'98 clio with no power

[ClioRXE]

Hi guys,

could really do with a bit of help on this one.
My clio is a 1998 1.6 8v RXE model.
I was driving to work yesterday and it just seemed to lose 90% of it's power.
i put my foot down and it just wasn't going anywhere, and seemed to be really struggling to gain any power and revs.
also, one thing i noticed is that the noise from the induction kit was really loud (almost to the point it sounded as if i had no filter on at all)
From what i have read on here it seems that other people have had similar probs and it is nearly always the coil pack.
however, i have unplugged each lead one by one and it makes no difference to the running of the car.
is there any other way to test it?

Now, when i rev it i get a funny rattling sound, which i thought was the exhaust, but i have been told it sounds like 'pinking' - but i am not sure what 'pinking' is? - could somebody explain that?

Hopefully somebody will have an idea of what it could be??

Cheers!

 

[cliobritt]

Fueling problem?

 

[Bradharding]

pinking = pre-ignition. Word says it all. Fuel is being ignited before the spark.

 

[lemonnobby]

if you unplugged one by one of the HT leads should have misfired if pulled off all the way

 

[ClioRXE]

ok, my initial thought was fuelling... so i'll get it checked out...is it possible i could have a dodgey injector? or is it a bit vague to say that?
when i pulled the HT leads one by one, nothing happened. it still ran just the same (poorly)

 

[lemonnobby]

if i remember you have 2 coil packs if you took each lead off in turn you should have misfire on that cylinder unless theres no spark but if it was right for all 4 it wouldnt run perhaps you have got a inlet manifold gasket gone causing high idle? and idle speed veries? or faulty injector

 

[an02rew]

possibly fuel injection?

 

[ClioRXE]

if i remember you have 2 coil packs if you took each lead off in turn you should have misfire on that cylinder unless theres no spark but if it was right for all 4 it wouldnt run perhaps you have got a inlet manifold gasket gone causing high idle? and idle speed veries? or faulty injector

it's not idling high... but it does sometimes have a spell when at idle it nearly stalls - it reduces revs until near stall then revs back up again, then drops, risese...and will do this until i drive off (say if i'm at traffic lights etc)

seems everything is pointing to fuelling wouldn't you say?

 

[petroladdict]

sorry but, woo hoo another rxe driver

 

[Andi-B]

Might be an electronic fuel pump problem. I had that problem with my old 1.6 RSi..

I think it's near the fuel tank but don't quote me on that.

 

[lemonnobby]

seems like it i would check fuel filter first, any idea how long it been on there? then go from there

 

[SBV116]

First step, get it jacked up, undo the exhaust somewhere in front of the cat, so beetween the manifold and the cat, whatever bit is easiest, when it is detached start the car up, it should rev freely, i would think that the catalytic converter has collapsed blocking the exhaust! that will be causing a lot of induction roar also! try it!

 

[lemonnobby]

I have seen a failed cat before due to an injector fault causing this kind of problem now you say it it was on a 1.4 8v but its same engine (more or less) and same cat set up.

 

[SBV116]

any joy?

 

[ClioRXE]

thanks for all the help guys... i haven't had chance to take a look at it yet (her indoors has had me shopping all damn weekend!)
at least i have a few things to work on now.
i tried it earlier and it does seem a little better (the fault seems intermittent at the moment) i think it is deffo something to do with the fuelling.
i'll let you all know ASAP.

 

[SBV116]

thanks for all the help guys... i haven't had chance to take a look at it yet (her indoors has had me shopping all damn weekend!)
at least i have a few things to work on now.
i tried it earlier and it does seem a little better (the fault seems intermittent at the moment) i think it is deffo something to do with the fuelling.
i'll let you all know ASAP.

fixed it yet?