Engine isn't running properly. I'm out of ideas, please help me!

[Nev]

I have a '91 NA G-Limited. Last week, under moderately heavy acceleration as I was coming off a slip road onto the motorway, all of a sudden the car lost power and isn't running properly.

I thought that it might be a spark problem, but I removed each plug in turn and the engine is still firing so all of the plugs must be working, put firing lights inline with the HT leads so I know all the plugs are getting their power, I've read everything I can find on here but nothing seems to apply to my problem.

If I can figure out how to do it I'll attach a video on here of the engine running to help anybody who knows about these things!

[g.lewarne]

any weird noises? oil consumption? oil in water? mayo under oil cap?

removed and cleaned dizzy cap terminals? checked rotor arm? checked fuel pump? blocked fuel filter?

error codes?

[JohnnyC]

When was fuel filter last changed?

How old are the ht leads?

How old are the dizzy cap & rotor arm?

[Nev]

[Nev]

You'll hear the noise as soon as I manage to link the vid
Oil consumption is ok, although when I took the plugs out the threads were saturated with oil although the tips were dry, but the car sprung an oil leak not so long ago so I though it was a remnant of that problem.
No oil in water, no mayo, is all good.
Dizzy terminals looked A-ok to me, and the caps been on for a smidge over 2 months, same as rotor arm and HT leads. Fuel filter & pump, I'm not so sure...

How do I get the error codes?

[Nev]

Can't figure it, here's a link instead:

http://s1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb4 ... busted.mp4

[jon_st205]

3 cylinders then.

Compression test each cyl.

[g.lewarne]

sounds more like 2 cylinders to me - my 2 sounded like that when 2 leads got damaged

[Nev]

I don't think that it's the HT leads, cos when I took the sparks out and held them against the earth they all had the same size spark. Plus, the engine still ran as I tested each plug. Looking around on eBay for a compression gauge atm, will have to go from there once I get hold of one I guess

[g.lewarne]

timing belt might have slipped a tooth or two as well

[Nev]

I don't suppose anyone's got a timing light I can borrow?

[g.lewarne]

I don't suppose anyone's got a timing light I can borrow?

wel I do but im rather far away - they can be had from ebay for about £25

[Nev]

Come to think of it, it's just an inductive circuit, isn't it? I'll experiment and build one. How hard can it be?

[cvega666]

How hard can it be?

Famous last words ! Good luck dude hope you get her running again!

[jon_st205]

Most likely culprit is HG between two cylinders so look for low compression on 2 adjacent cyls. Like you say if it was ignition related, you'd spot the duff cyl. In my experience a 3SGE won't idle without throttle on 2 cyls.

Jon

[g.lewarne]

Most likely culprit is HG between two cylinders so look for low compression on 2 adjacent cyls. Like you say if it was ignition related, you'd spot the duff cyl. In my experience a 3SGE won't idle without throttle on 2 cyls.

Jon

mine did, barely