Misfire Cause Found
Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:26 pm
Been a while since I've spent any time or money on the old thing, now trying to make good with a new water pump (thanks Morris) yet to be fitted and some effort into chasing a misfire that's been steadily worsening.
Today I found the cause of the misfire and I'm really not best pleased, to put it mildly.
Have a look at this:
Not long after I bought it I had new leads and cambelt fitted as I wasn't sure of the age of these parts. Now what the mechanic's done is used straight (instead of right-angle connectors) in the plug set and not pressed the metal inner home into the ignition coil pack on two pots. The plug shrouds are right-angle and straight connectors could certainly be used as has been done on the remaining two pots, but on the two that haven't - this is the result. The metal inner has been sitting at the top of the coil pack outer and the spark has just been jumping the gap or tracking the inside of the dielectric (more likely). Have a look at what it's done to the insulator - it was just dust! I am simply staggered that the car ran so long so well - phenomenal. Absolutely amazing.
What I don't know is if this was how the lead set was originally fitted or if it has been done in a subsequent service so I can't apportion blame. I'll see if I can build up the lost material with some epoxy compound or similar, but I feel the real solution is going to be a new coil pack.
So time to ask assistance of one and all - anyone got a decent second-hander sitting around in Melb??? Also anyone recommend a decent mechanic to replace the water pump - I just don't have the time or workspace at the moment. (Tony at FulTech doesn't seem to be answering his calls, maybe on hols?)
Thanks in advance.
Today I found the cause of the misfire and I'm really not best pleased, to put it mildly.
Have a look at this:
Not long after I bought it I had new leads and cambelt fitted as I wasn't sure of the age of these parts. Now what the mechanic's done is used straight (instead of right-angle connectors) in the plug set and not pressed the metal inner home into the ignition coil pack on two pots. The plug shrouds are right-angle and straight connectors could certainly be used as has been done on the remaining two pots, but on the two that haven't - this is the result. The metal inner has been sitting at the top of the coil pack outer and the spark has just been jumping the gap or tracking the inside of the dielectric (more likely). Have a look at what it's done to the insulator - it was just dust! I am simply staggered that the car ran so long so well - phenomenal. Absolutely amazing.
What I don't know is if this was how the lead set was originally fitted or if it has been done in a subsequent service so I can't apportion blame. I'll see if I can build up the lost material with some epoxy compound or similar, but I feel the real solution is going to be a new coil pack.
So time to ask assistance of one and all - anyone got a decent second-hander sitting around in Melb??? Also anyone recommend a decent mechanic to replace the water pump - I just don't have the time or workspace at the moment. (Tony at FulTech doesn't seem to be answering his calls, maybe on hols?)
Thanks in advance.
