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My Vauxhall Vectra isn't running because I can't get the firing order right. Any ideas?

I recently replaced a head gasket on a Vauxhall Vectra B 1999 T-reg SRI estate petrol. The car was running nicely before being taken to bits to replace the head gasket. Once the head gasket was replaced and the engine put back together, I set up the timing using the tensioner on the timing belt, the arrow on the crank pulley and the timing marks on the camshafts, to be in line with the marks on the camshaft cover. The engine was then turned over by hand several times to make sure the timing marks all lined up. Once it had been turned over and they did, it was checked by two other mechanics and they are satisfied it is all set up ok. I refitted all the pipes and connections and also listened for the compression in the engine and could feel it in the turnover by hand.

I tried to start the car and it would run, but it was running very lumpy and constantly stalled, and even with my foot on the accelerator it still keeps cutting out, running for a few seconds longer with my foot on the pedal. I didn't number the HT leads coming off the spark plugs, and there are no numbers on the coil pack or DIS module so I don't know where each lead should go.

Asked on 7 September 2010 by auldyin

Answered by Alan Ross
We are not sure of the firing order of your car, but given that it is a four-cylinder, it will be either 1-3-4-2 or 1-2-4-3. You need to set up the engine with No1 cylinder on TDC (compression stroke), then check on the leads (the length sometimes helps) and replace them in the firing order. As a last resort you could just work on a process of elimination, ie try moving the leads around but always in the order of 1-3-4-2. If all else fails, go down to a breakers yard. If they have your engine (complete) then you can look at it. Lastly, always have a workshop manual when undertaking serious repairs to your car

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