after all the grief about my last post that car wont start i have managed to sort it after changing fuel pump car started .but now missing badly . checked the plugs and number 3 not sparking .
   any ideas . please  :y

Compression (or lack of), duff plug, duff lead or dis pack.

dbug wrote on 31. Aug 2011 at 19:02:

Compression (or lack of), duff plug, duff lead or dis pack.

   was running ok before all the hassle with fuel pump .
checked plugs and changed them all spark apart from no 3 .

Swap a sparking plug with the non sparker to eliminate coilpack

more of a question really than an answer but my 2.2 has a coil pack which is all 4 in a row which sits over the plugs so if one coil goes down is it possible to replace just the one or do you need to get the whole shabang?

You can buy replacement rubber boots and springs but the actual pack itself is an all in one jobbie

mrgreen wrote on 31. Aug 2011 at 19:29:

more of a question really than an answer but my 2.2 has a coil pack which is all 4 in a row which sits over the plugs so if one coil goes down is it possible to replace just the one or do you need to get the whole shabang?

the whole lot I'm afraid.  ;) ;)

i have tried 3 different plugs in the not working one also tried them in others so plugs are sparking but not on no 3 .

oh when it rains it pours, when you had your fuel pump problem did you check for spark because if so maybe there's a chaffed wire leading up to the pack or bad connection, maybe a long shot but i would check the wiring before investing in a new coil pack

before the problem i had a spark at all 4 as this was first thing i checked for . but know only on 3 of them .

Question is, how are you testing them as to do it correctly you need a large gap test plug to simulate the required 30-40mm gap.

If you work on a small gap you get no indication as to if the coil is ok and can also apply to low a load to it which may damage it.

all sorted now car back up and running . Thanks to you

mick-1975 wrote on 01. Sep 2011 at 13:48:

all sorted now car back up and running . Thanks to you

What was the problem?

Marks DTM Calib wrote on 01. Sep 2011 at 13:11:

Question is, how are you testing them as to do it correctly you need a large gap test plug to simulate the required 30-40mm gap. If you work on a small gap you get no indication as to if the coil is ok and can also apply to low a load to it which may damage it.

Does the same apply to my issue on an X20XEV? I tried checking the sparks with a spark plug in the end of a HT lead and a jump lead from there to the battery negative.

Skint wrote on 01. Sep 2011 at 17:55:

Marks DTM Calib wrote on 01. Sep 2011 at 13:11: Question is, how are you testing them as to do it correctly you need a large gap test plug to simulate the required 30-40mm gap. If you work on a small gap you get no indication as to if the coil is ok and can also apply to low a load to it which may damage it. Does the same apply to my issue on an X20XEV? I tried checking the sparks with a spark plug in the end of a HT lead and a jump lead from there to the battery negative.

can get spark plug,and lead tester for around £15. or old timing gun will work for few quid.

Skint wrote on 01. Sep 2011 at 17:55:

Marks DTM Calib wrote on 01. Sep 2011 at 13:11: Question is, how are you testing them as to do it correctly you need a large gap test plug to simulate the required 30-40mm gap. If you work on a small gap you get no indication as to if the coil is ok and can also apply to low a load to it which may damage it. Does the same apply to my issue on an X20XEV? I tried checking the sparks with a spark plug in the end of a HT lead and a jump lead from there to the battery negative.

Yes it applies to all and the test done is not a great test sadly.

Basics are that under compression, you need mega volts to create a spark in the cylidner, at atmpsheric pressure, to simulate this you need a big gap.

You could break down a 1mm spark gap with only 1KV at atmosperic pressures.

Just to let you all know car all sorted now i changed the coil pack and it started and ticked over great . thanks for all your help on here . :y