15 replies to this topic

[RyanBebo]

Hi all I've got a 1996 Rover Mini Equinox 1.3i SPI. Right I was driving to work this morning and as I changed up to second gear it felt as if my car had lost all of it's power and struggled to climb over 15mph for about 10-15 seconds... And in gears 2,3&4 it seems to be chugging for a few seconds and also feels as if it is losing power. Any suggestions what I can check, last time this happened to me in a car it was a Fiat Punto and the headgasket went a few days later, please don't tell me it could be that
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ohh forgot to add it was serviced in Octoberish... and has covered 67k.

Edited by RyanBebo, 28 March 2013 - 04:55 PM.

[RyanBebo]

Surely somebody know's something?

[KernowCooper]

Does it chug as you put it all the time or miss when idling? a compression check will tell you if you have head gasket failure, rev up at idle is it smooth? and when was it last serviced, I'd pull the plugs out and see if they are sooted up, You may find if all the normal checks are ok then a code reader may throw up a fault code.

Edited by KernowCooper, 28 March 2013 - 09:00 PM.

[sam-wkd]

Could be worth checking that all of the leads are all on nice and snug?

[RyanBebo]

When I go to rev the pedal from idle it takes about 1-3 seconds to make a revving noise... And it just chugs when I am driving. Checked all leads etc.. they seem snug enough, will give the spark plugs a good brushing tomorrow see if that helps, cheers for the replies

[KernowCooper]

If there is a delay when trying to rev then it looks like a Injection problem so a code reader may be in order to see what comes up

[Blatherskite]

Had a similar problem some time sgo - the lead to the coolant temp sensor was loose. Pushed it on & problem solved. Suggest you check leads to all sensors just to be sure.

[RyanBebo]

Ahh cheers for the replies, where is the coolant temp sensor located, just so i can check that?

[KernowCooper]

Don't have a SPI but seem to remember its on the bottom of the inlet manifold and the sender/wiring can often get damaged against the bulkhead! Not a lot of room there either to get to it either. Just a tip in case your looking around its not the one in the bottom of the Radiator, thats the fan switch.

[RyanBebo]

Ahh cheers matey, will get looking at it tomorrow and see if I can solve it.

[RyanBebo]

seems my head gasket is going.. had a look at the oil cap and its got gloopy white residue on the inside of it, gutted. thinking about part exing it....

[KernowCooper]

Short Trips ? are you loosing water/overheating? compression test if you've not done one.lets us know Ryan what the readings are.

[RyanBebo]

Short Trips ? are you loosing water/overheating? compression test if you've not done one.lets us know Ryan what the readings are.

I took it for a drive around the block and when i parked it up, there was a small puddle of water on the passenger side, had a check of the hoses etc.. and it seemed to be coming from the top radiator hose. And I haven't got a compression tester, and can't really afford to buy one at the minute

[KernowCooper]

Ok lets whip the top hose off and inspect the condition of the rubber and the neck of the radiator and the alloy connection on the thermostat, they need to be clean on the necks, if the top hose is at all soft or deteriated then replace it. Once you have sorted that leak out retest for any further leaks.

Once you have the water leak sorted then maybe a clean ot of the rocker cover and a oil change/filter would benefit the engine and a good long run and reinspect

[RyanBebo]

Ahh cheers for the reply matey, I will attend to that once I get home from work, working late tonight
I didn't think it would need an oil/filter change however, because they were only replaced in october, what do you think?
Cheers