Sounds like a tractor

[stevejd]

My 99 1.2 Mk2 sounds like a tractor on start up (feels like it too), cold and even when it's only stood for a few mins. After a couple of blips of the go pedal it evens out and runs clean. I'm guessing a misfire, the plugs are due for a change any way but could it be the coils?
Never had a car before with a coil per plug, much easier to diagnose on the old single coil systems.
Any one come across this?

 

[lemonnobby]

Re: Sounds like a traxctor

you only have 1 coil per 4 cylinder on 1.2 you have a coil pack and 4 leads

 

[TomTom]

Re: Sounds like a traxctor

Tappets mate

Give it a good service aswell if it needs one, plugs/filters/leads

 

[stevejd]

Well I've sussed the problem, the other half told me that a light was flashing on the dash this morning. Turned out to be coolant level.
So it's not the plugs as 1st thought, it's the chuffing head gasket. My friendly mechanic did a compression test and its blown between 2 & 3.
This happenned 30000 ago, is there a weakness in the design I wonder?
Ho hum £200 plus i couldn't really do with spending at the mo

 

[TomTom]

Not weakness as such mate, they're a pretty solid engine (for the amount abuse they get)

Not a massive job headgasket on them, could do it in a saturday without rushing atall

 

[stevejd]

I know its not that hard but don't have the time or tools (or motivation) but I know a man who can

 

[stevejd]

The tractor is fixed, 2p short of £250.
still I know the cambelt is now OK along with the plugs, oil, coolant & air filter.
damned expensive way to get a service though.
On the way home i realised I must service it more often, didn't realise how much the power was down and on a 1.2 that is important.