Not a help or information request as such (although all opinions welcome) - more of a rambling thread.
Currently parked on my drive is a Vauxhall Corsa, it's a 2007 'D' with the almighty three cylinder 1 litre 12 valve engine. Female owned long term, not ragged or modified, reasonable history of oil changes etc.
I was told "It doesn't start very well, and when it's going, it judders a bit. It also stalls".
Understatement of the year
It will only start at WOT, and then runs on at least only two cylinders, possibly one and a half. It won't idle, and cuts out as soon as it comes to a standstill.
Fault codes stored are: lambda sensor no2 open circuit, lambda 2 heater fault, general misfire, and misfire cylinder 1.
I've not looked at it, other than this (haven't even lifted the bonnet yet) - but will do so today.
My money, in this order, is on
1) Burnt out / damaged valve
2) Ring / piston trouble
3) Coil pack
4) Plug
Doesn't use any oil, and no visible smoke from the rear.
I'll be surprised if no1 is the troublesome cylinder, though, as normally on the three pot lumps, I thought it was usually no3 that suffers.
With aches/pains/rain I won't be doing any more than removing the plugs and doing a visual inspection / compression test today, but place your bets here as to what's wrong