Misfire

[Z4_LZF]

The sun appeared in North Wales today, so I got the Zed out and gave her a light wash and dry.

Got about two miles for home and a misfire developed, got steadily worse until it cut out in traffic with the EML appearing. It thankfully restarted and I managed to nurse home.

The garage who I bought it from are gonna take a look this week, but I suspect a coil pack. I don’t have a reader, so couldn’t really sort myself.

Is it worth changing all of them? At £25 each, it’s not too bad. Especially if the garage is footing the bill for one.

[deltasierra]

One coil pack probably would not stall the car, it might on a 4cyl not on a 6cyl. Mine did the misfiring trick on a short trip, got home with difficulty, checked everything out, I suspected the Vanos solenoids so removed them, cleaned and replaced them, changed the oil and filter, it hasn’t missed a beat since.

[Z4_LZF]

That’s an interesting one. Cheers.

[deltasierra]

Mine showed up as a fault code on the scanner

[Chris_D]

It sounds like a coilpack failure but get a proper diagnosis.
Invest in a code reader. Creator C310+, Carly, INPA if you're the adventurous type.
Don't let anyone, especially a garage convince you into replacing all coilpacks at once as it's totally unecessary, unless you want to throw money away of course.
Get clued-up and DIY. It's a pice of pi$$.
On long journeys carry a spare and the tools to swap if required.

[Z4_LZF]

So many code readers out there. Can anyone recommend just one.

Also, I have a small unit plugged in to my OBD. Some sort of remap/ economy/ performance bolt on. No idea.

[Chris_D]

So many code readers out there. Can anyone recommend just one.

Also, I have a small unit plugged in to my OBD. Some sort of remap/ economy/ performance bolt on. No idea.

I just gave you 3 very good examples!
Choose one and crack on with it!

[Z4_LZF]

Ok, will have a look. Cheers

[enuff_zed]

So many code readers out there. Can anyone recommend just one.

Also, I have a small unit plugged in to my OBD. Some sort of remap/ economy/ performance bolt on. No idea.

Well I’d pull that out first and see if it makes any difference. Until you eliminate that as the source you’ll never be sure.

[smorris_12]

And after you've pulled it out of the OBD port, walk briskly to the nearest bin and lob it in. Things like that don't work.

[Z4_LZF]

[Zedebee]

It’s probably a Bluetooth code reader rather than a performance add-on. I’ve got one but it’s pretty rubbish. I would recommend a Creator 310+ which is excellent, inexpensive and easy to use. Autophix has its fans. Carly is subscription only. You need a laptop to use INPA. Go buy a Creator.

[Z4_LZF]

Thanks. The pros and cons are helpful.

[enuff_zed]

It’s probably a Bluetooth code reader rather than a performance add-on. I’ve got one but it’s pretty rubbish. I would recommend a Creator 310+ which is excellent, inexpensive and easy to use. Autophix has its fans. Carly is subscription only. You need a laptop to use INPA. Go buy a Creator.

Yup, I have the Autophix 5900. I believe it is almost the same in capability as the Creator 310+.
It has certainly not let me down yet anyway.

[Z4_LZF]

A quick update.

Yanked out the plug in from the OBD port. Cleared the codes using my mates Code reader.
Said that there was a crankshaft position fault.


Car started up perfectly. Went for a 6 miles run, the car drove fine. In fact, seemed far smoother than previously.

Went for another run, car again, drove perfectly.

It might be that the plug in, which was said to be some sort of performance and fuel mod, was at fault!!