172 Bad noise, bad performance, backfiring???

[Siclops58]

Hi guys,

Anyone know why my 2001 172 has decided to break down over night? The power in acceleration jumps up and down, the exhaust sounds like a knackered muscle car and it keeps backfiring. I know the spark plugs can effect this, and the other day i very lightly cleaned the engine bay (damp cloth, no pressure washer) has this done something to the plugs?. it also ran very low on petrol on the same day, but didn't completely run out - but had to fill up with tesco petrol has it sucked up the gunk from the tank?

Any help is appreciated, i understand changing spark plugs isn't as easy as it sounds if you dont have the right tools, and if all i need to do is change the fuel filter that would save me a load of cash

cheers

 

[DrR]

Coil pack?

 

[john lloyd]

modern fuels dont really suffer with crap in the bottom of tanks and you have a fuel filter so i wouldnt worry about the fuel side. sounds like maybe mositure has found its way into the ignition system.

take the plugs out and dry them, also the leads and make sure non are cracked maybe a touch of wd40 and then after that maybe coilpack? im sure someone more technically experienced on the clio engine will come along though and proivde some pointers. good luck.

 

[Siclops58]

ill give it a try thanks, should i be disconnecting the batery before i do this?