I am experiencing loss of power and hesitation at low RPM. I hooked up a timing light to each spark wire and it appears my #8 cylinder is missing every now and then at low RPM. There also appears to be an intermitent "clicking" coming form the driver's side distributer cap that controls that spark plug. This might seem like a basic question but what is probably the problem? I checked and cleaned the cap. It is ok and is getting spark fine to the other 3 cylinders. The wire also appears to be ok. I'm going to buy a new spark plug and see if that helps. Maybe the injector? However, there does to be a slight gas smell from the exhaust. Coil? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

The clicking will be a spark misfiring, jumping to earth when it shouldnt.Check the lead resistance, flex it while measuring to see if there are breaks inside - IIRC 3k Ohms is spec (on the plug connector). check in the dark for visible spark track outside the cap. If the lead is ok, I would replace the cap for sure, and maybe the rotor, if you dont know when it was last done, or it looks well worn (eroded on the tip). Once a cap has started arcing, it burns some carbon into the plastic, and it will never really clean up again.
jp 83 Euro S AT

 

Hi Flott

Probably isn't this, but might be worth checking as it could be very nasty

http://www.landsharkoz.com/tt/bb/bbtb.htm

"Note that the camshaft in this area is hollow to allow the bolt to go through. When it loosens, it will only chatter for a short while, causing only a slight ticking sound from the end of the cam, near the gear. Then, shortly after the camshaft breaks just behind the gear."

 

jp,
Thanks. Resistance was about 3.9K Ohms, in line with the other wires. The wires are old and probably should be replaced. However, it does look like I should get new caps and rotors anyway. I will try them out and report back.

UKKid,
Man, I hope that is not the problem. That sounds like a big headache and $$ if so.

Thank you both!

 

If there's no obvious carbon tracking in the cap/rotor set & #8 lead ohms are OK , suspect plugs - often first point of search. The 'quick & dirty' is to pull (& read) some plugs - or simply replace the plugs. If you haven't yet been in there, take a peek! Have seen mismatched/wrong heat ranges etc., or just 'old age'.

 

Well, just thought I would report back. I finally got around into putting new caps, rotors, wires and plugs in. Wow, what a difference! The clicking is gone, the spark is constant and the thing really revs now. No hesitation at all when the throttle is applied. I still get a slight gas smell from the exhaust but the engine runs much better. The wires definitely needed replacement as the outside insulation was brittle and it cracked when I took the wires off. The rotors and cap were worn and/or burred and there were some black carbon deposits inside the cap. The plugs were probably alright but I replaced them anyway.

Thank you all for your assistance. As they say, "Now I'm firing on all 8 cylinders!"

 

Congratulations! Wonderful what a difference it makes isnt it? There is a lot power in the spark system and all your HT stuff needs to be in top condition to work well.
jp 83 S

 

yes due to the high costs of the wires ,caps ,rotors many cars are limping around badly in need of a basic tune-up . People often ask me how to get more power out of their S-4 .......often they simply need to get it running properly . Bad knock sensors bad hall signal generator and timing is retarded performance suffers . Everyone should mark off a 1/4 mile stretch of safe deserted road and do an acceleration test . Compare to the average numbers published in various magazines or on this forum . Explain that to the officer when you get caught ...Jim Bailey told me to do it !!