Engine running rough after sitting.

Danny Boon · Post by **Danny Boon** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 2:15 pm

Hi all.
I Wonder if anyone can suggest to me possible problem I have with my 93
1600 MX5.
It has been sitting in the garage for about three months without being
used and now
when I take it for a drive I have a lot of coughing and spluttering.
Sometimes running on
three cylinders and then ok for a 1/2 a minute.
When it runs on all four for a few seconds its runs fine and power back
to normal and then it
goes back to running on three.
No power at all under load
I have fiddled with the high tension leads and it seemed to run fine for
a minute or two
but then reverted back to running rough.
Fiddling with them again didn't make any difference.
It was running fine when I put it in the garage a few months ago.
I heated it up and went about 15km and it hasnt come right.
There is just under 1/2 tank of gas in it.
Spark plugs ? condensation ?
Cant be too much wrong as it was fine when I had last used it.
Also if I was to replace the high tension leads to rule out that being
the problem where would I get the nice red ones
and how much would I expect to pay?
All help appreciated
I live in Christchurch
Regards Danny Boon

From jifjif@gmail.com Fri Apr 27 16:59:07 2007
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Date: Sat, 2 Jul 2005 17:45:57 +1200
From: ~Jeff~ <jifjif@gmail.com>
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may be worth draining the fuel tank and refilling, and also running
some injector cleaner through ...

On 7/2/05, Danny Boon <dannboon@netaccess.co.nz> wrote:
[...]

Post by **zorruno** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 5:46 pm

Danny Boon wrote:

Hi all.
I Wonder if anyone can suggest to me possible problem I have with my 93
1600 MX5.
It has been sitting in the garage for about three months without being
used and now
when I take it for a drive I have a lot of coughing and spluttering.

I'd replace the HT leads first. Some previous discussions:
http://www.mx5club.org.nz/emaillists/nz ... g00663.sht
http://mx5club.org.nz/emaillists/nzmx5l ... g01681.sht

http://www.google.co.nz/search?hl=en&q= ... lub.org.nz

Cheers
zorruno

poison · Post by **poison** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 6:22 pm

Hi Danny

Most likely cause is crappy spark plugs. Cheap as chips from Supercheap or
Repco and easy to replace, always a good starting point. Plugs can oil up
during storage.

Gazza
"PO1SON"

bert wouda · Post by **bert wouda** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 9:25 am

Could be a sticky injector (s) / combination of condensation in fuel
(tank, filter )...take it for a longer spin and see what happens .

BERT

***************

Michael & Kate Cooper · Post by **Michael & Kate Cooper** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 10:10 am

Do you have the technology to check the gaps on your spark plugs? Not sure
what the gap should be, though ... anyone else know?

Kate

KSCRIM · Post by **KSCRIM** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 11:07 am

1 to 1.1 mm (= 40 to 45 thou. in the "old" measurements )

[...]

EricW · Post by **EricW** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 6:43 pm

All of the above are appropriate, but be aware that the new "unleaded"
petrol has a "shelf life", it only performs well for about three months, it
tends to absorb moisture, so that's a good place to start.

You will also get water condensation in a half empty (or half full depending
on your viewpoint), tank, if it is left unused for a while, and the water
goes to the bottom of the tank, because it's denser than petrol, filling up
the fuel system with crap and incombustible liquid.

(A cup full of white meths in the tank works as an emergency water absorber
on marine diesels, but I'm not sure how it would go on a petrol engine, does
anyone know)?

The high tension leads can also get affected by condensation if they don't
get hot and dry out once in a while, and will break down. The fact that you
get an improvement by fiddling with them points in that direction.

It could, as you see, be quite a few things, but it probably won't be
anything serious.

Eric

Danny Boon · Post by **Danny Boon** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 1:19 pm

Thanks all for all your help.
Will try all of the things suggested.
Will fit new leads ( thank you Keith see your personal E Mail ), plugs
and will
get some fuel additive to disperse the water if any in the tank.
Just thinking back I remember that I had the engine steam cleaned a day
or so before I put it in
the garage as I had some painting done to the bonnet and they messed up
the engine bay with
paint dust etc.
Keith if you could contact me I will take you up on the plug lead offer.
021-150-8805 or (03) 377-2335
If I dont answer straight away I will be in the hospital with my Nephew.
( Burst appendix )
Best regards Danny

Eric & Ann West wrote:

[...]

MX5PWR · Post by **MX5PWR** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 3:12 pm

Hi Danny, before you go spending too much money, the steam cleaning will probably be the problem. I would almost put money on that there is moisture sitting around one or more of the plugs in the cylinder head and inside the leads.

A good blow out with a high preasure hose or take the leads off and run a cloth down around the plugs to pick up most of the moisture, remove the plugs and dry out plugs and leads. I does not take very much moisture for the spark to go everywhere but to the right place.

Problems with leads normally only show up when the engine is under load not just iddling.

It is amazing how many engine cleans have resulted in rough running - water is great for that!!

Good luck.

Nigel

[...]

Danny Boon · Post by **Danny Boon** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 12:26 am

Nigel Thank you
Lots of water in the spark plug tunnels.
Cleaned as much out as I could and car started running great till I left
it sitting again.
more moisture. Have done it two or three times and still not dry yet .
There was about 1 or two mils of water in each so dont know what they
must have cleaned the engine with.
I would assume a water blaster due to the amount of water in them.
Will make sure it is completely dry before I remove the plugs as I do
not want the water to drip down into the cyclinder.
Thanks all for your help.
I am not very mechanically minded. Know a wee bit but not much.
Regards Danny

nigel.e@xtra.co.nz wrote:

Hi Danny, before you go spending too much money, the steam cleaning will probably be the problem. I would almost put money on that there is moisture sitting around one or more of the plugs in the cylinder head and inside the leads.

A good blow out with a high preasure hose or take the leads off and run a cloth down around the plugs to pick up most of the moisture, remove the plugs and dry out plugs and leads. I does not take very much moisture for the spark to go everywhere but to the right place.

Problems with leads normally only show up when the engine is under load not just iddling.

It is amazing how many engine cleans have resulted in rough running - water is great for that!!

Good luck.

Nigel

From: Danny Boon <dannboon@netaccess.co.nz> Date: 2005/07/04 Mon PM 01:19:52 GMT+12:00
To: MX5List <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz> Subject: Re: Engine running rough after sitting.

Thanks all for all your help.
Will try all of the things suggested.
Will fit new leads ( thank you Keith see your personal E Mail ), plugs
and will
get some fuel additive to disperse the water if any in the tank.
Just thinking back I remember that I had the engine steam cleaned a day
or so before I put it in
the garage as I had some painting done to the bonnet and they messed up
the engine bay with
paint dust etc.
Keith if you could contact me I will take you up on the plug lead offer.
021-150-8805 or (03) 377-2335
If I dont answer straight away I will be in the hospital with my Nephew.
( Burst appendix )
Best regards Danny

Eric & Ann West wrote:

All of the above are appropriate, but be aware that the new "unleaded"
petrol has a "shelf life", it only performs well for about three
months, it tends to absorb moisture, so that's a good place to start.

You will also get water condensation in a half empty (or half full
depending on your viewpoint), tank, if it is left unused for a while,
and the water goes to the bottom of the tank, because it's denser than
petrol, filling up the fuel system with crap and incombustible liquid.

(A cup full of white meths in the tank works as an emergency water
absorber on marine diesels, but I'm not sure how it would go on a
petrol engine, does anyone know)?

The high tension leads can also get affected by condensation if they
don't get hot and dry out once in a while, and will break down. The
fact that you get an improvement by fiddling with them points in that
direction.

It could, as you see, be quite a few things, but it probably won't be
anything serious.

Eric

Danny Boon · Post by **Danny Boon** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 12:41 am

Oh one more thing.
I have not taken out the plugs yet but from shining a torch down the on
them they look like they are rusted at the base just above where they are
screwed in.
Maybe from the water sitting there for 3 months.
Can anyone tell be what size spark plug remover do I need to buy to
remove them and if I was to replace them is it worth putting in the
iridium plugs or should I just stick with the normal ones.
Regards again Danny

Danny Boon wrote:

Nigel Thank you
Lots of water in the spark plug tunnels.
Cleaned as much out as I could and car started running great till I left
it sitting again.
more moisture. Have done it two or three times and still not dry yet .
There was about 1 or two mils of water in each so dont know what they
must have cleaned the engine with.
I would assume a water blaster due to the amount of water in them.
Will make sure it is completely dry before I remove the plugs as I do
not want the water to drip down into the cyclinder.
Thanks all for your help.
I am not very mechanically minded. Know a wee bit but not much.
Regards Danny

nigel.e@xtra.co.nz wrote:

Hi Danny, before you go spending too much money, the steam cleaning will probably be the problem. I would almost put money on that there is moisture sitting around one or more of the plugs in the cylinder head and inside the leads.

A good blow out with a high preasure hose or take the leads off and run a cloth down around the plugs to pick up most of the moisture, remove the plugs and dry out plugs and leads. I does not take very much moisture for the spark to go everywhere but to the right place.

Problems with leads normally only show up when the engine is under load not just iddling.

It is amazing how many engine cleans have resulted in rough running - water is great for that!!

Good luck.

Nigel

From: Danny Boon <dannboon@netaccess.co.nz> Date: 2005/07/04 Mon PM 01:19:52 GMT+12:00
To: MX5List <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz> Subject: Re: Engine running rough after sitting.

Thanks all for all your help.
Will try all of the things suggested.
Will fit new leads ( thank you Keith see your personal E Mail ), plugs
and will
get some fuel additive to disperse the water if any in the tank.
Just thinking back I remember that I had the engine steam cleaned a day
or so before I put it in
the garage as I had some painting done to the bonnet and they messed up
the engine bay with
paint dust etc.
Keith if you could contact me I will take you up on the plug lead offer.
021-150-8805 or (03) 377-2335
If I dont answer straight away I will be in the hospital with my Nephew.
( Burst appendix )
Best regards Danny

Eric & Ann West wrote:

All of the above are appropriate, but be aware that the new "unleaded"
petrol has a "shelf life", it only performs well for about three
months, it tends to absorb moisture, so that's a good place to start.

You will also get water condensation in a half empty (or half full
depending on your viewpoint), tank, if it is left unused for a while,
and the water goes to the bottom of the tank, because it's denser than
petrol, filling up the fuel system with crap and incombustible liquid.

(A cup full of white meths in the tank works as an emergency water
absorber on marine diesels, but I'm not sure how it would go on a
petrol engine, does anyone know)?

The high tension leads can also get affected by condensation if they
don't get hot and dry out once in a while, and will break down. The
fact that you get an improvement by fiddling with them points in that
direction.

It could, as you see, be quite a few things, but it probably won't be
anything serious.

Eric

From m.mccready@gmail.com Fri Apr 27 16:58:44 2007
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Date: Tue, 5 Jul 2005 09:31:39 +1200
From: Mike McCready <m.mccready@gmail.com>
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Subject: Fading bumper
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Hi,
I recently gave my 5 a thorough cut and polish, it came up great
on the metal parts, but on the plastic parts it still remains a dull
red. Any ideas on how to bring this up to shine.

Thanks,
Mike

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