My Felicia (1300cc V reg) started to sound a bit lumpy when starting - a bit like 3 cylinders - but after a few seconds all would be fine and I just left it. Over the months it has slowly become worse and now sounds more like 2 cylinders and takes up to 20 seconds to clear. During this time it has had a service and the plugs been changed - no improvement. I would like to check them again but I am a bit worried about how to pull the ignition module off with out braking anything.

If the plugs are OK is the ignition module the next suspect ?

Thanks

Just unplug it and undo the socket head screws that hold it on. I would say that this would be a likely suspect, look for signs of high voltage tracking on the plug sockets - if present this is most likely to be the cause.

i had to take my 'v' reg to a garage as failed 100% to get the damn plug cover unit off, was sooooooo tight even they had troubles. plugs well shot at 29,000miles.

Thanks Fordfan and skoda.fr - now I know about the allan screws the ignition module came off no trouble. The plugs looked ok so I replaced the coil module with one from Skoda (no apparent equivalents) and of course it made no difference! I then replaced the plugs just in case with exact types from Skoda and replaced the Coolant Temperature Gauge Sensor which had been reading very low recently. Expecting nothing I gave it a try and hey presto it is running great. Whether the plugs make the difference or the wrong coolant temp feeding the ECU messed up the fuel mix and timing I don't know and I'm just going to leave well alone!