Hi

I have a new issue with 94 TS Magna 2.6 EFI auto. Suddenly it is missing quite badly. While driving it seems to cut in and out intermittently. Pulled all the plugs - all good colour and no sign of fouling. Tried testing for spark. Interesting that if I pulled the lead off number 1 or 4 the engine stalled immediately. Pulling the lead from 2 or 3 and it would keep running. This tends to point to a problem with 2 and/or 3 cylinder. I have a spark in 2 and 3, which i determined by removing the lead at the spark plug, putting a bolt in the end of the lead (where the plug normally goes), starting the engine, and observing and hearing a spark when the bolt was brought near an earth. I am thinking maybe an injector problem? Tested the coils on all injectors, and all good at about 17 ohms.

The only other obvious thing is to do a compression test which I will do later today, but I don't expect that to be a problem. Car has only done 110,000K and generally runs very well. (Although to be honest the idle has never been the smoothest).

I tried to diagnose any engine computer errors, but I only have a digital multimeter. I connected it to the diagnostic port, but it is extremely difficult to read as various voltages pop up quite quickly when the ignition is turned on (as per workshop manual). Wondering if codes can be read with LED as some oter cars can?

Any ideas or advice welcomed?

Compression checked OK. All around 170 - 180 psi.

Got compression, got spark, must be a fuel problem?

PS. Engine appears to be running on 2 cylinders. I can run it with plug leads on 1 & 4 only. Putting 2 & 3 on doesn't make much difference. Only a slight smell of fuel on plugs in 2 & 3 after running without those leads connected! I reckon it could be blocked injectors?

Any comments?

Also I have listened (with screwdriver) to injectors, and they all make clicking noise, which indicates that the solenoids are working. Only blocked injector could be stopping fuel to 2 cylinders i think? I have been looking at how to remove the fuel rail and injectors and I think I have it sussed. Looks like throttle body has to come off first? Then looks like throttle body mounting bracket will have to come off too? I see the clips that hold injectors into fuel rail, what hols them into the manifold?

Is this a difficult job, as I want to take the injectors in to be cleaned. I doubt an on car clean would do the job?

i would have a look at disy cap as 2,3 are close and may be arking in the cap.

I did check the dizzy cap and cleaned the contacts. If it was a spark problem, wouldn't you expect to see the plug fouled a bit from fuel? I did check the spark and it seemed OK - definitely SOME spark anyway.

Actually I just decided to go and have another look. I ran the engine in the dark, and I can see arcing at the coil and also somewhere (presumably in) near the dizzy. Incidentally the car completely died a couple of months ago, and I had it repaired at the garage, where they replaced the coil. Hmmm. Is it normal to see arcing at the coil?

Thanks magnaman89 a new set of plug leads has got my magna back up and running sweet. You saved me a lot of needless expense if I had gone down the injector road where I was headed. I reckon the injectors could do with a good clean. Maybe I'll do an on the car job if I have have $220 to burn!

myself i would put a tank of shell ultra though it first. as it can clean a lot af crap out of the system.and see how it go,s.

Is that a high octane fuel?

yea i have had rough running cars smooth out while running the 98ron fuel. for the extra $12 a tank worth a try . hope it helps