help please lumpy running

[robinracer]

Hi all
I have a water problem with my 98chim there is a tiny hole on one of the arms off the water pump.A specialist put some magic potion in and it sorted the problem out for a short while so I put some radweld in and no more leaks.I have been out on the South Wales run today and had to retire because the car is really lumpy (that's how I would describe it) - foot down and it seems to be missing. It seems to be OK in 2nd gear but in 3rd, 4th and 5th its really bad - a serious lack of power.
any help would be appreciated.

[GreenV8S]

The water pump problem is only relevent if the water level has got so low that the engine overheated. If so you have to consider the possibility of head gasket failure, which can cause symptoms like the ones you're getting. Don't jump to conclusions though, there are plenty of other problems that can cause poor running, many of them far less expensive to fix. Head gasket failure can be confirmed by testing quite easily, too. I suggest you get the car recovered to a specialist who can diagnose the problem and let you know where you stand. If the leak you had fixed was on the water pump itself then I suggest you replace the pump at the same time, shoving goop into the hole is only a temporary fix.

[robinracer]

Thanks water seems to be ok and temp is about 80 degrees on a run
there isn't any water in the oil which would suggest headgasket i thought or could it still be that anyway.could it be distributer cap or rotor arm ??

[GreenV8S]

robinracer said:

Thanks water seems to be ok and temp is about 80 degrees on a run
there isn't any water in the oil which would suggest headgasket i thought or could it still be that anyway.could it be distributer cap or rotor arm ??

Did the engine actually overheat at any point? If not, there's no particular reason to look for head gasket failure. It will be at the back of your mind though until you find the problem. There are lots of potential causes for this sort of problem, and you need to work through the engine management system methodically seeing which parts are working normally and which aren't. Unless you're reasonably familiar with the operation of the fuel and ignition systems I would advise you to get a specialist to do this for you. Otherwise you risk replacing lots of parts that are perfectly OK, possibly damaging other things along the way, and wasting time and money trying to fix it yourself when you could be out enjoying it.

Edited by GreenV8S on Sunday 18th February 15:44

[robinracer]

I will try and book it in tomorrow.
There seems to be water coming out of the exhaust which is quite worrying any ideas on that please.

[GreenV8S]

robinracer said:

I will try and book it in tomorrow.
There seems to be water coming out of the exhaust which is quite worrying any ideas on that please.

Normal while the engine and exhaust are warming up, but if it continues then is one symptom of head gasket failure. In that case if you open the pressure cap you will also see a lot of out gassing when you blip the throttle. A coolant hydrocarbon test would prove that you had a head gasket leak between the cylinder and the water jacket. Oil/scum in the water would prove that you had a leak between the oil and water systems. Everything else is circumstantial.

[robinracer]

thanks once again your a very nice man
You have put mine at rest to some degree i don't thinks its the head gasket.however its got to go to the doctors for a check up and a service.
I will keep you posted of the out come if you would like.

[bigdods]

robinracer said:

I will try and book it in tomorrow.
There seems to be water coming out of the exhaust which is quite worrying any ideas on that please.

I had a tsunami out of mine yesterday so I wouldnt worry about that. I parked with her backside facing uphill during all the rain over the last few weeks and didnt use her. Started up and there was a kind of bubbling sound with the exhaust coming out in spurts. Quick shove of the loud pedal and the drive behind was treated to a sooty power wash.....