Hey all, I'm new to this great forum, an amazing resource of experience here. This is my first query, second post. See my intro at Welcome.
Since I got my MGF Mark1 1997 registered I've travelled about 3000 km. The last 400 km or so it developed an inconsistent rough idle or intermittent miss, more noticeable with the A/C running. However, upon cold start it always idled beautifully, when warmed inconsistent rough idle would develop.
When driving in 1st or 2nd under very slight acceleration, an infrequent brief fraction of power loss would occasionally occur. Also, cruising under load, say a hill in 5th accelerating sudden power loss would occur, where 4th gear would need to be engaged with less peddle higher revs to have the engine run normally. Fast acceleration high revs through1st to 4th gear, that power loss may or may not occur. The power loss has always been intermittent throughout that 400 km driving. Until yesterday!
I thought the problem might be plugs or leads. Start with low cost and problem solve along the way with each change. So yesterday I installed new plugs and leads. When engine warmed the idling actually became worse, consistently, than it was before. So, I put the old plugs and leads back in, no change. Again put the new plugs and leads back in, no change. I wondered if when I was pulling and pushing plugs from and into the distributor cap it may have worsened a fault already there, since that was the only other component I'd handled. I don't have a spare distributor to replace to problem solve the issue.
I took the car for a drive down the road and it was frequently intermittently losing power, stalling, shuddering, through all gears. When I stopped to turn around and return home the engine stalled, it stated ok but driving back home was just as terrible.
Next I removed the distributor cap, rotor and back plate. Cleaned the brass components and the rest of the internals, then reinstalled. Started easily and the idle was good and consistently smooth. Another very brief test drive, it was just as before, terrible and I felt lucky I got back to my garage.
Is it electrical?
Is it a problem with the distributor? Made worse since that's the only component I've handled, disturbed a worsening fault, other than plugs and leads.
Could it be fuel?
Anyway, later since I don't have a distributor rotor nor back plate to change, I replaced the fuel filter. The old one seemed fine nevertheless. Another test drive down the driveway and again terrible. Undrive-able!
I've since pulled apart literally every electrical connector in and around the engine and sprayed electrical component cleaner there. I've pulled apart the Idle Air Control Valve and cleaned it, reset it. Tested the brown temperature sensor, as working. None of those things improved how the engine is still failing.
Nowhere within a few hundred kilometres and probably further, have a parts store with a distributor for sale. I'll have to order it online and wait...
I do also have an 1997 VVC (I bought having a failed engine) that should have a good fuel pump and a load of other working components, sensors. Like a parts shop in my garage, less a distributor. LOL
Now, from a cold engine, the engine starts easily, idles perfectly, for a while then begins to shudder and firesup again to an stable idle, shudders and again stable idle then stalls.
I'm open to all advice and suggestions as to the where the fault may be.