Chaps,
My much-loved S2 has just let me down. First (or worst) time in 12 years of ownership but it needs some attention. A solid diagnosis is what I lack at the moment so I'd really value suggestions.
- Car did a 50 minute journey fine.
- Stopped for about 45 minutes then set off for home.
- Car was idling in traffic and cut out - clean cut, no spluttering. It restarted fine, first time.
- 5 minutes later it cut out in traffic again. It re-started very reluctantly.
- 20 minutes later it cut out while doing around 45mph in 4th. Clean cut while driving (up a slight gradient) - I realised that the engine was providing no forward movement although the instruments looked fine. Changed down to 3rd and then 2nd to try and bump start it, it wouldn't play. Pulled over and tried to start it on the starter and it refused to catch.
- Waited around 15 minutes while I called the recovery people. Arranged to have a lorry sent and, just before I called off I tried the car. It started first time and drove home fine.
Now at home and it starts as it should. Clearly the thing needs sparks and fuel and compression so which one was lacking? For what it's worth, it's been very wet here but the car drove fine before cutting out, and I hadn't recently gone through any big puddles or anything like that.
The second time it cut out and restarted reluctantly it had the feel of something it has done before, which is to be hard to start sometimes when hot. It seems to almost catch but not quite, then starts but idles very lumpily indeed before dying. This time the lumpy idling sorted itself out and it ran properly.
Sadly, when it was stuck by the road and not starting at all I was alone and hence couldn't do any diagnostic tests (test for sparks, spray brake cleaner into the intake etc etc etc). I am therefore no further forward with knowing what it is.
All suggestions very welcome, thanks.
Oli.
My much-loved S2 has just let me down. First (or worst) time in 12 years of ownership but it needs some attention. A solid diagnosis is what I lack at the moment so I'd really value suggestions.
- Car did a 50 minute journey fine.
- Stopped for about 45 minutes then set off for home.
- Car was idling in traffic and cut out - clean cut, no spluttering. It restarted fine, first time.
- 5 minutes later it cut out in traffic again. It re-started very reluctantly.
- 20 minutes later it cut out while doing around 45mph in 4th. Clean cut while driving (up a slight gradient) - I realised that the engine was providing no forward movement although the instruments looked fine. Changed down to 3rd and then 2nd to try and bump start it, it wouldn't play. Pulled over and tried to start it on the starter and it refused to catch.
- Waited around 15 minutes while I called the recovery people. Arranged to have a lorry sent and, just before I called off I tried the car. It started first time and drove home fine.
Now at home and it starts as it should. Clearly the thing needs sparks and fuel and compression so which one was lacking? For what it's worth, it's been very wet here but the car drove fine before cutting out, and I hadn't recently gone through any big puddles or anything like that.
The second time it cut out and restarted reluctantly it had the feel of something it has done before, which is to be hard to start sometimes when hot. It seems to almost catch but not quite, then starts but idles very lumpily indeed before dying. This time the lumpy idling sorted itself out and it ran properly.
Sadly, when it was stuck by the road and not starting at all I was alone and hence couldn't do any diagnostic tests (test for sparks, spray brake cleaner into the intake etc etc etc). I am therefore no further forward with knowing what it is.
All suggestions very welcome, thanks.
Oli.
