Abf running problems

[hasekna]

Hey all. Well i've had the lump in just over a month now, and generally she's going great, although i'm aware that I need a new lambda. Anyway today I was on my way out, had just overtaken a car (in a leisurely way) and boom, she started sounded like a scooby and the engine was ticking like a mofo. Now i've got it home, we've been able to determine the following. The two cylinders closest to the passenger side arn't fireing at all. HT leads are fine, i've changed the dizzy cap to a spare one i had and no differnce at all, also changed the coil lead. Where do i go from here? It'll start and idle on two and as you begin to rev it it just starts ticking so i'm not doing that. Any ideas would help cheers.

[gtigolfthree]

Check the compressions.

[hasekna]

Are you thinking Head gasket? Just a bit more info when I said the 2 cylinders wern't firing at all i meant it run's on 2, and when taking out those ht leads the engine dosn't change at all still carrys on the same, whereas on taking one of the other two leads out, she's down to 1.

[gtigolfthree]

Wasnt really thinking gasket without other symptoms typical of blown gasket, thinking more along the lines of valves / cam specially if there's ticking, if its not ignition, have whipped out the plugs to see if they are sparking and if they are wet?

[hasekna]

Not yet i've been too busy today to bother with it that much, gunna have a go at it tomorow. Thanks for the suggestions i'll check them out and  report back when I have more info.

[hasekna]

Ok I've had the chance to have a little tinker and here's the results.

Removed the plugs on 3&4 and they're black, cleaned them up in a bit of petrol and there's no change. The spark seemed pretty weak when they were dirty, and stronger when they were cleaned. All 4 cylinders are sparking. Put in a new set of plugs today and thats made no difference.

Ok then we tried a compression test, granted this is the first one we've done so may not have done it right. Basicly did a lil search on the net and had the throttle wide open and cranked it over until the reading stabilised, all 4 plugs we're out.

The readings we got from left to right we're;
1450. 1450. 500. 500. These are in Kpa.

So can anyone shed any light? I'm assuming the readings arn't good?

Thanks in advance

[hasekna]

Anyone?

[sleeper16]

70psi for an abf isnt good at all they should be around 200psi like the first two cylinders

whip valve cover off and look for any noticable problems if none try turning engine over by hand if still nothing then take the head off change gasket(may aswell if its off) and check to see of any signs that headgaskets gone
check for obvious things any cracks in head especially between the valves if nothing then get a engine shop etc to check valve seats etc see if they can see anything if not

i did the headgasket on my abf last winter not a big job make sure you use new head bolts and may aswell do cam belt while your on

[rubjonny]

check the static timing, maybe its jumped a tooth?