16V - Struggling Engine Issue!

[Procomp]

Hi
Looking for some advise on where to go next on my 16V and it's engine problem.

Basically, the car will start and run on tick over absolutely fine.  If you start off ......... again it will drive ok.  But if you either try and floor the gas pedal either stationary or on the move, the engine begins to stutter and struggle 

When I floored the gas with the car stopped, the revs get to around 2,500prm, then they can't seem to get any higher than 3,000rpm, the needle just labours between 2,500-3,000rpm and the engine sound as if it's not getting enough fuel/air mixture into it.

The only way to drive the car, is to be very gentle on the gas pedal, as even when you are driving along, it can begin to become very jerky as the engine struggles again.

Not sure if this is the cause or just another issue to resolve, but the fuel pump is very noisy.  You can hear it when you start the ignition or even when the engine is running.  Does anyone know if the pump works faster as you apply more gas?

The fuel is getting through to the metering unit ok and the fuel is fine.  Any advise or areas to look at would be welcome.

Cheers
G

[aaron1980]

Hi when was the last time you changed the air and fuel filters?

[DarnPB]

This sounds like ignition to me. How old are your sparkplugs, dizzy cap etc? The mixture could be putting the spark out and this would be more evident when you load up the engine.
Check your plugs and look at the electrodes. If they are thin or the gap is very small, then replace them.
Check your distributor cap and rotor arm. The contacts should still be visable and have a frosted appearance. Any burning or breakage requires them to be replaced. Also check the carbon brush in the cap. It should be springy and be able to be pushed in and spring out easily.
Start with these, then post up an update.

[parrotveasey81]

also when did you last change the plugs,leads,dizzy and rota arm as i had a smiler problem on my suzuki sj and it turned out that the plugs did not give a good enough spark to burn the fuel when revved but did not misfire

[parrotveasey81]

just been beaten to that one

[Procomp]

Hi
Thanks for the suggestions.  I'll have a look at the dizzy/rota tomorrow morning.  Also will look at the filters out of interest. 

If anyone has any other suggestions, please keep em coming!

Cheers!!

G

[Procomp]

Update on the car...........Changed the dizzy and rota this morning.  The leads and plugs were done by the previous owner a few weeks ago, these look ok to me, so I've left them as is.

Unfortunately still the same problem.  Even added some injector cleaner to the jets, but the car still struggles badly if you floor the accelorator.  It won't go over 3,000rpms.

Thinking it worth looking at the fuel filter and pump (this is very noisey).  I've alreadly replaced the fuel metering unit as when I got the car it was a non-runner because the old unit was shot.  The car doesn't have an air filter at the moment in the air box, so I wondering if this could be a problem as well, although the car tickover and starts ok as I've said before?  Will get one of course, but couldn't find one at Halfords this morning. 

If anyone got any ideas where to go next, it would be great to hear them.

Thanks again !
G

[DarnPB]

You didn't say if you looked at the plugs. These would have been the first things I would have looked at. And even if the gaps looked ok, the plugs and tell an awful lot about what is going on with the engine.

[Procomp]

I didn't have a socket that would get the plugs out, but I will have tomorrow.  I've got some new plugs ready to gap and go in which I'll do tomorrow night and let you know how the old ones are looking.

Appreciate the help btw!

G

[dan7]

Check for split hoses or stray vacuum pipes. Very tempramental engines, as I've recently learnt!