Hi all,

 

Had an odd incident occur today - maybe someone might be able to shed some light on it for me!

 

Starting the car this morning it sounded a bit rough and the acceleration wasn't there. A short way down the road a light came on the dash - it's the one just right of the brake warning light, and usually comes on when the engine is cranked. After looking through the japanese handbook I have I think it's the exhaust temp. warning light?

 

The light went off after a few seconds, so I took it easy into a layby, during which time the engine started sounding healthy again. I stopped and pressed on a few of the plugs around the engine, and haven't had any trouble again so far.

 

It's been okay all day since, though after looking up the lamp, it occurs now that there was a little steam coming out of the tailpipes after I got home and switched off.

 

So, does any of this sound recognisable? Any ideas much appreciated!

 

Thanks,

Raz

 

 

It could be the temperature warning light for the cats?

 

They could be clogged up disrupting the exhaust gas flow!

 

Its the Lamda sensor (if thats how you spell it?). That was the first problem I had with my Z. Every time I stopped and let it idle the light went out.

 

Unburnt fuel is being chucked down the exaust and burning the cats. Sounds like you could be running lean or a there is a misfiring cylinder somewhere. Check all the connectors on the coil packs. They break EASILY and have a nasty habit of popping off when you boot it. Mine are now tie wrapped down!

 

Did it sound lumpy as though it was running on 5 cylinders?

 

Andy

 

 

 

Thanks Steve, Andy.

 

Andy, I think you've probably nailed it - having a cylinder off for a short while would definitely explain the engine sound and performance just before the light came on.

 

If I understand you right, getting an exhaust temp warning is probably normal if the cylinder was misfiring? This'd mean I should get the cylinders themselves checked out?

 

Raz

(wishing he knew a bit more about engines right now ;) )

 

 

Its probably not necessary to check the cylinders, however check the connectors going to the top of each coil on top of each plug. the other lead to check is the one to the ingnition amplifier its the silver finned thing on the front of the engine on the left, check it to make sure all of the pins are seated correctly as this caused the symptoms you described on my car.

 

The other option is to check the plugs as they are changed ever 60-70K I think, they should be platinum this can be checked by the blue rings on the porcelain part of the plug (Somebody correct me if Im wrong).

 

Nah, like Nexus said, no need to check the cylinders (I drove for quite a while with this problem) but do check the spark plugs and make sure the coil pack connectors CANNOT come of easily.

 

The Lamda sensor light will come on if a cylinder has been misfiring for a while because it is constantly thowing 'very hot' unburnt fuel out into the cats and they become VERY hot. Thats why the light goes out when you stop and just let the car idle, hardly any fuel!

 

The problem you may have now (if it was anything like mine).... you will probably need to gut the cats. Mine were almost melted solid. They clog up very easily after these kind of episodes. This is not much of a headache to do. Also, its recommended as an 'upgrade' anyway.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Andy

 

Thanks for taking a weight off my mind =)

 

The car's been well behaved since I first mentioned the problem - I must have pushed whatever was loose back into place, but I'll definitely keep an extra eye on the plugs from now on.

 

Many thanks again,

Raz