Spark plus VVC/ bad start and idle issues.

Spark plus VVC/ bad start and idle issues.

Author
Discussion

Gingerbread Man

Original Poster:

9,171 posts

213 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
I've a cold/ wet start issue. The idle either catches but it rough and low or will only idle if I depress the accelerator slightly. It normally sorts itself out after I've done a 15 minute drive, or go to move/ start the car later on. Just a morning thing it seems.
When it's being dodgy, I can find myself having to rev slightly at junctions to prevent a stall.

I'm thinking of replacing the spark plugs as a cheapish wonder of mine.
It's a VVC engine running ~175bhp. Used daily so has to preform in all temperatures.

Any recommendations for plugs or things to look at? Seems fine all summer long and it lives outside. Seems a winter issue when the temperatures go down and the cars wet every morning.

130g

56 posts

154 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
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Are you running the original ECU? If you are using an aftermarket ECU (Omex, Emerald etc.) it could be an issue with the cold start enrichment. Other than that, I think spark plugs, leads, dizzy is a good area to start looking.

Gingerbread Man

Original Poster:

9,171 posts

213 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
I'm running the original ECU.

framerateuk

2,733 posts

184 months

Tuesday 9th October 2012
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I've noticed a similar problem with my Sigma lately.

Sometimes I turn it on and it idles without any problem. It sits happily around 1000rpm and keeps running.

I did notice last weekend, when it was a little colder than normal, that the car would occasionally dip below, but manage to get the revs back up. If I gave it some throttle and then release, the revs would drop and the engine totally cut out a few time.

Once I got the car out of the garage and onto the drive it was fine.

I was thinking spark plugs too?

Gingerbread Man

Original Poster:

9,171 posts

213 months

Tuesday 9th October 2012
quotequote all
Could a bad battery affect this? I could test one day soon, but on the weekends when I have time, I tend to get up too late.

Gingerbread Man

Original Poster:

9,171 posts

213 months

Thursday 11th October 2012
quotequote all
Right, I'm thinking that my battery - PV25 (?) is being affected by the parasitic load of my immobiliser and the cold dam mornings.

I'm thinking to fit a master kill switch and turn it to dead at nights which might help, if not, it'll add an extra level of security.
If no help, new bigger battery again, maybe the original banner.