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[Chopsdad]

My 2003 2.2CD Petrol (manual) has started running lumpy when cold. Initial idle is rough and feels like a cylinder is misfiring intermittantly for the first 5 mins then runs aok. Garage changed the temperature sender and tech reports weak mixture at the lambda sensor. EML is on all the time now and it runs smooth but what should I look at first to fix. Car has 41k and timing belt was changed + rollers at 40k with service inc new plugs.  No flat spots at any other speed. Never stalled at idle. Ran for 200 miles on BP Ultimate after EML cancelled then flashed up again when started from cold next day. Garage doesn't want me to throw good money after bad but thinks problem may be leaking manifold - any ideas experts?

[Kev]

Sounds like a job for MarksDTM, our resident expert.  

I'd be surprised if it was the manifold though, especially if it clears up after five minutes.

[Chopsdad]

It clears up when the engine gets warm  - doesn't need 5 mins if already up to temperature. Thanks for your input.

[Kev]

It clears up when the engine gets warm  - doesn't need 5 mins if already up to temperature. Thanks for your input.

Can you hear a leak from the manifold? You should be able to hear it if you get your head in there when it's running.

[Chopsdad]

I'll give it a go.  Garage suggested hooking car up to MOT emissions tester & spraying manifold with combustable substance to see if readings spiked at the same time but we haven't tried it yet.

[Markie]

exhaut manifold you thinking Kev - sounds possible, always seems to be facelift 2.2`s with this.

You wil hear a tick tick tick as well if its the manifold chopsdad


let us know your findings  

[JasonH]

Is it 5 mins or more like 2 mins from cold?

The car runs open loop (not using lambda info) for a couple of mins from cold until the lambda sensor warms up. With info from the lambda sensor it could perhaps compensate for the real problem.

I'd suspect an air or vacuum leak. Especially as cambelt done recently.

[Chopsdad]

Thanks boys.  My ears are not able to pick up any hissing but I can her a "metallic" click, many times a second coming from the drivers side of the engine near to the oil filler cap.  To answer Q re time  - its longer than 2 mins and has been noted to miss when running downhill with my foot off the accelerator after 10 mins+.  Can't test it now though as its been limping home for over a month - will this kill my cat or is it ok for now?   :-/

[TheBoy]

Don't suppose you are anywhere near me, so we can Tech2 it?

(I'm in Brackley on the Bucks/Oxon/Northants border)

[Chopsdad]

Thanks for the offer but I'm up in Carlilse - car has been tech'd recently so I'll get the code and post it soon but the original Main Dealer test and subsequent Independant garage both flagged up weak mixture from the oxygen sensor.

[Marks DTM Calib]

We idealy need to know what the stored fault code is....

It could be a few things from a sticking injector (put a can of Forte fuel treatment into half a tank of fuel) to a faulty sensor.

Its the fault codes that will realy help to pin point the cause.....remember that any outfit with a fault reader should be able to assist with this.

As for measuring exhaust gases when the engine is not yet warm......pretty pointless!

[Chopsdad]

Thanks Mark.  I have run a Wynns injector cleaner prior to the problems after driving a new 1.4 Meriva and finding it more responsive than my 2.2.  VX main dealer thought this may have loosened some gum and this could be fouling the oxgen sensor and wanted to change it, but as the fault was intermittent at the time it wasn't changed.  I then found an accomadating independant who said that was a load of c**p and not to trust VX as they follow a flowchart and have little actual knowledge.  He's looking for the code and if he can't find it he'll tech it again next week.  (My memory is shouting 190-is that to do with weak running?)