VAG-hag 0 Posted September 12, 2006 Good afternoon all. Got my C out to give her a good clean the other day & noticed she was ticking a little. After having a butchers I noticed the front middle HT lead shacking in time to the tick. When I grip the lead (ie press it against the side) the ticking stops. As you can prob tell I am not exactly spanner happy but I was wondering if it could be something like a loose spark plug? Thanks in advance guys!! 8) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VR6 0 Posted September 12, 2006 Loose HT lead perhaps?! :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VAG-hag 0 Posted September 12, 2006 Perhaps you could be a bit more helpfull & give advice on how to sort it! :) I do find this forum to be of great value but whats the point in throwing sarcy comments about! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jonny_L 0 Posted September 12, 2006 I don't think he was being that sarcy, check the that the shaking lead is connected properly at both ends. That's the first port of call. Quick word of advice, I'm sure someone will correct me if i'm wrong, but I heard something about not touching HT leads while the engine's running coz you can get electricuted. might just be an old wives tale tho! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VAG-hag 0 Posted September 12, 2006 Fair do's ya prob right, just havin a pony day so far. Cheers for the help Jonny_L. Hopefully have the old girl sounding sound..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VR6 0 Posted September 12, 2006 Yep, I wasn't being sarky (for once!) :) You should have a plastic HT lead tool as part of either the tools in the boot or attached to the bonnet stay. Or even better, buy a metal hazet tool from the group buy that was going on. Then just take the lead off and try re-seating it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris VR6nos 0 Posted September 12, 2006 As Tom said, remove and refit the offending lead and it should give a noticeable click when reconnecting, when the lead is removed try looking for signs of cracking or perrishing by bending the lead where the boot is near the connecting end and if there are signe it's time for new leads, try spraying with WD40 as a temp measure, with the leads being down in the head they get pretty hot and dry, WD40 is a dielectric isolator and will help this problem often by trying to sstop the path the escaping electrons are using to track down the side of the lead. NB Never spray WD40 or similar onto HT leads whilst the engine is running as it will ignite and cause a large flare of flame! i have done this just for fun when my leads were crap but you can be badly burned in a fraction of a second. Plus you will get a hell of a belt if you touch a leaking HT lead whilst the engine's running, Not advised! Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
double-6s 0 Posted September 12, 2006 You talking spanish again Chris??? :) A dielectric what??!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eatthis 0 Posted September 13, 2006 I don't think he was being that sarcy, check the that the shaking lead is connected properly at both ends. That's the first port of call. Quick word of advice, I'm sure someone will correct me if i'm wrong, but I heard something about not touching HT leads while the engine's running coz you can get electricuted. might just be an old wives tale tho! its no old wives tale iv had a belt from 1 woke me up i tell thee lol its not dangerous though but then again i repair tvs so am used getin whacked :lol: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ice White Socks 0 Posted September 13, 2006 Why would a lead make a ticking sound if it was loosely connected :? I had the same problem with mine when I bought it- exact same symptoms- I made the seller take it to his local VW specialist while I was there- it was the plug that had come slightly unseated by a turn or so- and was moving slightly under cylinder compression. he whipped the lead off tightened the plug- lead back on- no more ticking 8) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VAG-hag 0 Posted September 18, 2006 Sweet - I dint think it would be a big job. Now to find the plassy plug tool I thoght id never need! Cheers to all 8) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites