car hesitating and exhaust popping?!

1. user_59011 Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2012 Posts: 100

   #1 22nd April 2013, 09:48

   morning!
   
   right i posted this on owners but no help so far!
   
   i'll just copy and paste what i posted in there
   
   had a couple of problems recently, had to pull over the other day due to serious knocking coming from the engine, turns out it was "spark knock" where my spark plugs weren't in properly. Obviously since i found out they've been tightened.
   
   However my car now seems to hesitate in first and second gear, it holds back and sounds as if my exhaust is popping and backfiring, i have a pugsport which makes it more noticeable and embaressing aswell
   
   not sure if the problems are related but does anyone know what it could be?
   
   cheers, lewis
2. Chris_O Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2007 Kent Posts: 4175 RB25'd s14a + 2008 MWB Transit

   #2 22nd April 2013, 10:02

   Sounds like it could be mis-fire, I would stick new set of plugs in, and look at the coil pack
3. user_59011 Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2012 Posts: 100

   #3 22nd April 2013, 10:13

   how often should plugs be replaced? i've had them in no more than a year, i'll take them out and check the condition, what should they look like and any signs i should be looking for to be sure they need replacing? cheers
4. user_59011 Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2012 Posts: 100

   #4 22nd April 2013, 12:09

   Just for future reference I've changed the plugs and the car runs fine again now, the end of the spark plug had come off!
5. Pricklep Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 31279 Citroen Saxo VTS, S60 D5

   #5 22nd April 2013, 12:10

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by LW93 Just for future reference I've changed the plugs and the car runs fine again now, the end of the spark plug had come off!

   I wonder where thats sitting in the engine
6. user_59011 Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2012 Posts: 100

   #6 22nd April 2013, 12:50

   I know haha I'll cross that bridge when I come to it the plugs have been playing up for a while and I did an oil change recently so I'm hoping it came out In that, or I heard the end up at the cat converter, as I have a pugsport decat maybe it shot out the back
7. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

   #7 22nd April 2013, 13:24

   how would it have got into the oil? Maybe though the hole in the piston that its smashed perhaps...
   the snapped off end of a spark plug with its electrode isnt going to fit through a valve port too easily either
8. m4tt274 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Sep 2011 Doncaster Posts: 2627 Fabia VRS, mk1 fiesta + some others

   #8 22nd April 2013, 13:35

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Prickle I wonder where thats sitting in the engine

   Probably knocked 7 shades out of the piston face until it came out of the exhaust!
9. user_59011 Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2012 Posts: 100

   #9 22nd April 2013, 13:55

   It's only the tiny 'bend' metal piece that has come off, the plugs have been playing up a while so I'm hoping its worked its way out already, I'll get a picture of said spark plug! And not sure, I was told to do an oil change and check if its in there
10. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

    #10 22nd April 2013, 14:15

    its not going to get into the oil, it'll have to get past the piston and rings to do that which is impossible. It may have come out the past exhaust valve, very lucky if it has though. Might have scored the bore, i'd get an endoscope in there or at least a magnet on a stick down the plug hole and have a fish about
11. user_59011 Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2012 Posts: 100

    #11 22nd April 2013, 14:47

    Thing is the plug which was broken was thick black, the others seemed fine, just a bit odd haha ill keep an eye on the plugs and any unusual noises and engine performance etc