(I think firing on only 2 or 3 cylinders) and I called the AA guy
who came and started the car by putting his foot fully down on the gas
for about 30sec and the car reved to life after that.
He explained this was a fairly common problem where the spark plugs
get fouled and the car only fires on 1 or 2 cylinders and needs to be driven to burn off the carbon (according to him , even some new cars had this problem).
This doesnt happen all the time (maybe 1 out of 10 starts) but is annoying none the less. I was told to change my spark plugs to see if they were giving me the problems and I bought some plugs from Repco the other day (copper NGK) and since noticed no difference (ie: problem still happens about 1/10 starts)
I looked at my old plugs (NGK irridium IX) and noticed they have dark black thick carbon build up around the electrode.
According to an internet site this indicates the car could be running rich or have a ignition problem...the car still gets good fuel economy so im suspecting its a ignition problem.
I have read of others with 4a engines that have ignition problems and have changed the 'ignitor' and fixed it.
My question is , do you think my symptoms sound like the ignitor is playing up? is there any way to check my ignitor? where wod the best place to get a cheap ignitor be? (I rang repco and they said $170!)
also, what other possibilities could it be?
any help appreciated.
