Hi All. My engine is playing up! It starts fine, but when i drive off, i get a slight stuttering feeling from the engine. Not a kangaroo type jumping but almost as if i'm not firing on all cylinders and not experiencing full power. After about 10 seconds there is then a surge of power to give me normal driving experience. The whole thing happens over again when i change gear! It is most noticeable when driving uphill (the engine seems to labour), but once over the hill and down the other side then the power surge thing happens again.

Quite worried about this - could it be something as simple as wanting new plugs (not been changed for about 18 months)? or something more sinister

Really need to sort this though as i work 20 miles from home!

Start with plugs and wires, if that does not clear it, read the TPS sticky at the top.

Hi. Changed the plugs and added 1/2 a bottle of redex to 1/4 full tank (possible blocked injectors?). Improvement of accelaration but still slow at attaining power. Thopught about wires but if they were faulty surely the engine woyuld constantly misfire? Anyone any other ideas?

Indeed... HT leads faults can often only manifest themselves whilst under load or in adverse (damp) conditions. The stock leads certainly don't last forever so, if you've done >50k miles, I'd be tempted to change them anyway (Magnecor make some good value replacements that will likely last far longer than the OEM versions). You can get them from for cheaper than direct from Magnecor with a club discount!

Mathew[/url]

Thanks for all the help and advice. Also, think that my baffle plates have collapsed in the exhaust! Would this contribute to the problem?

Paul