engine jerky when idling

[tearinghair]

Not sure how to describe this...my Fiat Panda engine is jerky when it's idling in neutral at traffic lights etc. Not coughing, just not very smooth. The spark plugs have been changed recently.
I'm not at all mechanically minded so it would be really helpful if someone could advise me if it needs to go to the garage to be sorted out; also whether, if nothing is done about it, it's likely to give up on me.
Many thanks.

[Answerprancer]

It could be one or two things: the spark plug gaps may be a bit out, that's easy to fix - just pop them out find out what the gap distance should be (from the car manual?) Using a feeler guage gently tap on the business end until it's a 'slip fit'.
It's possible the inside of the distributor cap (and/or outside of the rotor arm) could be a bit corroded, which is a five minute job with a bit of wet n dry paper. The HT leads could be crusty - feel them, they should all be relatively flexible. Check the air filter (take it out and look to see if it's filthy - if so, replace it (Halfords).

[tearinghair]

Thank you, Answerprancer - I'll try those.

[Toureman]

You need to give more details of your car, what year?

[AlBags]

You think Panda has a distributor and plug leads then?

[tearinghair]

06 reg, Toureman, Eleganza.
Albags, was that comment to me or Answerprancer? I did say I'm not mechanically minded... when i mentioned the possible solutions to my husband he said that he'd already changed the air filter and anyway the car doesn't have a distributor cap.

[Answerprancer]

No Al - I *assumed* perhaps I'm wrong, shame on me for trying to be helpful - do you have anything constructive to say ?

[ladybird49]

Fuel filter?

[TWR]

tearinghair, I take it there was no problem prior to you getting their plugs changed? where the plugs checked for cracks in the body? take them out & check, have the plug leads been put on in the right order? with respect to answer, the plugs are normally set to the car they are bought for its not that often they are out, if the car was right before the plug change then its up to the garage to put it right, do not be fobbed if they say its this & that, explain the car was right before the changed what you have stated.

[tearinghair]

OK, thanks TWR, I'll check.

[AlBags]

Well .. AP .. they could always use the starting handle, I suppose.

Replace Spark Plugs first.
Check connection from throttle potentiometer is ok and not corroded
Further problems could be ..
Crank sensor dirty or needs replacing.
02 sensor (lambda probe) faulty (unlikely)

[tearinghair]

I think you'll need to give me a link to an engine terminology dictionary and 'Car mechanics for duffers'....... OK, I get the message. Thanks.

[AlBags]

A Haynes manual would show/tell you ..
Failing that, do whay you can .. and ask workshop to look at others.

[AlBags]

Another one to check is the MAP sensor and connection.
I just serviced one of these today .. a 1240cc Petrol 2006.
2x Coil packs with leads.