Rough Idle And Accelerating Hiccups

[StellaE]

Hi,

My Carina E (4A-FE - 1.6 - 1995 - 99,350 miles on clock) came out of the garage yesterday after having a new water pump and timing belt fitted (£250 at Toyota) after coolant loss over the past 2 weeks.

Prior to this the car had developed an irritating misfire in early Summer. A mechanically minded friend of mine replace the spark plugs (platinum tipped), dizzy cap, air filter and HT leads during August, but this did not remedy the problem. Eventually in October, a trip to the Toyota garage diagnosed a faulty fuel injector (#4) and this was replaced. The mechanics also mentioned the fact that the HT leads were not Toyota branded and did not fit onto the spark plugs properly.

The fuel injector job sorted out the misfire but I still noticed that the car could sometimes run a bit rough after parking up for about half an hour before setting off again. It would only do it now and then and was only slight. I put it down to the loose HT leads and had been meaning to replace them again.

However, since getting it back from the garage yesterday the car is running noticeably rougher, especially when under load/acceleration and whilst idling I can feel it hiccuping.

So, do you think this could be because the garage didn't tension the timing belt correctly or do you think it is down to these loose HT leads? The leads do not secure down, they instantly pop back up again and I'm sure that these must be affecting the car's performance, but it certainly wasn't this bad before the garage worked on it, hence my reasons for thinking it's the timing belt.

Is there any way I can get these leads to bed down, they weren't this bad when they were first installed, but look terrible now (photos below). And does anyone know where I can get cheap HT lead replacements - they all seem £40+?

Thanks,

Stella

[Black Knight]

I'd be expecting a hell of a lot more problems if the garage hadn't tensioned the belt properly so it was slipping.

What you're describing is pretty classic misfire and I'd almost certainly put it down to the loose HT leads. Can't think how to get them to fit properly. I'd just replace the things

[215 compressor]

Hi,

My Carina E (4A-FE - 1.6 - 1995 - 99,350 miles on clock) came out of the garage yesterday after having a new water pump and timing belt fitted (£250 at Toyota) after coolant loss over the past 2 weeks.

Prior to this the car had developed an irritating misfire in early Summer. A mechanically minded friend of mine replace the spark plugs (platinum tipped), dizzy cap, air filter and HT leads during August, but this did not remedy the problem. Eventually in October, a trip to the Toyota garage diagnosed a faulty fuel injector (#4) and this was replaced. The mechanics also mentioned the fact that the HT leads were not Toyota branded and did not fit onto the spark plugs properly.

The fuel injector job sorted out the misfire but I still noticed that the car could sometimes run a bit rough after parking up for about half an hour before setting off again. It would only do it now and then and was only slight. I put it down to the loose HT leads and had been meaning to replace them again.

However, since getting it back from the garage yesterday the car is running noticeably rougher, especially when under load/acceleration and whilst idling I can feel it hiccuping.

So, do you think this could be because the garage didn't tension the timing belt correctly or do you think it is down to these loose HT leads? The leads do not secure down, they instantly pop back up again and I'm sure that these must be affecting the car's performance, but it certainly wasn't this bad before the garage worked on it, hence my reasons for thinking it's the timing belt.

Is there any way I can get these leads to bed down, they weren't this bad when they were first installed, but look terrible now (photos below). And does anyone know where I can get cheap HT lead replacements - they all seem £40+?

Thanks,

Stella

looking at the picture of your leads i would say that the inner part of the lead needs to be pulled through a bit this would put the square part lower onto the hole .try that

[gazza1286]

The plug leads and rocker box cover need to be removed to replace the timing belt and water pump. They may not have been re-connected properly. The leads are definitely wrong and need changing. Either that or the plugs you had replaced recently aren't right!!.

The timing belt tension has nothing to do with the running of the car. It is a simple mis-fire. One of the cylinder is not firing.

This is simple to diagnose.

With the engine running pull each of the plug leads out from the rocker cover, one at a time. You will notice two things:

(i) On three occasions the engine will probably run EVEN rougher (possibly even stall):

(ii) On one occasion there will be no difference to the engine note. This will be the cylinder misfiring. You might be able to fiddle with the lead to get it to work properly.

You might want to be wearing either rubber gloves or used insulated pliers to avoid and shocks.

Don't leave this too long to get sorted as damage will be done to the catalytic converter.

[StellaE]

Hi again,

Many thanks to all who replied to my problem. I'm so pleased I have managed to fix the problem myself by doing what 215 Compressor suggested. I didn't realise you could adjust the leads like this, but I pushed the square rubber bit down the spark connector (just half an inch) and pulled the lead through a little and they fit in lovely now. I've taken it for a 40 minute journey and it runs so smooth now. :D Thanks again!

Stella

[215 compressor]

Hi again,

Many thanks to all who replied to my problem. I'm so pleased I have managed to fix the problem myself by doing what 215 Compressor suggested. I didn't realise you could adjust the leads like this, but I pushed the square rubber bit down the spark connector (just half an inch) and pulled the lead through a little and they fit in lovely now. I've taken it for a 40 minute journey and it runs so smooth now. :D Thanks again!

Stella

SO PLEASED THAT GOT IT SORTED FOR YOU

[pureum]

My case, I drove my Carina-e CD AUTO 1996 reg to Netherland after 1week from previous owner. Previous owner mentioned the plug cables were changed. After long travel, my carina-e did not start engine. After several tries, I noticed that the changed spark plug cables were not correct model. Then, I paid to Hlaford 63 sterlings for official cable for 5 cable. Then, the problem was cleared. I would recommend you to change even it is expensive.

On halford, you just ask the correct lead cable sets for your carina.