Puma engine trouble - help please :(
Discussion
Hi,
I bought my Puma back in January this year and have had an overload of problems with it
When I first bought it the engine didn't appear to have anything wrong with it but after the first week of owning it it began hunting for revs when stationary, almost stalling when depressing the clutch at lights/coming to a stop and a limited amount of power when accelerating and suddenly bursting to life (bad explanation - oops). I've replaced the ICV and the MAF.
My boyfriend had another look tonight as changing those two things hasn't appeared to help and he said there is air coming out of the oil cap (?) when there shouldn't be. He showed me what it should be like on his car and theres a significant amount of air coming out of mine.
I'm not good at all with technical explanations but he seems to think this could be my problem. Whatever is causing that amount of air to be coming from that cap?
Sorry if that makes no sense to anyone! If you could have a go at suggesting why it might be and if you think it could be related to my engine trouble that would be fantastic.
Oh, and probably completely irrelevant but the engine can be OK one day, not too much messing around, and after its been raining hard it can be a night mare. Probably unrelated and probably in my head but just thought I would mention it.
Sorry for waffling, thanks for reading and thanks in advance for any replies!
I bought my Puma back in January this year and have had an overload of problems with it
When I first bought it the engine didn't appear to have anything wrong with it but after the first week of owning it it began hunting for revs when stationary, almost stalling when depressing the clutch at lights/coming to a stop and a limited amount of power when accelerating and suddenly bursting to life (bad explanation - oops). I've replaced the ICV and the MAF.
My boyfriend had another look tonight as changing those two things hasn't appeared to help and he said there is air coming out of the oil cap (?) when there shouldn't be. He showed me what it should be like on his car and theres a significant amount of air coming out of mine.
I'm not good at all with technical explanations but he seems to think this could be my problem. Whatever is causing that amount of air to be coming from that cap?
Sorry if that makes no sense to anyone! If you could have a go at suggesting why it might be and if you think it could be related to my engine trouble that would be fantastic.
Oh, and probably completely irrelevant but the engine can be OK one day, not too much messing around, and after its been raining hard it can be a night mare. Probably unrelated and probably in my head but just thought I would mention it.
Sorry for waffling, thanks for reading and thanks in advance for any replies!
From your description of air coming out of the oil fill cap it sounds like you have a plugged PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve or oil breather line. But I doubt that is the bulk of your problem.
As far as the car running worse after a rain it sounds like you have a low RPM misfire, I would suggest that you have an issue with water getting into part of your ignition system. We don't have the Ford Puma in the U.S. but I'm assuming it has spark plug leads (rather than coils on plugs) so I would check for broken or cracked plug leads and make sure that they are all properly attached at the spark plugs and at the coil pack(s). Open the bonnet at night with the engine running and check for any sparks or arching that shouldn't be there.
As far as the car running worse after a rain it sounds like you have a low RPM misfire, I would suggest that you have an issue with water getting into part of your ignition system. We don't have the Ford Puma in the U.S. but I'm assuming it has spark plug leads (rather than coils on plugs) so I would check for broken or cracked plug leads and make sure that they are all properly attached at the spark plugs and at the coil pack(s). Open the bonnet at night with the engine running and check for any sparks or arching that shouldn't be there.
Really, it could be a multitude of things.
Is he sure there is air coming out of the breather, or a degree of air being sucked in ? Some PCV systems could draw a significant amount of air via the crankcase, and it might feel like its being expelled via the cap, although its being drawn in.
or as Trooper says, some aspect of the PCV system could be blocked.
Are the any signs of water ingress ? Have the plugs/leads been checked ?
As the ecu throwing any fault codes of any kind ( CEL light on ?? )
Is he sure there is air coming out of the breather, or a degree of air being sucked in ? Some PCV systems could draw a significant amount of air via the crankcase, and it might feel like its being expelled via the cap, although its being drawn in.
or as Trooper says, some aspect of the PCV system could be blocked.
Are the any signs of water ingress ? Have the plugs/leads been checked ?
As the ecu throwing any fault codes of any kind ( CEL light on ?? )
stevieturbo said:
Really, it could be a multitude of things.
Is he sure there is air coming out of the breather, or a degree of air being sucked in ? Some PCV systems could draw a significant amount of air via the crankcase, and it might feel like its being expelled via the cap, although its being drawn in.
or as Trooper says, some aspect of the PCV system could be blocked.
Are the any signs of water ingress ? Have the plugs/leads been checked ?
As the ecu throwing any fault codes of any kind ( CEL light on ?? )
Hello, boyfriend here.Is he sure there is air coming out of the breather, or a degree of air being sucked in ? Some PCV systems could draw a significant amount of air via the crankcase, and it might feel like its being expelled via the cap, although its being drawn in.
or as Trooper says, some aspect of the PCV system could be blocked.
Are the any signs of water ingress ? Have the plugs/leads been checked ?
As the ecu throwing any fault codes of any kind ( CEL light on ?? )
Yes it's definatly blowing, if you put your hand about a foot above it it puffs at you. PCV - will have a check
. There's no oil coming out the airbox breather pipe though, thought that would be a sign?Had a bit of a check of the leads but not particually thoughorly. CEL isn't on.
Thanks for your help chaps.
Has it been serviced recently?
I cleaned and then replaced the ICV on my wife's when it had running problems, it didn't seem to make much difference although thinking about it it runs OK now - quite a common problem apparently.
If you are struggling to start it when warm they all do that sir - just give it a bit of gas.
Would be worth making sure it is serviced and take it from there.
Nearly stalling at idle sounds like ICV or a vacuum leak
Lack of power on acceleration sounds like HT leads/coil packs - could the leads be arcing on something else?
Worth having a look at the Wiki on PumaPeople to narrow down the possibilities?
I cleaned and then replaced the ICV on my wife's when it had running problems, it didn't seem to make much difference although thinking about it it runs OK now - quite a common problem apparently.
If you are struggling to start it when warm they all do that sir - just give it a bit of gas.
Would be worth making sure it is serviced and take it from there.
Nearly stalling at idle sounds like ICV or a vacuum leak
Lack of power on acceleration sounds like HT leads/coil packs - could the leads be arcing on something else?
Worth having a look at the Wiki on PumaPeople to narrow down the possibilities?
Instead of changing bits haphazardly hoping it will fix it you'll get much better value taking it to a professional engine tuner and getting them to diagnose the problem.
You'll probably find this will soon pay for itself too as you'll get better fuel economy.
I don't know any real detail but I know the puma 1.7 engine had problems with nikasil cylinder liners failing but I really don't know much more about it - google will probably find something.
You'll probably find this will soon pay for itself too as you'll get better fuel economy.
I don't know any real detail but I know the puma 1.7 engine had problems with nikasil cylinder liners failing but I really don't know much more about it - google will probably find something.
Barkychoc said:
I don't know any real detail but I know the puma 1.7 engine had problems with nikasil cylinder liners failing but I really don't know much more about it - google will probably find something.
My brother used to have a puma which had nikasil problems. It had a bit of a knocking sound and gradually worsening performance. The lining had completely failed on one cylinder and he ended up changing the engine:
Edited by tank slapper on Wednesday 27th May 15:47
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