Ren 19 1.4 Auto - Misfire

Phil_G · Unread post by **Phil_G** » 07 Mar 2005, 21:22

Hi,
I've got a Renault 19 1.4 energy (E7J) auto. The tickover has been 'lumpy' since we bought the car a couple of years ago, but the last couple of days, the car has started to misfire when revved.
Driving along, the car just seems sluggish, but revs OK.
But, if you rev the car when stationary, the revs get to around 3000rpm, then will fall back to about 2500rpm and this is accompanied by a misfire as if it is running on 3 cylinders. Trying to accelerate more just makes the misfire worse. I don't seem to be able to get to more than 4000rpm, the misfire just gets chronic.
I took out the plugs and they were black with soot.
I've tried dizzy cap, rotor arm, ht leads, plugs and map sensor, which I think is about all the electrical items I can easily swap (I don't have a spare coil)
A diagnostic check today threw up a lambda sensor fault, but the guy felt that this was a result of the rich running rather than a problem with the sensor. There were no other error codes identified on the check.
From what I've read, I'm suspecting the SPFI.
Does anyone have any experience of this or could give me any ideas.
Thanks for any help
Phil

barrie0 · Unread post by **barrie0** » 08 Mar 2005, 22:26

I have heard of the water temperature sensor for the ecu failing and making the car run rich as the ecu thinks the engine is cold (there are normally 2 sensors ,one for the temp dash gauge and the other for the ecu) .
Worth a try as they should be around a fiver , or someone may be able to tell you how to test them .

Phil_G · Unread post by **Phil_G** » 09 Mar 2005, 22:50

Thanks for the reply Barrie.
I took the car to an independent Renault specialist in Dudley today.
It appears the timing belt had slipped a couple of teeth, but luckily had caused no damage!
All seems to be running fine now. [:)]

tonespeed1999 · Unread post by **tonespeed1999** » 09 Mar 2005, 23:04

that was lucky!
hope you had a new cambelt fitted at the same time!

Phil_G · Unread post by **Phil_G** » 10 Mar 2005, 22:46

I never actually asked him, I assumed he had fitted a new belt.
The old one was only a few thousand miles old, hmmm not sure now.

tonespeed1999 · Unread post by **tonespeed1999** » 10 Mar 2005, 23:58

i would double check!. there has to be a reason why the belt jumped in the first place!