FabSwingers.com forum: Car mechanic?

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Have a question

Engine stuttering an chucking

Engine light comes on

All while driving

When stopped the car is perfect just misfiring a little but engine light goes off an quite as a mouse..

Now the car made a mad loud clicking noise the other day engine lights came on like crazy its like the car had a seizure.

Anyway I popped the bonnent and found the second spark plug that popped out of the engine.

Now I tried screwing it back in but the thread in the engine seems worn out. And the screw is not actually fitting inside (just slides up and down) make sense? I currently have it stable enough but since that happened it has bin chucking little power loss.

before that it wasnt a problem. I even put new plugs in it myself so the plugs are only like 2 months old...

Any ideas if its fixable and how? Are talking big money for rethredding or is that even possible?

Oh its a megane never let me down till now

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Ya it's fixable but it's gonna cost ya. New head is required I'd say as the spark plug treads are fucked very unlikely they can be re tapped

I would be more worried about why the engine managed to eject the plugs in the first place. Did you replace the old plugs with the correct new ones or did you tighten the fuck out of them and strip the tread?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

While this thread is going, I’mma do a quick hijacking!

‘07 Mini Cooper (R56)

While driving, the handbrake warning light seems to appear and disappear randomly.

I know for a fact I haven’t engaged the handbrake while going 120km on the motorway!

Even kept my nose open to smell if it somehow is even slightly engaged and nothing, no effect on the handling or performance, no reason to think the handbrake may actually be engaged.

Could this be something to do with the computer or could it be as simple as tightening/loosening the cable?

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By *orkhotshotMan
over a year ago

youghal east cork

"Have a question

Engine stuttering an chucking

Engine light comes on

All while driving

When stopped the car is perfect just misfiring a little but engine light goes off an quite as a mouse..

Now the car made a mad loud clicking noise the other day engine lights came on like crazy its like the car had a seizure.

Anyway I popped the bonnent and found the second spark plug that popped out of the engine.

before that it wasnt a problem. I even put new plugs in it myself so the plugs are only like 2 months old...

Any ideas if its fixable and how? Are talking big money for rethredding or is that even possible?

Oh its a megane never let me down till now

Go back to the mechanic that changed the plugs... the head will have to come off costly job

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Ya it's fixable but it's gonna cost ya. New head is required I'd say as the spark plug treads are fucked very unlikely they can be re tapped

Yup replaced with correct new ones didnt tighten them like crazy just your average tightness on them. Thats why it popped it out because I couldn't actually screw the I haven't a clue what its called the coil? It cips onto to the spark plug well thats what I couldn't tighten in it was lose. When the engine started it would sort of shake up an down. Its hard to explain lol but the plug definitely wasn't bolted in as I have changed tons of them in cars and I know not to over tighten them.

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By *ts artMan
over a year ago

Londonderry

You don't need a new head a helicoil can be fitted, it screws into the hole where the threads are damaged and is threaded inside to take the spark plug

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Ah bollox that if its costly car is not worth pumping money into considering out how much I paid for it.

but hey you get what you pay for I guess

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

There is a switch on the handbrake underneath, gone faulty of the connection is bad, pull up the cover and check connection first and if not it's the switch is faulty.

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By *irty MurtyMan
over a year ago

my place

"Have a question

Engine stuttering an chucking

Engine light comes on

All while driving

When stopped the car is perfect just misfiring a little but engine light goes off an quite as a mouse..

Now the car made a mad loud clicking noise the other day engine lights came on like crazy its like the car had a seizure.

Anyway I popped the bonnent and found the second spark plug that popped out of the engine.

before that it wasnt a problem. I even put new plugs in it myself so the plugs are only like 2 months old...

Any ideas if its fixable and how? Are talking big money for rethredding or is that even possible?

Oh its a megane never let me down till now

Its fixeble but probably cheaper buy newer car. head off helicoil damaged tread, then refit head new head gasket timing belt andf lots of other bits looking 500-700

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By *ts artMan
over a year ago

Londonderry

"Ah bollox that if its costly car is not worth pumping money into considering out how much I paid for it.

but hey you get what you pay for I guess "

Helicoil would fix it cheaply

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"There is a switch on the handbrake underneath, gone faulty of the connection is bad, pull up the cover and check connection first and if not it's the switch is faulty. "

I’ll check it out in the morning! Thanks for the heads up, might save me a few quid!

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Have a question

Engine stuttering an chucking

Engine light comes on

All while driving

When stopped the car is perfect just misfiring a little but engine light goes off an quite as a mouse..

Now the car made a mad loud clicking noise the other day engine lights came on like crazy its like the car had a seizure.

Anyway I popped the bonnent and found the second spark plug that popped out of the engine.

before that it wasnt a problem. I even put new plugs in it myself so the plugs are only like 2 months old...

Any ideas if its fixable and how? Are talking big money for rethredding or is that even possible?

Oh its a megane never let me down till now

Its fixeble but probably cheaper buy newer car. head off helicoil damaged tread, then refit head new head gasket timing belt andf lots of other bits looking 500-700

"
lol the car is going to the scrap yard not a chance

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Ah bollox that if its costly car is not worth pumping money into considering out how much I paid for it.

but hey you get what you pay for I guess

Helicoil would fix it cheaply"
seen a box set with different sizes on halfords website might be worth a shot whats the worse can happen

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By *ts artMan
over a year ago

Londonderry

"Have a question

Engine stuttering an chucking

Engine light comes on

All while driving

When stopped the car is perfect just misfiring a little but engine light goes off an quite as a mouse..

Now the car made a mad loud clicking noise the other day engine lights came on like crazy its like the car had a seizure.

Anyway I popped the bonnent and found the second spark plug that popped out of the engine.

before that it wasnt a problem. I even put new plugs in it myself so the plugs are only like 2 months old...

Any ideas if its fixable and how? Are talking big money for rethredding or is that even possible?

Oh its a megane never let me down till now

Its fixeble but probably cheaper buy newer car. head off helicoil damaged tread, then refit head new head gasket timing belt andf lots of other bits looking 500-700

Helicoil can be fitted without the head coming off if done right

Did two last time

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Sounds like the threads are fucked. I wouldn't recommend helicoil of that thickness/ size they rarely work, I've used them on smaller and some work but with compression might not last long. And Renault heads arnt the strongest in the world. I'd hafto see it but from what you describe the wrong thread plug was used at some stage and had damaged the thread and isn't an easy repair, or it was cross threaded but either way it's not nice. If you tighten it and start it and its staying in them try tightening it down good and tight, it's a chance but it could have been left slightly loose and over time popped out and if worst case scenario you tighten and It goes tight tight tight and them loose them the threads are gone and will need a new head more than likely or a helicoil but it wont last

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Sounds like the threads are fucked. I wouldn't recommend helicoil of that thickness/ size they rarely work, I've used them on smaller and some work but with compression might not last long. And Renault heads arnt the strongest in the world. I'd hafto see it but from what you describe the wrong thread plug was used at some stage and had damaged the thread and isn't an easy repair, or it was cross threaded but either way it's not nice. If you tighten it and start it and its staying in them try tightening it down good and tight, it's a chance but it could have been left slightly loose and over time popped out and if worst case scenario you tighten and It goes tight tight tight and them loose them the threads are gone and will need a new head more than likely or a helicoil but it wont last "

In the car they have single coils for each plug its the second one the plug screws in perfect.

the coil fits perfect its the screw that holds the coil tight onto the plug thats worn out the screw wont actually stay in so its forcing the coil back out once the car is running. It was perfect up till now I guess well in the last week or 2 so I dunno how an why it got worn down. So are we talking on the same page here lol

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

2nd from the left or right? Renault work the opposite way, gearbox/ passanger side is number1. Either the coil came off, (the plastic plug thing you push down onto the plug) if so then the bottom of the coil may be worn but shouldn't fly off it should sit in place, if so something blew it off. 2 the plug which screw into the head came out which means its was A loose, or B the threads are fucked and needs a new head or if your lucky helicoil but I wouldn't use one in that size/ application, to much pressure and reliability. Or 3 there is a small part on top of the plug, little metal but that can unscrew. The coil pushes down and grips onto it and is itself threaded into the plug (it comes as part of the plug) and may have been loose. It's like a nipple on the top of the plug might have came loose, it's rare but possible. Remove plug and check it has the nipple at the top ( nearest the bonnet as if its installed) if alls good then tighten then check the plugs threads for wear or bits of metal hanging off (where its after pulling threads from the head) or try pushing the coils on and pulling off different cylinders and see if ones looser the the rest or swap the over if the leads allow you. If ones looser try pinching it with a pliers it might get you a but extra but will need replacing. If it's a loose nipple, then tighten, loose coil then replace and a plug that wont tighten then it's a head replace and as you said may not be worth the expense

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Its not where the spark goes its not the coil.

They all fit perfectly in

Its the screw when you screw on the coil to keep it tight on the plug. The screw wont actually screw on it just slips out forcing the coil to shake or move up an down. When I put pressure on it as in my finger its grand it runs the way it always did.

So i think some are getting confused. Or I am one or the other its not where the spark plug actually screws into as the spark is tight in it. However did pop out maybe pressure or something caused it as the coil wasnt connected to it when I opened the bonnet. Think its a trip to the owl garage thanks all the same lads

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"2nd from the left or right? Renault work the opposite way, gearbox/ passanger side is number1. Either the coil came off, (the plastic plug thing you push down onto the plug) if so then the bottom of the coil may be worn but shouldn't fly off it should sit in place, if so something blew it off. 2 the plug which screw into the head came out which means its was A loose, or B the threads are fucked and needs a new head or if your lucky helicoil but I wouldn't use one in that size/ application, to much pressure and reliability. Or 3 there is a small part on top of the plug, little metal but that can unscrew. The coil pushes down and grips onto it and is itself threaded into the plug (it comes as part of the plug) and may have been loose. It's like a nipple on the top of the plug might have came loose, it's rare but possible. Remove plug and check it has the nipple at the top ( nearest the bonnet as if its installed) if alls good then tighten then check the plugs threads for wear or bits of metal hanging off (where its after pulling threads from the head) or try pushing the coils on and pulling off different cylinders and see if ones looser the the rest or swap the over if the leads allow you. If ones looser try pinching it with a pliers it might get you a but extra but will need replacing. If it's a loose nipple, then tighten, loose coil then replace and a plug that wont tighten then it's a head replace and as you said may not be worth the expense "
second from the drivers side. When I looked at the screw that keeps the coil in place you can cleary see bits of silver metal on the end and brown at the top. Wheres all the other screws are brown so its definitely worn down metal inside there some where. Thats whats not holding the coil down tight like the rest of them. I even tryed swapping the screws and same thing but the screw held in the other coil beside it.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I get what you mean now, the coil is held in by a screw on them and keeps popping off with vibration. The little bolt that holds it wont tighten? I'd cable tie it or drill that small hole bigger and re tap it to another size. Them Renault's are actually known for it so if it's what I think it's an easy fix. Once the coil is pressed down it's ok, so all it needs is to be held down by something, plastic cable tie or a new bolt / screw

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

" I get what you mean now, the coil is held in by a screw on them and keeps popping off with vibration. The little bolt that holds it wont tighten? I'd cable tie it or drill that small hole bigger and re tap it to another size. Them Renault's are actually known for it so if it's what I think it's an easy fix. Once the coil is pressed down it's ok, so all it needs is to be held down by something, plastic cable tie or a new bolt / screw "
thats exactly problem I am having lol I probably explained it arse ways. But thats ny issue I am having. Surely the cable tie would melt though?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Yea I have seen that a few times they are too small a thread the tightness some lads put on it. It's a very simple fix the only problem I'd the vibration is wiggling the coil off the plug and causing you a problem. You just need to keep it secure. I've used cable ties and lasted ages and others (more professionally) re threaded and been just as good. Cable ties wont melt unless they are in a fire or something. There is loads used in an engine bay. Secure it using one if you can and you will be grand

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"2nd from the left or right? Renault work the opposite way, gearbox/ passanger side is number1. Either the coil came off, (the plastic plug thing you push down onto the plug) if so then the bottom of the coil may be worn but shouldn't fly off it should sit in place, if so something blew it off. 2 the plug which screw into the head came out which means its was A loose, or B the threads are fucked and needs a new head or if your lucky helicoil but I wouldn't use one in that size/ application, to much pressure and reliability. Or 3 there is a small part on top of the plug, little metal but that can unscrew. The coil pushes down and grips onto it and is itself threaded into the plug (it comes as part of the plug) and may have been loose. It's like a nipple on the top of the plug might have came loose, it's rare but possible. Remove plug and check it has the nipple at the top ( nearest the bonnet as if its installed) if alls good then tighten then check the plugs threads for wear or bits of metal hanging off (where its after pulling threads from the head) or try pushing the coils on and pulling off different cylinders and see if ones looser the the rest or swap the over if the leads allow you. If ones looser try pinching it with a pliers it might get you a but extra but will need replacing. If it's a loose nipple, then tighten, loose coil then replace and a plug that wont tighten then it's a head replace and as you said may not be worth the expense second from the drivers side. When I looked at the screw that keeps the coil in place you can cleary see bits of silver metal on the end and brown at the top. Wheres all the other screws are brown so its definitely worn down metal inside there some where. Thats whats not holding the coil down tight like the rest of them. I even tryed swapping the screws and same thing but the screw held in the other coil beside it. "

Put some lock-tite into the hole and on the screw , push into place leave it for 6-12 hours to cure , it shouldn’t budge after that !

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Clicking noise is your bottom end away, it's more a deep clacking noise rather than clicking if I'm right? If it was the head gasket you smell it from a mile and would blow white smoke from the exhaust especially if your plugs wer blown out, so my money's on the big end.

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By *ohsirMan
over a year ago

Donegal Leitrim Sligo

"While this thread is going, I’mma do a quick hijacking!

‘07 Mini Cooper (R56)

While driving, the handbrake warning light seems to appear and disappear randomly.

I know for a fact I haven’t engaged the handbrake while going 120km on the motorway!

Even kept my nose open to smell if it somehow is even slightly engaged and nothing, no effect on the handling or performance, no reason to think the handbrake may actually be engaged.

Could this be something to do with the computer or could it be as simple as tightening/loosening the cable? "

I suggest topping up your brake fluid reservoir.

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By *oo32Man
over a year ago

tipperary

"Have a question

Engine stuttering an chucking

Engine light comes on

All while driving

When stopped the car is perfect just misfiring a little but engine light goes off an quite as a mouse..

Now the car made a mad loud clicking noise the other day engine lights came on like crazy its like the car had a seizure.

Anyway I popped the bonnent and found the second spark plug that popped out of the engine.

before that it wasnt a problem. I even put new plugs in it myself so the plugs are only like 2 months old...

Any ideas if its fixable and how? Are talking big money for rethredding or is that even possible?

Oh its a megane never let me down till now

Rethread....were the threads on the plugs that popped out damaged?you can get the kit to rethread...tho I would advise talking to a proper mechanic...they popped...so they weren't put in properly

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"While this thread is going, I’mma do a quick hijacking!

‘07 Mini Cooper (R56)

While driving, the handbrake warning light seems to appear and disappear randomly.

I know for a fact I haven’t engaged the handbrake while going 120km on the motorway!

Even kept my nose open to smell if it somehow is even slightly engaged and nothing, no effect on the handling or performance, no reason to think the handbrake may actually be engaged.

Could this be something to do with the computer or could it be as simple as tightening/loosening the cable? "

Your brake fluid is low, just top it up and it should stop this from happening

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Ok little update anyway

Car is losing power up hill

Engine light pops on once up the hill goes off fairly quickly.

I checked the coils one by one by plugging out the electric wire connected to them. Straight away engine cut out on the second one.

On closer inspection I took the coil out an notice the rubber part where the spring is that connects to the coil is split in 2. Plus the plasic around it looks melted.

I change the spark plug just to see well swapped them with the 4th spark plug. Now bare in mind I only changed them myself 2 months ago.

How on earth did that rubber split in half and the plastic bit melt? I think I found my problem. But isnt it a good thing if the engine cuts out as you cut of the electric cable that connects to it?

No white smoke an anything smelly coming from it but the exhaust pipe seems to be is stuttering about as in doesn't sound smooth.

I am completely lost on it tbh

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"While this thread is going, I’mma do a quick hijacking!

‘07 Mini Cooper (R56)

While driving, the handbrake warning light seems to appear and disappear randomly.

I know for a fact I haven’t engaged the handbrake while going 120km on the motorway!

Even kept my nose open to smell if it somehow is even slightly engaged and nothing, no effect on the handling or performance, no reason to think the handbrake may actually be engaged.

Could this be something to do with the computer or could it be as simple as tightening/loosening the cable?

Your brake fluid is low, just top it up and it should stop this from happening "

And either it's past brake pad changing time or you'll have to figure out where the fluid is coming out of... Most likely clutch slave if it is a shared brake/clutch reservoir, but I haven't worked on these cars, and especially not with the steering wheel on the right/wrong side, so can't be sure about it. It's bound to get worse if it's leaking.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Ok little update anyway

Car is losing power up hill

Engine light pops on once up the hill goes off fairly quickly.

I checked the coils one by one by plugging out the electric wire connected to them. Straight away engine cut out on the second one.

On closer inspection I took the coil out an notice the rubber part where the spring is that connects to the coil is split in 2. Plus the plasic around it looks melted.

I change the spark plug just to see well swapped them with the 4th spark plug. Now bare in mind I only changed them myself 2 months ago.

How on earth did that rubber split in half and the plastic bit melt? I think I found my problem. But isnt it a good thing if the engine cuts out as you cut of the electric cable that connects to it?

No white smoke an anything smelly coming from it but the exhaust pipe seems to be is stuttering about as in doesn't sound smooth.

I am completely lost on it tbh "

When your coil is not properly tightened on it's plug, you get a weak spark or no spark at all, and the more load you put on the engine the worse it gets (that's your hill part) as the more an engine is loaded, the higher the resistance to jump the plug gap.

When the resistance gets high enough, I expect that it is arcing to the cam cover/head from the coil directly, explaining your burnt boot.

Tapping/helicoil/gluing/whatever your coil in the correct position should definitely sort it out, if the coil itself is still sound. (They don't like either arcing or vibration)

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By *oo32Man
over a year ago

tipperary

"Ok little update anyway

Car is losing power up hill

Engine light pops on once up the hill goes off fairly quickly.

I checked the coils one by one by plugging out the electric wire connected to them. Straight away engine cut out on the second one.

On closer inspection I took the coil out an notice the rubber part where the spring is that connects to the coil is split in 2. Plus the plasic around it looks melted.

I change the spark plug just to see well swapped them with the 4th spark plug. Now bare in mind I only changed them myself 2 months ago.

How on earth did that rubber split in half and the plastic bit melt? I think I found my problem. But isnt it a good thing if the engine cuts out as you cut of the electric cable that connects to it?

No white smoke an anything smelly coming from it but the exhaust pipe seems to be is stuttering about as in doesn't sound smooth.

I am completely lost on it tbh "

You've an engine prob....either an egr valve or timing is off...spark plugs dont just pop...no engine is strong enough to just pop em out...

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It's just the coil coming off, I'd say replace it if the boot is broken and secure it by a cable tie or something if the threads are gone and you will be good to go. If its split and the vibration and lack of a screw is letting it go loose

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