Engine malfunctions

Engine does not rotate when trying to start

• Loose or corroded battery contacts (Chapter 5).
• The battery is empty or defective (Chapter 5).
• Open, disconnected or loose contacts in the starter circuit (Chapter 5).
• Faulty starter solenoid or switch (Chapter 5).
• Faulty starter (Chapter 5).
• Electric starter gear or flywheel teeth loose or broken (Chapter 5).
• Open or disconnected motor ground jumper (Chapter 5).
• Automatic transmission in gears other than "Park" or "Neutral" or selector failure (Chapter 7B).

Engine turns over but does not start

• Empty fuel tank.
• Battery low (motor rotates slowly) (Chapter 5).
• Loose or corroded battery contacts (Chapter 5).
• Ignition system components defective or damp - (Chapters 1, 5).
• Open, disconnected or loose contacts in the ignition circuit (Chapters 1, 5).
• Worn, defective or incorrect spark plug gap setting (Chapter 1).
• Serious mechanical failure (e.g. camshaft drive) (Chapter 2A).

Engine won't start when cold

• Low battery (Chapter 5).
• Loose or corroded battery contacts (Chapter 5).
• Worn, defective or incorrect spark plug gap setting (Chapter 1).
• Ignition system malfunction (Chapters 1, 5).
• Malfunction of the engine management system (Chapters 1, 4, 5, 6).
• Low compression in the cylinders (Chapter 2A).

Engine won't start when hot

• Dirty or clogged air filter element (Chapter 1).
• Malfunction of the engine management system (Chapters 1, 4, 5, 6).
• Low compression in the cylinders (Chapter 2A).
• Malfunction of hydraulic valve clearance compensators (Chapter 2A).

Excessive noise when the starter is running or jerking when it engages

• Starter gear or flywheel teeth loose or broken (Chapter 5).
• Loose starter mounting bolts (Chapter 5). Internal starter components worn or damaged (Chapter 5).

Engine starts and dies immediately

• Open or loose contacts in the ignition circuit (Chapters 1, 5).
• Malfunction of the engine management system (Chapters 1, 4, 5, 6).
• Intake manifold vacuum leak (Chapter 1, 4, 6).

Engine idling erratically

• Idle speed control valve malfunction (Chapter 4).
• Malfunction of the engine management system (Chapters 1, 4, 5, 6).
• Dirty or clogged air filter element (Chapter 1).
• Vacuum leak in the intake manifold or hoses connected to it (Chapter 1, 4, 6).
• Worn, defective or incorrect spark plug gap setting (Chapter 1).
• Malfunction of hydraulic valve clearance compensators (Chapter 2A).
• Unequal or low compression in the engine cylinders (Chapter 2).
• Camshaft lobes wear (Chapter 2).
• Incorrect setting of the toothed belt tension of the timing mechanism (Chapter 2A).

Ignition failures when the engine is idling

• Worn, defective or incorrect spark plug gap setting (Chapter 1).
• Malfunction of high-voltage wires of spark plugs (Chapter 1).
• Idle speed control valve malfunction (Chapter 4).
• Incorrect ignition timing (Chapters 5, 6).
• Malfunction of the engine management system (Chapters 1, 4, 5, 6).
• Vacuum leak in the intake manifold or hoses connected to it (Chapter 1, 4, 6).
• Malfunction of hydraulic valve clearance compensators (Chapter 2A).
• Unequal or low compression in the engine cylinders (Chapter 2).
• Disconnection, leakage, or destruction of rubber crankcase breather hoses (Chapters 1, 6).

Engine ignition failures in the operating speed range

• Fuel filter clogged (Chapter 1).
• Malfunction or reduced pressure of delivery of the fuel pump (Chapter 4).
• Clogged fuel tank vent or kinked fuel line (Chapter 4).
• Vacuum leak in the intake manifold or hoses connected to it (Chapter 1, 4, 6).
• Worn, defective or incorrect spark plug gap setting (Chapter 1).
• Malfunction of high-voltage wires of spark plugs (Chapter 1).
• Ignition coil failure (Chapter 5),
• Malfunction of the engine management system (Chapters 1, 4, 5, 6).
• Unequal or low compression in the engine cylinders (Chapter 2A).

The engine runs erratically during acceleration

• Worn, defective or incorrect spark plug gap setting (Chapter 1).
• Malfunction of the engine management system (Chapters 1, 4, 5, 6).
• Vacuum leak in the intake manifold or hoses connected to it (Chapter 1, 4, 6).

Engine stalls

• Idle speed control valve malfunction (Chapter 4).
• Malfunction of the engine management system (Chapters 1, 4, 5, 6),
• Vacuum leak in the intake manifold or hoses connected to it (Chapter 1, 4, 6).
• Fuel filter clogged (Chapter 1).
• Malfunction or reduced pressure of delivery of the fuel pump (Chapter 4).
• Clogged fuel tank vent or kinked fuel line (Chapter 4).

Insufficient engine power

• Incorrect ignition timing (Chapters 5, 6).
• Malfunction of the engine management system (Chapters 1, 4, 5, 6).
• Incorrect installation or incorrect tension of the timing belt (Chapter 2A).
• Fuel filter clogged (Chapter 1).
• Malfunction or reduced pressure of delivery of the fuel pump (Chapter 4).
• Unequal or low compression in the engine cylinders (Chapter 2A).
• Worn, defective or incorrect spark plug gap setting (Chapter 1).
• Vacuum leak in the intake manifold or hoses connected to it (Chapter 1, 4, 6).
• Jamming brakes (Chapters 1 and 9).
• Clutch slip (Chapter 8).
• Incorrect fluid level in automatic transmission (Chapter 1).

Motor continues to rotate after shutdown

• Excessively high idle speed (Chapters 4, 6).
• Malfunction of the engine management system (Chapters 1, 4, 5, 6).
• Excessive contamination of internal engine parts by fuel residues (Chapter 2A).
• Engine operation at elevated temperatures (Chapter 3).

Backfires in the engine

• Incorrect ignition timing (Chapters 5, 6).
• Malfunction of the engine management system (Chapters 1, 4, 5, 6).
• Incorrect installation or incorrect tension of the timing belt (Chapter 2A).
• Vacuum leak in the intake manifold or hoses connected to it (Chapter 1, 4, 6).

When the engine is running, the low oil pressure indicator is on

• Low oil level or use of non-regulated type oil (Chapter 1).
• Faulty oil pressure sensor (Chapter 2A).
• Worn engine bearings and/or oil pump (Chapter 2).
• Engine operation at elevated temperatures (Chapter 3).
• Defective oil pressure relief valve (Chapter 2A),
• Intake pipe strainer clogged (Chapter 2A).

Noises in the engine

Preignition (detonation) or knocking sound when accelerating or under load

• Incorrect ignition timing (Chapters 5, 6).
• Fuel of the wrong brand (Chapter 4).
• Vacuum leak in the intake manifold or hoses connected to it (Chapter 1, 4, 6).
• Excessive contamination of internal engine parts by fuel residues (Chapter 2A).

Whistling or wheezing noises

• Leakage through intake manifold gasket (Chapter 2A).
• Leakage at the exhaust manifold gasket or exhaust manifold joint (Chapter 1, 2A, 4).
• Vacuum hose leak (Chapters 1, 4, 6, 9).
• Breakdown of the cylinder head gasket (Chapter 2A).

Knocking or rattling noises

• Malfunction of hydraulic valve clearance compensators (Chapter 2A).
• Valve actuator or camshaft wear (Chapter 2A).
• Worn toothed belt or tensioner (Chapter 2A).
• Malfunction in auxiliary units (cooling system pump, generator, etc.) (Chapters 3, 5 etc.).

Bumps or thuds

• Wear of connecting rod bearings (regular heavy knocking, with possible weakening under load) (Chapter 2B).
• Wear of main bearings (rattling and knocking, with possible weakening under load) (Chapter 2B).
• Piston shift (heard on a cold engine) (Chapter 2B).
• Malfunction in auxiliary units (cooling system pump, generator, etc.) (Chapters Chapters 3, 5 etc.).