Any Vauxhall mechanics on here.....??

[mistergixer]

Got a problem with MrsGixer's 51 plate Zafira A 1.8l 16v - the emissions control light is on, the engine is hesitating, idling roughly and is down on power.
Reading the error code via the pedal method, I got a P0304 code (misfire on cylinder 4).
I replaced the spark plugs yesterday (which were looking a little past it), and the fault appeared to have been cured - left the battery disconnected for several hours in order to reset the code, but the light remains on.
Took it for a test drive, and at first the engine ran fine, but then the issue returned again.

A quick google points to a number of possibles - spark plugs, coil, MAF sensor, EGR valve, ECU.

Obviously, I've eliminated the plugs, so I'm left wondering what else it could be.....

I'm going to remove and clean the MAF, and also check the EGR - but, it seems a little unclear as to whether the Z18XE engine actually has one. Can anyone confirm??

Any ideas from the BCF mechanics???
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Space Monkey #7
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[yambabe]

Firstly I should qualify here that I am a mechanical numpty but apart from the light being on I had the same symptoms on my 51-plate 2litre Peugeot 206cc recently.

Repeated visits to the garage failed to cure it at first, despite new plugs and a new coil pack. Turned out it was a faulty injector. The first visit they had replaced the injector at one end cos the gameboy thing said misfire on cyl 4. It only got fixed when they replaced the one at the other end, I'm still not convinced that they didn't count from the wrong end!

Anyway, point is that if it's fuel-injected it could be a faulty injector.
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[mistergixer]

Disconnected the MAF sensor, engine runs fine.

Reconnected MAF sensor, problem returns.

So, I'd guess that this points to the MAF sensor. Tried cleaning it, didn't resolve the issue.

Of course, being the Baby Jeebus' day, all the local parts shops are shut. So, my question is.....can I run it without the MAF sensor until I can get a replacement? What potential harm can running without the MAF sensor cause?
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Space Monkey #7
Don Eladio is dead. His capos are dead. You have no one left to fight for. Fill your pockets and leave in peace. Or fight me and die!
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[P.addy]

I drove my car with it disconnected permanently, they used to go all the time on that model

It will be fine, you might notice a little less mpg, but nothing to shout about

[Sload]

Just don't hammer it about like you nicked it and you should be fine. It measures your air charge which allows the gerbils in the ecu to adjust the shock rate for the wheeled hamsters hiding under the rocker cover.

As said your MPG will probably be a little off but it should run fine as long as you don't cane it about.

[Nb]

My first geuss if you have done the plugs and its still misfiring (once warm) is the coil pack....these are known to fail for fun on vauxhalls.
Is it actually misfiring? If its misfiring the idle will be low and it will hesitate and generally be down on power. Can you post a video of the engine running??
You can drive with the maf disconnected by all means but dont leave it too long. Testing the MAF without a scope is a pain, you could use a voltmeter to measure the max voltage on the signal wire (backprobing) which i would expect to be above 4 volts when revved hard.
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[mistergixer]

Disconnecting the MAF has not cured the issue, once the engine is warm the misfire returns.
Thanks Nb, I'll take a look at replacing the coil next probably.


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Space Monkey #7
Don Eladio is dead. His capos are dead. You have no one left to fight for. Fill your pockets and leave in peace. Or fight me and die!
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[Sload]

Should be able to test a coil with a multimeter, google for a refresh

[swampy]

[P.addy]

I may even have a coil pack I can sell you...

[mistergixer]