Will it drive for another few days?

HIB

Hi folks.
I've a small bit of a car problem. My other half is away for a few days, and he usually deals with all car issues, so ideally I'd like to wait till he gets home at weekend, and can look at it. So, really, I'm just wondering if it is safe to drive, or not, for the next few days.

Basically, I've had an engine management light on in it for a while. The light is on continuously, but car seemed to run OK. This evening, the light started flashing. And at the same time, the car started to 'vibrate' a bit at high revs. You can hear something different in the engine sound, and the vibration is much worse when you rev. Also, at the time it happened, the engine suddenly lost power for a split second (the revs dipped suddenly and dramatically, then went back up again), and now it feels really sluggish.

I don't know much about cars, but could it be that it's 'missing' i.e. not all cylinders firing? If that's what it is, can I continue to drive without doing damage? Or do I need to stop using it immediately?

I just need to be able to drive it for Wed-Friday, so if it can get through another 100 miles or so, I'd be happy.

Thanks in advance.
It sucks not having the OH around!

cml387

Can you say make of car.
But if it were a Renault I'd say a coil pack is on the way out.

Renegade Mechanic

Was gonna say the same thing. Regardless of make though, misfiring on account of failed ignition (which is the usual cause) usually means fuel isnt burnt and enters the catalytic converter, damaging it. A few days might be pushing it a bit op.

HIB

Toyota Corolla 2000.

listermint

When you say you just need to drive it for another few days does that involve just owning it till then and scrapping it afterwards?

You may cause irrepairable damage to the vehicle OR you may cost your self a fortune in repair costs.

Point is, someone here cant diagnose the issue for you, only point you in 10-20 ways that the issue could be resolved.

My advice would be to bring it to a competent mechanic and have it assessed. Unless you want to take a chance on it and potentially be mighty annoyed weeks end

mathepac

HIB wrote: »

Toyota Corolla 2000.

diesel or petrol?

HIB

mathepac wrote: »

diesel or petrol?

Petrol

Renegade Mechanic

mathepac wrote: »

diesel or petrol?

Cant believe that didnt dawn on me... Im too tried for giving advice tonight, calling it a day

HIB

Thanks for reply anyway renegade.... All advice appreciated.

cml387

HIB wrote: »

Petrol

If it is an ignition coil it is a while-you-wait job.

HIB

cml387 wrote: »

If it is an ignition coil it is a while-you-wait job.

Is it just a quick electrical test to check the coil?
How much roughly to replace?

listermint

HIB wrote: »

Is it just a quick electrical test to check the coil?
How much roughly to replace?

Swapping coils around to see if the misfire is still there is a 5 minute task, Yes. replacing them same or less time.

cml387

listermint wrote: »

Swapping coils around to see if the misfire is still there is a 5 minute task, Yes. replacing them same or less time.

In the end the opinion here is, bring it to a garage and suggest that an ignition coil may be gone.

Best case is that that's the fix. And you're on your way.
Worst case is that it's something more serious.
Either way, continued driving with a fault could cause more damge and a bigger bill.

dinemo6

Would you believe I had a very similar problem the other day and came on to Boards regarding it too..

Was coming up the M7 and after a while when I went over 70mph approx the car was vibrating/chugging.. It was around Roscrea so it was on a stretch where there was a uphill pull, the vibrating seemed not to be as flat on flat ground. And when I didn't go over about 60mph it didn't really vibrate but the car still felt sluggish...
It has been known to also do what the OP described where sometimes the engine/battery light would come on and she would seem to loose power for a second and pick up again..

My predicament is that I need to drive home to Limerick on Saturday....

Wonder would it ok to drive it down and take it to a garage below?

Wouldn't even know where to start up here looking for a garage, plus would prob be so much more expensive up here..

Any people would some motor knowledge have any idea what my problem could be?

Also - don't know if this would be connected but recently when turning/locking there had been a high pitched screeching noise coming from when I thought was front drivers side... Had the brakes checked and they were fine..

Btw it's a 1998 Peugot 106 petrol - she sounds old but has been going perfect!

HIB

listermint wrote: »

Swapping coils around to see if the misfire is still there is a 5 minute task, Yes. replacing them same or less time.

cml387 wrote: »

In the end the opinion here is, bring it to a garage and suggest that an ignition coil may be gone.

Best case is that that's the fix. And you're on your way.
Worst case is that it's something more serious.
Either way, continued driving with a fault could cause more damge and a bigger bill.

I can call on the way to work tomorrow. Just checking on Mick's garage there, it seems the part is only 20-30 euro. Does this sound right?

cml387

HIB wrote: »

I can call on the way to work tomorrow. Just checking on Mick's garage there, it seems the part is only 20-30 euro. Does this sound right?

Yes, it seems reasonable.

HIB

Thanks for all replies.
Will call in somewhere on way to work tomorrow.
Only changed the gearbox in the bloody thing a month ago .... never rains but it pours!

biko

Not DIY. Moved to main forum.

Nekarsulm

squeeling noise likely the power steering belt slipping when you lock the wheel fully. Not connected to the misfire in my opinion. New belt (tenner ?) or perhaps just needs tightenng.

sawdoubters

its just emissions light it does not affect the engine,usully bad petrol,bad gas cap,some car parts store will read it for you

Stavros Murphy

The bold amongst us might disconnect the wires to the injector and drive on till fixit time was convenient. No power to injector, no fuel in cylinder. No fuel in cylinder, no damage to cat. No power either, but enough to get around. BIL drove a corolla like that for almost a month till the swelling in his meanness gland went down and he replaced the injector. If the coil is going/gone(and they do like failing tbf), pop off the wires to the injector..personally I'd lash on a coil/injector but that's not always an option for everyone.