Help! Engine light flashing, weird ticking sound from engine, lost power

22nd December 2010, 09:46

Hey guys really need some help, basically on my way driving to work this morning i noticed on my dash the orange engine light was flashing i was ignoring this and would have a little look at this later.

Anywayyyy i was 5 minutes away from work and i got to a crossroads and noticed my car was vibrating more than normal and was pulling away like a tractor, i was wondering could this be the cambelt? Im not certain its been changed before, also what does the engine light meab when its on/flashing.

Ive decatted my car with a new manifold a couple of days ago could this be part of the problem, aaah i havent got time off work for a little while so cant really take my car to a garage for sometime

Would really appreciate anyones help please lol
Cheers
Mark

22nd December 2010, 09:57

Cam belts usually work or snap and sieze the engine.I suspect your exhaust work might be the problem.What did you do with the lambda sensors when you did the exhaust

22nd December 2010, 10:01

Thanks for replying mate, someone i know fitted the manifold for me as i look under the bonnet both lambda sensors are in the manifold was abit unsure on this because isnt the cat lambda meant to be sleeved and a blanking nut meant to be put in place of the manifold but could this really be the problem?

22nd December 2010, 10:38

Tractor sound, hmm.. Firstly, as the EML is on, this rules out the coilpack.

Im thinking Fuel Filter at best here, not sure if the EML comes on, it does in my brothers Fiesta that acts similar to yours on a bad day. At worst im thinking the Headgasket. Has it been run low on coolant levels? Seems like the car is only firing on 2 or 3 cylinders.

Here is the list of possibilities it could be though;

▪ Spark plugs
▪ Coil, HT leads, coil pack
▪ Fuel injectors
▪ Air filter
▪ Intake air temperature sensor
▪ Fuel filter: especially if ran on empty
▪ Idle control valve (aka idle air control valve, stepper motor)
▪ Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor
▪ Coolant temperature sensor
▪ Crankshaft sensor (aka TDC sensor, engine speed sensor)
▪ Cylinder head gasket
▪ Lambda / oxygen sensor
▪ Inlet manifold air leak

Not sure which ones would engage the EML, but its just possibilities for you to check.

22nd December 2010, 10:49

is it an engine noise is is it you havnt put the manifold and cat on properly so has a leak?

engine light could be on due to the lambda sensor not being in a sleeve?

Vibration could be from a broken top engine mount and combined with the rest would cause all that, otherwise sounds like you could have a nice problem on your hands

22nd December 2010, 12:00

I had this on my car the EML light came on the car put itself in limp home mode,my problem was a burnt out valve.

Steve.

22nd December 2010, 12:09

Thanks for trying to help me diagnose the problem guys, the manifold was fitted professionally so i dont think theres a fitmen problem there, i just went for a quick drive on my lunch and the problem of the car running sluggish stopped i think it may be the bottom lamdba sensor once the car is warmed up? i may get a sleeve for it and a blanking nut see if that helps if it does it again, i do have a bit of a rattle from the engine bay or under the car when i put my foot down and i cant think what that is, that problem has also been around for a little while, so frustrating lol, also thanks domleydon for listi g problems that may of occured i will just have to pop into a garage when ive got time

22nd December 2010, 14:03

How cheap and easy are some of these supposidly problems to fix, cheers guys really appreciate your time