Injector Problem?

DJW · 18th September 2009, 22:20

One of our cars, ZT160 sometimes has a misfire on starting so I fitted new plugs and filled it with BP Ultimate.
The problem was still there, I have noticed that there is sometimes white smoke on starting, lots of inhalation and staring later and I am convinced it smells of petrol and looks different to steam so am sure it is a not a head gasket fault - the car uses no water and does not overheat.
The car goes like stink and the length of time it is left for has no bearing on whether it starts up rough or not.

Today it played up a lot and even refused to start, when I got home I tried it and it sounded like it had no compression so I removed the top bolts from the belt cover, belt felt tight so had the engine turned over and it started!!

Did a compression test anyway all OK.

I noticed that plug in number 3 cylinder looked slightly different to the others (very slightly but definitely different) so am now thinking of maybe a coil fault.

To sum up, the car does not overheat, uses no water, the smoke smells like fuel, does not look like steam and the car has done only 210 miles on 3/4 of a tank. (should be around 300) this makes me think of a leaking injector. (to my knowledge not common on petrol - unlike the diesels)
The plugs had an odd one out, the compressions are OK and it does not do it all the time - coil fault??
It does not do it all the time, it always clears with a bit of a rev and the engine light does not come ever so it is not a failed sensor of any sort.

Any suggestions or memories would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Danny

stocktake · 19th September 2009, 21:08

not got a clue on this but bumpety bump

Phil · 20th September 2009, 12:15

It could be any number of things, but to start with, I would change the spark plug as that is by far the cheapest thing to do.

mantianak · 20th September 2009, 14:31

He's already done the plugs.

Danny, is the 160 a 1.8T or KV6?

DJW · 20th September 2009, 20:43

Sorry, it's a 1.8T

Phil · 20th September 2009, 20:46

My bad, sorry I missed the fact you'd changed the plugs. \when you say one plug looked different, did it look cleaner than the others?

mantianak · 20th September 2009, 22:52

Can't say about the 1.8T but with my KV6 it had a misfire due to a corroded HT lead. Also heard of coils going too but I would think it would still show as a misfire on diagnostics. I had a small leak once on the injectors but it could be seen damp and smelt of fuel. Again, not sure how applicable it is for 1.8.

I know nothing about them but would the turbo need investigating?

18th September 2009, 22:20	#1
DJW Avid contributor MG ZT CDTI, MG ZT 160+ Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 129 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Injector Problem? One of our cars, ZT160 sometimes has a misfire on starting so I fitted new plugs and filled it with BP Ultimate. The problem was still there, I have noticed that there is sometimes white smoke on starting, lots of inhalation and staring later and I am convinced it smells of petrol and looks different to steam so am sure it is a not a head gasket fault - the car uses no water and does not overheat. The car goes like stink and the length of time it is left for has no bearing on whether it starts up rough or not. Today it played up a lot and even refused to start, when I got home I tried it and it sounded like it had no compression so I removed the top bolts from the belt cover, belt felt tight so had the engine turned over and it started!! Did a compression test anyway all OK. I noticed that plug in number 3 cylinder looked slightly different to the others (very slightly but definitely different) so am now thinking of maybe a coil fault. To sum up, the car does not overheat, uses no water, the smoke smells like fuel, does not look like steam and the car has done only 210 miles on 3/4 of a tank. (should be around 300) this makes me think of a leaking injector. (to my knowledge not common on petrol - unlike the diesels) The plugs had an odd one out, the compressions are OK and it does not do it all the time - coil fault?? It does not do it all the time, it always clears with a bit of a rev and the engine light does not come ever so it is not a failed sensor of any sort. Any suggestions or memories would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Danny

19th September 2009, 21:08	#2
stocktake Vis Whiz Rover 75 2.5 auto Saloon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEEDS Posts: 20,591 Thanks: 2,057 Thanked 3,056 Times in 1,621 Posts	not got a clue on this but bumpety bump __________________ Dave... Lost a few stones and a Gall Bladder and part of a bile duct and all of my dignity in the suppository incident

20th September 2009, 12:15	#3
Phil This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Connoisseur SE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Wales Posts: 12,227 Thanks: 469 Thanked 523 Times in 241 Posts	It could be any number of things, but to start with, I would change the spark plug as that is by far the cheapest thing to do. __________________

20th September 2009, 14:31	#4
mantianak I really should get out more....... ZT 190+ Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Poole Posts: 2,413 Thanks: 6 Thanked 22 Times in 21 Posts	He's already done the plugs. Danny, is the 160 a 1.8T or KV6? __________________ http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1..._signature.png

20th September 2009, 20:46	#6
Phil This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Connoisseur SE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Wales Posts: 12,227 Thanks: 469 Thanked 523 Times in 241 Posts	My bad, sorry I missed the fact you'd changed the plugs. \when you say one plug looked different, did it look cleaner than the others? __________________

20th September 2009, 20:43	#5
DJW Avid contributor MG ZT CDTI, MG ZT 160+ Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 129 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sorry, it's a 1.8T

20th September 2009, 22:52	#7
mantianak I really should get out more....... ZT 190+ Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Poole Posts: 2,413 Thanks: 6 Thanked 22 Times in 21 Posts	Can't say about the 1.8T but with my KV6 it had a misfire due to a corroded HT lead. Also heard of coils going too but I would think it would still show as a misfire on diagnostics. I had a small leak once on the injectors but it could be seen damp and smelt of fuel. Again, not sure how applicable it is for 1.8. I know nothing about them but would the turbo need investigating? __________________ http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1..._signature.png