As title, sometimes my mk1 1.4 16v doesmt want to start, it cranks but i need to the hold the key in the start position for a good 10 seconds, and then it just fires up on either 2 or 3 cylinders and wants to cut out. If i press the accelerater down at this point it revs and seems to pick up and run as normal. Its jsut had new spark plugs, oil and oil filter about 150 mile ago.

 

There are no stored fault codes and it runs as normal when it does get going.

 

Any one any ideas what may be the problem, or where to start looking?

 

Cheers

When it's in 'reluctant mode' does the cranking sound normal, like it's compressing OK, or more even and faster like it isn't?

Engine code would be handy to know too. 

How many miles on the clock?

 

No it sounds completely normaly. I cant seem to find the engine code for it. Its got 56k on the clocks with a good service history

Coil pack possibly, or leads if it's AUA, AUB.

Heres a photo of the engine if you can teel which is it from ths photo? I did swap the coil packs for some 2nd hand ones that looked quite new when i changed the spark plugs. Could a coil cause this intermittent problem or would it eithe work all or non of the time?

It's a BBZ engine. Not sure whether a dodgy coil or two could give those symptoms, presumably you had the trouble before you started swapping in others?

 

Nice one for the that info  it actualy has a bit of a ticking noise n feels slightly vibratey in the car so i thought it meby had a slight missfire, thats why i changed them but it didnt make a diffrence