Loss of accleration, judding, coughing exhaust,

[Si_D]

Hi, my mums boyfriend serviced my car toda. Changed the oil, spark plugs, filters etc. He's not a mechanic but has done that kinda thing before to his and mums car.

Anyway, I started it up afterwards and it was shaking badly and the exhaust is making a terrible noise. Like coughing constantly. I took it out for a drive and the accleration has practically gone. 2nd gear is the worst, put my foot right down and it barely has effect.

Can anyone tell me what the problem might be and how much it might cost to get fixed. Thanks

[madman06]

check HT leads most are 1342 if thats not the problem check spark plugs

[woodchopper]

As above - it sounds like the plug leads have been swapped about or it is off a cylinder due to a faulty plug.

[Si_D]

They're brand new Bosch spark plugs and you cant really mix up the leads as they're all different lengths as well as being numbered.

If I check the plugs what am i looking for?

[wduk2005]

your looking for them being in the wrong place either on the plug itself or on the distributor, check that they are properly clipped on

[RATTER15]

The numbers on the plug leads maybe confusing, they be numbered in two ways, either numbered in order of firing 1342 or in order of cylinders from front of the engine to the back 1234 you say the plug leads are all different lengths, don't rely to heavily on this meaning they are in the right order, does it look feasible that you could put the leads on in the following order from the front of the engine plug lead No1 at the front of the engine followed by No 3 then No 4 then No 2 at the back of the engine.

[RATTER15]

It would also help to find out if the leads were removed from distributor cap as they may have been put back in the wrong order, this could account for the length of the leads being wrong. If the things suggested here are at fault A mechanic will put it right in 2 minute and probably wont charge you.

Good luck

[maxximus]

or it is possible the leads are correct, but he has damaged one of them in the process of changing the plugs, common enough if they are old leads. fire the car up at night and look for any sparks (arcing) under your hood.

[alvin100]

Before reading any of the other answers, I straight away thought that the plug leads are mixed up, so I agree with the previous answers. popping and banging, no acceleration, difficulty starting and running all point to a problem with the firing order, the engine is effectively fighting against itself!!

[Si_D]

The leads are definately in the right order, theres no way they can be mixed up.

I heard that Bosch plugs dont get on well with small ford engines, no idea why, even though they're recommended in the Haynes manual. I went and bought some NXG or whatever they are and changed them over.

No problems now.

Thanks for all the advice.