3 replies to this topic

[joey88]

I have 1998 mpi Paul Smith it's my first winter with her. Recently it's had a new fuel pump fitted. It's been generally struggling in the cold weather so I put a new battery and also changed the spark plugs and leads, topped up the antifreeze and oil and it seems to have got worse. It's now making a rattling whirring noise and it sounds like I'm in a washing machine on spin whenever I drive it. Also it's started stalling constantly and still struggles to start. Does anyone have any experience of this?

[malynch27]

Is there anything fouling on the engine? That would explain a rattle. Does the rattle change in pitch when you rev the engine? Rough running could be down to lots of things so it will have to be a process of elimination. How old is yiur fuel? Are all of the wires around the distributor/coil etc in good nick and connected? If all of the above is good, you will next have to look at the spark on your spark plugs. If one is not sparking, shenwill run on 3 cylinders but will be rough as and will have a lack of power when you put your foot down. Look at the condition of the coil and ht leads too.

Once you have confirmed that all of the things you can see when you lift the bonnet are good, you then need to see how good the things you cant see are such as the fuel pump, injectors, and worst case, see if something has come off of the engine internally.

Happy fault finding buddy.

[Compdoc]

Noises are difficult to pinpoint if you are not standing in front of the car. You really need to find out where that rattling noise is coming from as it sounds serious. I think the starter motor/flywheel area might be a good place to start. If you cant find out the source, don't be too embarrassed to take it into a garage. A trained mechanic should be able to put his finger straight on it. Could save you the cost of an engine.

[joey88]

So it's been in and had the main fuse box replaced but now it's over revving whilst driving and there's a rattling still and it's over heating. I'm not confident that the local garage knows what it's doing either as twice it's been in now and come back with problems. I'll try to film it and post it up.