car running badly

[adambear]

My fd3 has not been used for some time and i have started it a few times but has not wanted to run as well, i put this down to it being realy low on fuel as was nearly out but have put about 20 litres in it today and started it and it still sounds like it is only running on one port as if its missing, the engine was re-build in december last year so could the engine have blown already? i have read about putting oil in to raise the compression but was not sure if this applys to me as the car will start, the plugs are looking a bit worse for ware but i have tested them on another car and can see they are getting a spark, and i am getting a live to them as i have tested another plug in them to check the ht wile it was running. could i have a blocked injector on one side as i ran it so low on fuel? where do i start?
thanks in advance.....

[super27]

How long has it been since you last run it?  it could be that one of the tip seals is sticking maybe you need to take it for a good hard drive warming it up first of course

[adambear]

about 3 months, i was worried to drive it if it was not burning the fuel on one port then there may be a chance the unburned fuel would wash off any oil coating the tips?

[philiwily]

If the spark plugs look worse for ware don\'t test them, change them.
They don\'t tend to last long.

Phil

[Efinity]

Perform a compression test to see if there is anything wrong with the engine, the fugues may give youindication as to whether any seals might need replacing or any leaks.

Maybe try updating your oem ignition leads to aftermarket ones. More spark may improve how the car runs.

Hope you get it sweet again

[adambear]

i ran it today taking turns in taking the bottom plugs out and the compression sounded strong, i will do a popper test on the weekend and have got some new plugs to im in plugs to

[m1tch]

Also, how old are the HT leads? Have to take the caps off both ends and made sure they weren\'t gummed up or corroded?

[adambear]

i have no idea hoq old the leads are, would a realy weak spark realy so much of a difference? its hard to explain but it sounds like its fireing but running very very quetly it only realy make any noise if you realy rev it up hard but sounds a bit like an old lawnlower on tick over

[m1tch]

If the spark is weak you might have issues starting it and only get a partial burn, also, I know this sounds odd but are the HT leads on the correct plugs?

[jowell16]

Try getting some new plugs and mite be worth giving the leads a good clean. Try the simple things first before assuming the worst. The plugs can drop a spark if they have a slight bad
connection.

[adambear]

i think the leads are on the right way i did think of that and have tried the bottom two round the other way but still the same, i will rip em off at the weekend and have a propper look, im just putting off taking the side of the plenum off lol

[adambear]

i have replaced the plugs today and put in some expensive injector cleaner and the car is still runnig bad, its better that it was but still is holding back, the only way i can describe it is if you pull the maf sensor off a normal car or pull one plug off or there is a big vacume pipe off, it runns well or seems to over high revs but is a pig to rev up and has an almost silent tick over wich shakes the whole car like a normal car running on 2 cyclinders, is there any other normal vacume pipes that normaly come off that could cause this sort of running. sorry bum im now getting to the stage where is feel like its all over and i may as well sell it as parts lol even though it was running ok when i left it lol. adam

[Jit]

Doesnt sound like a vacuum hose issue. What is the idle vacuum like...assuming if the engine is shaking then the idle vac will be quite jumpy. TBH sounds like a chipped tip or some sort of compression issue. Depending on what area of essex you are in, you might want to get it down to somewhere like Stuart (knsolution - 07812113143) and get him to have a poke around.

[super27]

Have you taken it out for a drive yet? I know it sounds bad but take it out for a thrash if a tip seal is stuck in it will have the same symptoms as loss of compression.
the tip seal is sprung as you may or may not know if its been sat for a while under compression it may be stuck in. also worth noting before you go buying new plug leads the oem leads are better than most after market ones

[adambear]

i havent taken it for a drive yet as im waiting for an aftermarket bumper to be sprayed, i have done all i can on the drie reving it up but i know its not propper under load, the leads look ok and when i pull the caps off i get a killer electic shock so i think they are ok lol