Originally Posted by
Ellie
Thanks for the info James.
When it's rained heavily and the car hasn't been used for >24hrs then it struggles to start. I always wait for the fuel pump to prime before starting it anyway. When I turn the key it turns over fine but it just doesn't spark. If it does, even if I pressed the accelerator it can cut out pretty quick or will stall.
Tbh, it does exactly what you described with the compression thing, pulling off from junctions is difficult because it just feels bogged down. Few miles up the road and it's fine.
Can't remember which spark plugs I bought. Think they were ngk, and my mate fitted them. He does know what he's doing though!!
Yeah, gonna replace the MAF, because now and again it'll hesitate under hard acceleration or pulling off from low revs.
It did have a diagnostic done a little while ago for the hesitating and it didnt show any faults, but was told the MAF was reading 4. They said they wouldn't usually suggest changing it until it was about 7/8.
I'm not massively bothered yet (though that compression thing is worrying), it's runs great and never gives me any major problems *touch wood*!!
What's a drop test? Might get a new battery anyway.
If it's acting like that I'd get a leak down test done before wasting money on MAF's or sensors, especially as nothing was found via diagnostic. Wouldn't be surprised if it's leaking compression through the exhaust valve seat.
A drop test on the battery is just a test that adds load (usually with a device with like a mini elctric heater element inside) to draw lots of current from the battery. It shows up if the battery drops too much under that load, sort of simulating the cranking of the starter.
But if you say the battery turns fine and you've got problems with it until it warms up then I wouldn't bother with the battery.
If you're lucky it'll be a coolant sensor. But I'd go leak down first. At least if it's fine you can have a bit of peace of mind then get the bits sorted, otherwise you could potentially be chucking away a few hundred chasing your tail.