Sluggish automatic

When engine power starts to diminish, it’s bad enough in a manual, but when it’s an automatic like this 2001 Renault Clio 1400, then driving becomes a nightmare.

Once the Clio had been transported along to us, we confirmed that the problem was a misfire and that the 1400 engine was barely running on two cylinders. Two of the coil packs had failed and, despite our advice that all four should be replaced, the owner just wanted the two failed units fixed.

The spark plugs were showing signs of age, so we insisted that we couldn’t guarantee the new coil packs unless all four spark plugs were also replaced. After two new coil packs and four spark plugs were fitted, the Clio had full power again – for the time being at least.

We replaced the two failed coil packs, but it would have been a wiser option to do the others too.