro

Hi mike, checked that this evening when reseating the coil pack, no sign of water around any of the plugs.

MikeS

Re: Missfires when starting, then clears after blipping thro

i take it does it from cold or even when the car has warmed up

can u smell fuel when trying to get the car to idle ?

m_p_rogers

Re: Missfires when starting, then clears after blipping thro

Yes, does it from stone cold and when hot (been running for 20 mins). Yes there is a smell of fuel when first getting it to idle.

Not sure if it's relevant, but the car hadn't been started for 7-8 weeks whilst waiting to have the chain done, could a weak battery be to blame ?

MikeS

Re: Missfires when starting, then clears after blipping thro

worth giving it a good run

i know another 2.2 owner that ran poorly at start then after a quick rev it ran fine

m_p_rogers

Re: Missfires when starting, then clears after blipping thro

I'll give it a good run!

Did you friend ever find a solution ?

I'm wondering about the EGR valve, could it be causing starting problems, prior to having the timing chain done, I did on occasions get the Kangaroo-ing under accelartion that I'm told you get with a failing EGR valve.

MikeS

Re: Missfires when starting, then clears after blipping thro

egr system doesn't kick in until engine is warm from what i remember

front lambda sensor doesnt kick in for a good minute or so until they have reached operating temps

coolant temp sensor does however work on startup

how is the fueling ? - u getting good mpg

m_p_rogers

Re: Missfires when starting, then clears after blipping thro

MPG was averaging around 33 prior to having chain done, which was 90% motorway driving, haven't really driven it enough to gauge what it is now notsure.gif

astra22bertoneauto

Re: Missfires when starting, then clears after blipping thro

Could it be a sticky Fuel Pressure Regulator or maybe an injector needs cleaning? Just a thought.......

m_p_rogers

Re: Missfires when starting, then clears after blipping thro

It's throwing a EML and Inspection warning when turning over that then diasseapaers after blipping the throttle and settling the idle. Sounds like I need to get the fault code read as it could be any number of things.

I assume it stores the last fault code thrown even after the EML light goes out ? Is buying a OP-COM dianostic tool from ebay the way to go ?

jwalker

Re: Missfires when starting, then clears after blipping thro

where are you based

astra22bertoneauto

Re: Missfires when starting, then clears after blipping thro

I bought an OP-COM off ebay and find it very useful! Still learning all the functions on it. Just connect to your laptop and away you go. The one i got off Ebay was a "China Cloned" software 1 but works all the same. Have noticed a couple of functions disabled but never needed to use those functions. There are also other basic code readers on there too but the op-com does some programming too.

m_p_rogers

Re: Missfires when starting, then clears after blipping thro

I'll go that route then ! This one look ok ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OP-COM-V-CAN- ... 3f0d55735b

jwalker, I'm based just outside of Maidstone in Kent.

Thanks for the help chaps

astra22bertoneauto

Re: Missfires when starting, then clears after blipping thro

m.p.rogers said:
I'll go that route then ! This one look ok ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OP-COM-V-CAN- ... 3f0d55735b

That looks like a china clone version but will work. It also has the latest firmware version (1.44) Ive only got 1.39 :sick:

m_p_rogers

Re: Missfires when starting, then clears after blipping thro

Excellent, just ordered.

Will be back for further advice no doubt! Thanks

rushy

Re: Missfires when starting, then clears after blipping thro

I had a similar problem, and was advised it could be a sticky lifter. I gave the engine a good flush, started 10/40 oil instead of 5/30 and its been fine for the last few years.

My engine was only on 15 k at the time if I remember correctly and it had been flushed at 1k and 10k so I knew it was safe to do so. If yours hasn't been flushed for a long time however it could cause more problems than it fixes.

m_p_rogers

Re: Missfires when starting, then clears after blipping thro

Oh, the guy that did my timing chain said that one of my lifters was slightly noisy, but that it was nothing to worry about.

I highly doubt it's ever been flushed, and at 86k miles it would probably be a bad idea.

How serious a job is it to replace the lifter, can it be done just by removing the rocker cover, or is it a head off job ?

MikeS

Re: Missfires when starting, then clears after blipping thro

regular oil changes with 10/40 should sort it m8

12 quid for 5 litres trade at vauxhall

Gary14

Re: Missfires when starting, then clears after blipping thro

I always add a flush to the oil prior to changing, never had any problems with any of the cars / vans ive owned.

( wynns engine flush treats upto 6ltrs of oil )

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