I'm having engine issues, it starts ok then just before it get up to full temp there's no power and it sounds really rough and it's difficult to keep noving. Eventually it clears itself and runs fine but there's white deposits in the exhaust now instead of the usual black. Any ideas or is it an expensive visit to the dealer?

 

You suppose to warm up the car other wise the ECU limits power.

If exhaust is looking white... it is running leaner.

What year is car? Last tune up?

 

2004 and it was serviced about 10 months ago. It's not the ECU limiting power, if it had a normal engine i'd say it was only running on two cylinders.

 

Is your coolant level stable.....or dropping?

 

I haven't checked but I will tomorrow. It's odd, it was fine this morning then driving home the engine warning light came on and for 3-4 mins it just wont go, I had trouble tryin to overtake some bicycles then suddenly it surges and it's ok for a while then it starts all over again then nothing for a while

 

Seems I always post this but I'll throw this out there...

catalytic converter

Have it checked. If you've ever had any flooding events, this is very likely to be melted/clogged.

Also, check your spark-plugs, wires, and ignition coils...as per the usual.

I bet it is one of those things.

BTW...you should also get the Check Engine Light (CEL) code read if you have not already...this can sometimes pin-point your issue. Once you get that read, post up what you find. Any store like pep-boys, autozone, car-quest, etc...can do this for you.

Good luck

 

Ok now I'm really confused.
I got a new coil and removed all the old ones but it wasn't that obvious which one had gone. One did look a little white so I replaced it and put everything back together. I thought if it wasn't that one then I would just repeat the process until I found the faulty one.
First time I tried to start it the battery which was pretty low before was now flat. I got a jump start from a friend but the engine just keeps turning over and not catching. It sounds like none of the plugs are firing.
I took it all apart and checked the lead were on the rightway round and that all the connectors were pushed in place and tried again and it just turns over and over.
What am I missing? I really can't understand please help!

 

It does sound like the cat has gone I had a similar problem with having no power then having little surges of power got the cat replaced and it was fine take it to a garage and get them have a look.

 

If you have white in your exhaust tips that means that the exhaust temps have been VERY HIGH!
That would indicate a clogged/restricted Catalytic Converter.
Either that or you've been running the car at track speeds on city streets.

 

looking at the cat after a drive(for glowing red) could indicate a clogged cat too!

 

So if the cat is the issue that means the car wont even start?
And it's not so much surges of power it was that it wasn't running properly then it surged when it started firing on both rotors again.

 

The cat. would not prevent your car from starting but it can cause other problems that could lead to that if it's not addressed. your cat. should have a warranty still as well as your engine core. Bring it in to the dealer to have it diagnosed. They'll be able to check to see if you have bad coils, plugs, or cat etc. Have you read the code yet?

If not you're just guessing when the car is trying to tell you what's wrong.

 

There's nowhere near me in the uk where I can get the code read plus as it now wont start I don't have a chance. Thing is it sounds like coils. I't had been a little hesitant for while but not much, then it got worse like it was only running on 1 rotor so I took all the coils out and checked them, now it wont start.
Thanks for your help but I guess I just need to get it towed to a garage.

 

If you have a jack and stands, you can pull the cat yourself and at least check it out.

There are some tough bolts to get undone, but in the end, you should be able to get it out.

Once out, you can inspect it to see if it is indeed clogged/melted. The description on my transaction from the dealer stated the cat. was "obliterated". You could also try and start it with the cat off...warning, it will be super loud and awesome. I don't recommend driving on it like that, but it might help diagnose the problem.

Good luck...you could also order a hi-flow cat. for replacement or even a mid-pipe (test-pipe).