Chugging Peugeot 106 - what does the noise mean?!?

Question

In simplest terms (I'm a big sissy girl!) my car seems to be making a chugging noise, a bit like a tractor but not very loud, when stopped in neutral. I've heard a noise like this before but a lot louder when my spark plugs went (and the bit they went to but sorry I can't remember the name of it...), and wasn't sure if it was this. The revs seem to be fluctuating slightly just under the 1000x mark when the car is still... The car struggles for less than a couple of seconds when starting but goes fine, possibly a slight struggle pulling away in first but other than that feels ok. Any ideas what is wrong with it?

Answer 1

The things you couldn't remember the name of that was replaced in your car is more than likely the distributor cap and rotor.
These can be bad....Or the distributor cap may have not been installed flush to the distributor.
The timing could be set wrong also.
If the timing is set wrong the car will miss some and when you step on the gas will make a sound kinda like a diesel engine. Sounds like a rattling noise. If the timing is off or the vacuum hose connected to the distributor is leaking or knocked off it will cause the same symptoms. The vacuum hose is connected so when you step on the gas your vacuum increases and inside the distributor is a centrifugal weight. When the vacuum increases it advances your spark. If it is not getting vacuum it won't advance the spark causing Pre ignition.
The sound is cause by the spark plug firing in the cylinder before the piston reaches Top dead center and is trying to force the piston down before it reaches the top of it's stroke.
Sounds like a can of marbles being shaken for a second. and greatly reduces power and fuel efficiency

Answer 2

short answer GO TO A GARAGE!
if it's quite a new new car it's probably not a serious problem and even if it does cost a bit to fix i say do it for your own piece of my mind as much as anything else.
if your car is a few years old and is starting to give you a lot of problems it's probably not worth getting fixed, in this case save money and buy the newest car you can afford, you'll be glad in the long run.
as a general rule don't buy anything more than about 5/6 years old and more than 70,000 miles.
i bought a then five year old car with 50,000 miles on the clock 18 months ago and have had almost no problems.
the only thing that has gone wrong with mine is the ignition coil went once, i had trouble starting the engine, it vibrated slightly and was only producing 3/4 power, but one trip to the garage sorted it out.
as the saying goes you get what pay for, ford toyota mazda and citreon are solid makes, while newer peugoet are much better than the old models.

Answer 3

Looks like a gararge mechanic will be rubbing their hands together. Possible causes
Spark plugs- worn, loose or dirty.
HT Cables - Loose or dirty.
or serious mechanical stuff - valves big ends etc.

Checks you can do.
Engine off- important!
open bonnet
waggle black wires a bit see if loose, push on if they are.
Wipe hands.
Spray front top of cylinder block with WD40.
Close bonnet, start engine.
If still chugging, drive to someone who likes getting their hands dirty.

Answer 4

Take the thing (distributor) off and give it a wipe chances are its damp. Get some damp start from your local motor factors and squirt the leads and distriutor when ever it plays you up.

Answer 5

Would there be grit in the petrol tank or water.If the petrol tank is almost empty she might pick up dirt at the botton of the tank.

Answer 6

Call me and we'll see how best and fast we can eliminate the problem (07783670968)

Answer 7

It means you bought french rubbish

Answer 8

Are you possibly , hideously overweight ,"have you wwwreleased the handbrake. is the boot empty of food?

Answer 9

There is a dead rat in the radiator and a potato up the exhaust...

Answer 10

Ugh...Peugeots.......