holding back when cold

[imapetrolhead]

my galant holds back when its cold, really lumpy like the power goes and then comes back, surges. When it warms up its perfect again, its been like this ever since i bought it 2 years ago, but seemed alot worse today, any ideas. Except new air and fuel filter? it just passed mot emissions were 0.00 so its running pretty sweet for 160000 miles

[aboo]

Take it its an auto? If so it may need an ATF change but a lot of our cars do it like its slipping gears till it warms up.

[apeman69]

May be worth checking spark plugs if they've not been changed whilst you've owned it.

Sent from my Huge Brain using MyFingers

[HPRULZ]

May be worth checking spark plugs if they've not been changed whilst you've owned it.

you may even have a loose one thats leaking pressure when its cold but tightens up when hot.

Kev

[imapetrolhead]

its a manual, ive not changed the plugs as its a reall pain taking the inlet manifold off, its only for the first 10 mins when cold like power comes and goes while you hold your foot still like a surge but not a miss fire, just done 150 miles none stop today and its fine, just first thing in morning, ill have to do plugs i think

[Subaru ETA]

Plugs are a service item which need to be done anyway, so that's probably a good place to start. Even if it doesn't fix the problem, at least they are done.

Also while it's apart check for signs of tracking on the leads

[BraindG]

I have this problem each morning i start up, in afternoons it seems ok but mornings it deffo has it - feels like its losing power - Not sure why tho.

[imapetrolhead]

yea thats it, i looked at the price of plugs but they loads of money

[BraindG]

yea thats it, i looked at the price of plugs but they loads of money

I recently changed my plugs, so i'm still well within their lifetime - Maybe petrol related? i've not changed the fuel filter since owning the car, and been running on low tanks of late.

[BraindG]

you may even have a loose one thats leaking pressure when its cold but tightens up when hot.

Kev

Hmm, Matthew - do you get oil light flickering when engines hot and at low revs?

[imapetrolhead]

no oil light does not flicker, i was thinking it could be fuel filter as i doubt mines ever had one and i run it low on fuel everywhere. im gonna try air filter and fuel filter first, its almost like it runs too weak on the choke.

[BraindG]

no oil light does not flicker, i was thinking it could be fuel filter as i doubt mines ever had one and i run it low on fuel everywhere. im gonna try air filter and fuel filter first, its almost like it runs too weak on the choke.

Have you got the "MAF Mod" done?

[imapetrolhead]

no???

[martin_y]

Have you got the "MAF Mod" done?

I'm also interested, my car does the same. What is this mod?

[imapetrolhead]

funny its stopped doing it after having a major thrash the other night when i realised we'd left the oven on

[apeman69]

Check your plugs mate as they don't last forever, even if you just pull out one or two of the easy ones to check the condition and gap then you'll know for sure if you can rule them out.
I'd imagine that very few people do change the fuel filter... ever!
Faulty coolant temp sensor could be telling the ECU that the engine's warm when it really isn't.
PCV system fault or leak perhaps?
Vacuum leak somewhere?
Don't be surprised if it starts doing it again and, as yourapetrolhead, check some of these things dude!

Mine goes like the proverbial scalded cat whether hot or cold, but mine IS a VR-4 he he!

[imapetrolhead]

sorted it today, had major miss fire this morning turned out centre electrode in dizzy cap was not there, its much better now ive put a new one in it, the surge in the morning got reall bad the last few days so obviously was the cap