Spark Plugs - Anti Pollution Fault

[Slinky]

Hi

I have a Peugeot 206cc 2.0 Allure(56 plate). Are the Bosch Super 4 spark plugs ok to use ?

Yesterday the Catalytic Converter failure and Anti Pollution messages appeared. After searching the forum it points to changing the plugs and coil pack first. the car is spluttery in 1st and 2nd gear with hardly any power.

Thanks

[Capncol]

Welcome to the forum.

Antipollution faults can be caused by many many things. It could well be plugs or coil pack, but just as easily something else, and at this time of the year, driving through deep water causing the monolith in the Catalytic Converter to crack is another.

Without knowing a bit more about your issue, it's anybodies guess.

Did the fault occur mid journey or at start up?
Could it be related to something such as "just put fuel in" or "Drove through a large puddle"?
When was it last serviced?
Mileage?
Type of journey, ie short trips in heavy traffic?

[Slinky]

Hi

Thanks for the reply

Did the fault occur mid journey or at start up?

Just after start up, pulled off the drive, went to pull out onto main road and no power. The catalytic fault came on first, then anti pollution and then ESP was not functioning.

Could it be related to something such as "just put fuel in" or "Drove through a large puddle"?

Fuel was put in the night before, from BP.

When was it last serviced? It is due a service.

Mileage? 34,000

Type of journey, ie short trips in heavy traffic?

Mainly short trips to work, about 4 miles, do try to do longer journeys where possible to increase the usage.

[Slinky]

One other thing to add as well, when cold, the engine would not start on the first turn of the key, it always took a second attempt to start the engine.

[gazza82]

Get the fault codes read ... that will help to pinpoint the problem.

Super 4's are fine ... use them in our 2.0 and much better. Then again not sure the original plugs were ever changed ... had Peugeot Lions in them.

[Capncol]

Slinky, with the type of driving you do, things will clog up quicker than long motorway journeys, so the obvious thing to do is carry out a service as it's due. Use the Super 4's and the correct grade of oil as the 2.0ltrs are prone to Hydraulic lifters pumping up. A thicker oil will make the problem worse.
See if this cures the problem.
You also said ESP came on? This is unrelated, which prompts another question- How old is the battery?

[Slinky]

Get the fault codes read ... that will help to pinpoint the problem.

Super 4's are fine ... use them in our 2.0 and much better. Then again not sure the original plugs were ever changed ... had Peugeot Lions in them.

Ok thanks for the reply.

[Slinky]

Slinky, with the type of driving you do, things will clog up quicker than long motorway journeys, so the obvious thing to do is carry out a service as it's due. Use the Super 4's and the correct grade of oil as the 2.0ltrs are prone to Hydraulic lifters pumping up. A thicker oil will make the problem worse.
See if this cures the problem.
You also said ESP came on? This is unrelated, which prompts another question- How old is the battery?

Ok thanks for the reply, just put the Super 4's in, it does seem to run a little better but still splutters in 1st and 2nd with loss of power, the plugs in there were Champion. Oil is around 11 months old so will change the oil and filter once I can get hold of some.

The other message is ESP and ASR not functioning. Usually comes on after Anti Pollution and Catlytic Converter failure. The battery was on the car when we had bought it 2 years ago.

[Capncol]

Spluttery sounds like a misfire. To check coil pack and injection-
Take it for a 10 mile run and take the plugs out again without mixing up which one came from which cylinder. (Pay particular attension to No1 cyl)
Are they all the same colour?
Do any of them look wet or oily?
Do any of them look like they haven;t been firing ? (still look new)


Try fitting the plugs into the coil pack, and making sure all the plug bodies are earthed to the engine metal work and have someone crank the engine while you observe for sparks. Hands off the coil pack and plugs while you do this or you risk getting a shock.
All plugs should have a strong blue spark, Are any of them not sparking or weak?

Any black/wet plugs point to an injection issue.
Any plug that still looks new, or weak/ missing spark at the plug points to coil pack

Please post what you find.

[Slinky]

Spluttery sounds like a misfire. To check coil pack and injection-
Take it for a 10 mile run and take the plugs out again without mixing up which one came from which cylinder. (Pay particular attension to No1 cyl)
Are they all the same colour?
Do any of them look wet or oily?
Do any of them look like they haven;t been firing ? (still look new)


Try fitting the plugs into the coil pack, and making sure all the plug bodies are earthed to the engine metal work and have someone crank the engine while you observe for sparks. Hands off the coil pack and plugs while you do this or you risk getting a shock.
All plugs should have a strong blue spark, Are any of them not sparking or weak?

Any black/wet plugs point to an injection issue.
Any plug that still looks new, or weak/ missing spark at the plug points to coil pack

Please post what you find.

Thank you for your help with sorting this. When I removed the original plugs, the 3rd plug/cylinder (as you look at the car) was black, the rest of the plugs seemed ok. I won't be able to check the new plugs until next weekend due to work commitments.

I think I'm going to risk buying a coil pack as well ready to put on, it seems to be pointing towards this been the issue. Would you have any suggestions for a decent one ?

Thanks

[gazza82]

I bought a second hand one from 206cc-spares on fleabay .. and it's been working a treat since (over a year).

[Capncol]

the 3rd plug/cylinder (as you look at the car) was black, the rest of the plugs seemed ok. I won't be able to check the new plugs until next weekend due to work commitments.

I think I'm going to risk buying a coil pack as well ready to put on, it seems to be pointing towards this been the issue. Would you have any suggestions for a decent one ?

Thanks

Hold on. Was the plug dry & black or wet & black? Please answer this before buying coil pk.

[Slinky]

the 3rd plug/cylinder (as you look at the car) was black, the rest of the plugs seemed ok. I won't be able to check the new plugs until next weekend due to work commitments.

I think I'm going to risk buying a coil pack as well ready to put on, it seems to be pointing towards this been the issue. Would you have any suggestions for a decent one ?

Thanks

Hold on. Was the plug dry & black or wet & black? Please answer this before buying coil pk.

The plug was dry and black when I pulled it out. The plugs were Champion brand

[Slinky]

Hi

Not sure if you will make it out from the picture but here's the spark plugs

[Capncol]

That's more like an injector fault than coil pk. Worth trying injector cleaner, Best take the fuel filter out and empty it of fuel and refill with injector cleaner. Refit filter, put remainder in tank and take it for a run. To double check you could swap no3 injector with one other and see if black plug follows the injector.