My engine has the jitters!

[NJG]

I've just had a short journey back home, and while on the dual carriageway the engine started to stutter under load. The more load to the engine, and the more jittery the engine becomes.
At first no warning light, but when I "tested" the problem further with a bit of a spirited driving, the engine management light came on and flashed on and off.
After coasting for a little, the light went out and stayed out.
The problem is still there, but only under load . If I accelerate at low speeds, the problem doesn't occur.
I'll have to take it to the dealer, but any ideas?

I've had the coils replaced last year.

Cheers all

 

[Feel]

Coil Pack

 

[danieltm]

MAF? sounds the same prob as i had and a new maf sorted it.

 

[NJG]

Decidied to order one coil, and replace it myself.

I was told that I won't see any visual damage to the old coil, so will have to swap the new one in place of the others one by one to determine which one was faulty. Shame, as I'll need to take the car out for a jaunt everytime.

That's assuming there is only one faulty coil of course!

 

[Feel]

If there is only one, an RAC guy did this simple test on mine once - quickly pulled the injector connection off each one in turn (as in pulled it off, then quickly put it back on) whilst the car is idling (if it's lumpy at idle).

The one that doesn't change the idle, i.e. doesn't make it MORE lumpy is the one that's duff.

It sounds like yours isn't completely duff yet, but it'll not be long before it's completely shot and the car's lumpy at idle.

 

[NJG]

Cheers Phil

I'll give it a go.